Summary The Research Health Scientist serves as a independent Principal Investigator and Team Leader for Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) service located at the Audie L. Murphy VAMC, San Antonio, Texas. The position functions independently in leading program research investigating the methodologies of cellular signaling and metabolic diseases of aging it relates to geriatrics and gerontology. Responsibilities Conducts original investigations related to involvement of cardiolipin metabolism in the pathophysiology, complications and treatment of metabolic diseases of aging, cellular disease mechanisms and signal transduction research. Participates in qualitative data collection and analysis, serving as the principal investigator of a currently active VA Merit funded research project in addition to federal/non-federal research agency funding actively received. Oversees and implements the scientific investigations conducted by staff. Evaluates results of research and assesses potential impact on VHA practice and policy. Prepares and actively submits grant proposals for funding of research projects and/or field studies. Leads team of staff in diverse research at all levels, coordinates research program function in a cost effective efficient and productive manner. Attains and maintains GRECC research funding and performance measures. Serves, at times as a collaborative investigator and at other times as an independent investigator. Sets overall objectives and identifies the resources available. Makes clear and convincing presentations, explains and justifies recommendations, and represents the agency and assigned program or project area. Establishes a systematic course of action for self to ensure accomplishment of specific scientific objectives. Sets priorities, goals and timetables to achieve maximum productivity leading to funding. Builds a logical approach and performs complex analytical tasks and interprets results that leads to a successful research program. Coordinates and conducts educational activities on topics relevant to the area of specialty. Utilizes influence and motivation techniques to advise on appropriate methods and approaches and to interpret, applies and recommends improvements to policies and review methods. Oversees, leads and implements the scientific investigations conducted by staff. Evaluates results of research and assesses potential impact on VHA practice and policy. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM-3:30 PM; To Be Determined upon selection 35 hours per week. Telework: Ad-hoc (Ad-hoc Telework) only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Research Health Scientist/PD671-2865-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/03/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR): The General Medical and Healthcare Series, 0601 occupational series requires specific education or experience to be met in order to be appointed into a position of this series. This IOR is set by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the following must be met: Education: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained. In addition to meeting the IOR above, applicants must also meet the minimum qualifications as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: investigations related to involvement of cardiolipin metabolism in the pathophysiology, complications and treatment of metabolic diseases of aging, cellular disease mechanisms, and signal transduction research; ability to perform complex analytical studies and interpretation of results to coordinate the evaluation of programs / research projects; ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, to make clear, convincing presentations, explain and justify recommendations; provide direction and guidance on critical and complex issues; develop new methods, approaches, and procedures in the coordination or research projects including clinical studies. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Knowledge and ability to design and conduct original investigations Knowledge and ability to successfully obtain funding Ability to communicate with, train, advise and collaborate Ability and skill for planning and organizing Skill and ability in problem solving Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.