Interdisciplinary

Summary

About the Position: This position is located in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. This is a Direct Hire Solicitation. Advanced leave accrual may be authorized. Advanced in-hire may be authorized.

Duties

• Plan, direct, and execute complex laboratory studies and experiments to evaluate the pharmacological, biological, and toxicological effects of military-unique compounds and chemicals of interest.
• Develop, adapt, and validate advanced testing procedures and physiological exposure models while establishing and enforcing Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Analyze, interpret, and translate complex qualitative and quantitative experimental data, synthesizing findings into peer-reviewed manuscripts and technical reports to support evidence-based public health decisions.
• Author and review comprehensive toxicity evaluations and risk assessments to safeguard military personnel and civilian staff from acute and chronic occupational and environmental exposures.
• Perform in-depth scientific literature reviews to identify critical toxicity data gaps, establishing health-protective recommendations and safe exposure guidelines for materials proposed for operational use.
• Initiate and draft research study proposals to expand analytical capabilities, resolve toxicological uncertainties, and advance cross-functional projects through interagency collaboration.
• Serve as a technical authority representing the organization at scientific conferences, panels, and interagency working groups, delivering executive briefings on chemical processes, toxicology findings, and risk mitigations.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirements for Biologist (0401) Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Basic Requirements for Toxicologist (0415) Degree: toxicology; or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR GS-11: One year of specialized experience which includes Performing standard toxicological tests measuring the biological exposure impacts of chemical compounds; AND Gathering scientific research data supporting the development of occupational safety guidelines; AND Preparing draft technical reports summarizing experimental laboratory findings; AND Participating in scientific meetings representing project teams during technical information exchanges. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09). OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Biologist: Microbiology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology, or Biochemistry Toxicologist: Toxicology, Pharmacology, Veterinary Medicine, Biochemistry, Physiology, or Environmental Science. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience for GS-12: One year of specialized experience which includes Conducting toxicological experiments evaluating the physiological exposure impacts of specialized chemical compounds; AND Drafting technical risk assessments establishing safety guidelines plus occupational exposure limits; AND Assisting with research proposals identifying scientific data gaps through collaborative laboratory projects; AND Presenting scientific findings serving as a technical representative before professional working groups. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11). Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. Specialized Experience for GS-13: One year of specialized experience which includes Directing complex toxicological investigations evaluating the physiological exposure impacts of specialized chemical compounds; AND Authoring comprehensive risk assessments establishing occupational safety guidelines plus protective exposure limits; AND Formulating research study proposals resolving critical scientific data gaps through collaborative interagency projects; AND Defending scientific findings serving as a subject matter expert before external technical working groups. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12). Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/08/2026to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13052059). Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete. It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.