Microbiologist

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Responsibilities

• Apply microbiological techniques to isolate, identify, and characterize fungal pathogens using molecular and culture methods and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Support public health activities through laboratory testing for outbreak response, surveillance, and environmental monitoring, including evaluating and improving laboratory methods, diagnostic assay development, interpreting scientific data, and ensuring the quality and reliability of laboratory results.
• Conduct laboratory experiments and scientific studies, process biological specimens, and prepare technical reports to support public health preparedness and response activities.

Requirements

Basic Qualifications

You must meet one of the following (A or B) in addition to the minimum qualifications:

• A. Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent.
• B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education to meet 100% of the requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service performing all of the following:

• Applying microbiological techniques to isolate, identify, and characterize fungal pathogens using molecular and culture methods and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Supporting public health activities through laboratory testing for outbreak response, surveillance, and environmental monitoring, including evaluating and improving laboratory methods, diagnostic assay development, interpreting scientific data, and ensuring the quality and reliability of laboratory results.
• Conducting laboratory experiments and scientific studies, processing biological specimens, and preparing technical reports to support public health preparedness and response activities.

Documentation

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. Provide exact dates of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part-time. Failure to provide this information may result in disqualification.

Federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties appropriate for their official series and grade level. Experience outside these duties is creditable if documented by satisfactory evidence (e.g., signed memorandum from a supervisor or an SF-50/SF-52). Include this documentation in your official personnel record to receive credit.

Experience includes paid and unpaid work, such as volunteer experience through national service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) or other organizations. Provide the average number of hours worked per week and the beginning and ending dates for part-time experience.