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Research Chemist, ZP-1320-III (GS 11/12 Equivalent)

Department of Commerce
National Institute of Standards and Technology
This job announcement has closed

Summary

NIST works with industry and science to advance innovation and improve quality of life. We’re looking for a Research Chemist to join our team!

This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/18/2021 to 07/16/2021
Salary
$72,750 to - $113,362 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZP 03
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Gaithersburg, MD
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - To conferences, meetings and training.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - Not to exceed four years
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
03
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NISTNCNR-2021-0018
Control number
604812800

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Duties

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  • Develops research program with particular emphasis on scattering applications on a combination of the simulation and experimental works to address important challenges to understand the behavior of proteins in concentrated solutions to support a joint NIST-Merck collaborative research project.
  • Educates the scientific and technological community in the importance and practice of neutron scattering.
  • Proactive in attracting scientists, particularly those with no previous neutron scattering experience, to use the NCNR's facilities.
  • Proactive in helping collaborating scientists.
  • Produces publications and presentations of research results in a timely and effective manner.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered for Selective Service
  • You must be suitable for Federal Employment

Applicants must meet requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Degree: Physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.

OR

Combination of education and experience: Course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify, all applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level (ZP-II at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience in assisting with the development of theories to explain the experimental scattering results of concentrated protein solutions that need to be gauged by the computer simulations.

OR

Master’s or equivalent graduate degree

OR

A combination of experience and education.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done. We will credit all qualifying volunteer experience in your application.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required prior to a final offer of employment.

Foreign Education: Education completed outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with a course by course listing) is required with your application.

Additional information

The physical worksite for this position is located in Gaithersburg, MD.  However, the NIST Center for Neutron Research is currently under a maximum telework posture due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, this position is currently under a maximum telework schedule.  The position’s telework schedule will likely change in the future when the NIST Center for Neutron Research moves away from its maximum telework posture.  At that time, the incumbent will be expected to report to the physical work site in accordance with the updated status requirements of their supervisor.  The nature and scope of future telework opportunities will be subject to the unit’s telework policy, any applicable bargaining unit agreements, and supervisory approval.  Payment of relocation expenses, as applicable, will be paid in accordance with this Job Opportunity Announcement.  Non-compliance with the supervisor's telework-schedule requirement could result in adverse action,  including separation.

This position is covered under NIST’s Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS). The APMS is a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Find out more about the APMS here!

A trial period may be required. 

We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position.    

All applicants that meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Under Direct Hire Authority, applicants are not rated and ranked and veteran’s preference does not apply.

CTAP and ICTAP Eligibility: To be eligible for CTAP or ICTAP consideration, you must submit the required documents to establish eligibility (see required documents) and meet the minimum qualification requirements.  You may be contacted to provide a response to assessment questions related to the position. To be considered CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you must receive a well-qualified score of at least 85 of out 100 on your assessment responses.  Additional information may be found at:  CTAP/ICTAP.

Resume Guidance

Evaluation Process

CTAP and ICTAP Eligibility


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