Microbiologist

This position is based at the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), Office of Science (OS), Division of Product Science (DPS), Microbiology Branch, located in Silver Spring, Maryland, within the Department of Health and Human Services. CTP is responsible for implementing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, landmark legislation passed by Congress in 2009 that established federal authority to regulate tobacco products.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and evaluating microbiological data, manufacturing processes, and testing methods.
• Reviewing study protocols and providing recommendations on study designs.
• Compiling and presenting data to support scientific recommendations.
• Delivering verbal and written scientific conclusions to stakeholders, including federal agencies, industry, universities, state and local or foreign governments.

Requirements

To qualify for this position at grade GS-11, you must meet all requirements by 11:59 pm EST on 08/21/2026.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• 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.
• Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Specialized Experience:

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-0403-09 grade level in the Federal service, including all of the following:

• Reviewing and evaluating microbiological data, manufacturing processes, and testing methods.
• Reviewing study protocols and providing recommendations on study designs.
• Compiling and presenting data to support scientific recommendations.
• Delivering verbal and written scientific conclusions to stakeholders, including federal agencies, industry, universities, state and local or foreign governments.

Education for GS-07 and above:

• Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D., or a completed Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field.

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; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.