Microbiologist

About the role

This position is located in the Research Service at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital (Madison VA) - a component of the VA Great Lakes Health Care System. The Madison VA Research Service represents a significant research enterprise within the Department of Veterans Affairs - hosting collaborative research activities dedicated to improving the health and outcomes of Veterans through rigorous scientific investigation, quality data collection, and sound laboratory methodology.

Qualifications

Basic Education Requirement

Possess a successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in microbiology, bacteriology, biology or chemistry with at least 30 semester hours in biological science and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences. Copies of applicable documents must be submitted at time of application such as an unofficial transcript and/or an academic evaluation report etc. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).

Required Coursework

• At least 10 semester hours in microbiology in such subjects as bacteriology, microbiology, immunology, serology, algology, mycology, parasitology, protozoology, rickettsiology, tissue culture, or virology.
• At least 10 semester hours in microbiology in such subjects as food, dairy, soil, industrial, public health, agricultural, applied bacteriology, or microbiology, genetics, physiology, metabolism, taxonomy, epidemiology, animal, or plant physiology or pathology, and similar courses, provided these courses were oriented toward the study of microorganism. (The remaining 10 semester hours may have been in other biological science courses.)
• Coursework in qualitative and organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics and college algebra, or their equivalent.

The quality of this coursework must have been such that it would serve as a prerequisite for more advanced courses in the field of science to which it pertains.

Experience for GS-9 Grade Level

In addition to meeting the educational requirements, applicants must have had appropriate experience in (1) the general field of microbiology, (2) one of the specialized areas or applied fields of microbiology, or (3) a field of science directly related and applicable to microbiological work or microbiological research as follows:

• Possess at least 2 years of professional experience in a microbiological science which shows that the applicant has (a) a general working knowledge of microbiology or of one or more areas of specialization, (b) a working knowledge of and ability to apply the methodology required, and (c) the ability to perform work independently.
• The quality of the experience, graduate study or combination of graduate study and experience must be such that it shows the applicant possesses (1) a knowledge and understanding of the laboratory techniques applied in the type of work for which the applicant is being considered, and (2) the ability to exercise independent judgement in evaluating and interpreting the results of his/her work and/or an aptitude for research work.
• For positions at GS-9 which involve a substantial amount