Language requirements (e.g., Bilingual): Spanish preferred.

Both US citizens and non-US citizens are eligible

Position Title:  Senior Service Fellow (Research Microbiologist)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Center Name:  National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)

Location:  Atlanta, GA

Salary Range:  $99,595 - 129,472

Series & Grade:  0403-13

Work schedule:  Full-time

Appointment duration:  2 years with the opportunity for extension up to 5 years

Bargaining Unit Status:  Non-BU

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, some CDC employees have been authorized to work virtually.  However, when CDC is cleared to return to the campus, you will be required to report to the duty location identified in this advertisement.

Position

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the agency Americans trust with their lives.  As a global leader in public health, CDC is the nation’s premier health promotion, prevention, and preparedness agency.  Whether we are protecting the American people from public health threats, researching emerging diseases, or mobilizing public health programs with our domestic and international partners, we rely on our employees to make a real difference in the health and well-being of our people here and around the world.

This position is located in CDC’s Office of the Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases (DDID), National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases (DVD).

The Polio and Picornavirus Laboratory Branch (PPLB) has responsibility for supporting 1) the domestic polio vaccine program to maintain polio elimination in the United States, and 2) the Global Poliovirus Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1988 with the aim of eradicating polio worldwide.  As a Specialized Reference Laboratory in the Global Polio Laboratory Network, PPLB is increasingly being called on to provide laboratory assistance and technical expertise and support for surveillance and related activities to monitor the impact of polio vaccination.  The Polio Molecular and Development Laboratory (PMDDL) is the premier diagnostic assay reference laboratory in the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN).  The core work of PMDDL is to develop assays of polioviruses to meet the changing needs of the GPEI, provide support to GPLN laboratories in the form of consultations, training workshops, proficiency panels, and testing kits.

Duties

The incumbent will:

• Lead and/or independently conduct biomedical research projects using laboratory methods (both established and adapted) to further the mission of the organization, develop research proposals that demonstrate a thorough understanding of subject matter, relevant literature, research concepts and laboratory techniques in the field of microbiology.

• Follow sound laboratory practice and scientific theory when adapting standard operating procedures to address new research questions, analyze data to ensure validity and accuracy using advanced data viz systems. Contribute to the preparation of protocols, SOPs, training materials, or other products that document or communicate technical procedures or findings.

• Manage activities of a work group for a specific purpose and defined time, coordinate with team members on work plans, provide oversight of the work of students, less-experienced employees, graduate students and visiting scientists through training and mentoring as needed. Communicate effectively with external partners, internal partners and provide excellent customer service.

• Maintain a safe work environment and quality systems in compliance with the CDC Infectious Diseases Laboratories Quality Management System (QMS) and regulatory requirements, actively participates in the continual improvement of the QMS, ensure quality control and upkeep of laboratory and procedures, to include ordering and maintaining equipment and supplies, document control and competency assessments.

• Write, analyze, and synthesize research and study results into written documents and/or oral presentations, using tailored communication and data visualization techniques. Communicate oral and written information to various audiences. Prepare research findings, reports, and articles for appropriate audiences/stakeholders, including peer-reviewed publication. Make presentations at international and national conferences, and global laboratory meetings.

Qualifications

Basic Qualification:

Education

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.

or

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.

Agency Required Educational Qualifications:

• Doctoral level degree in the fields listed above;
• One year of related postdoctoral experience at the next lower grade level related to the work of the position in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations.

Highly qualified candidates would possess the following:

1. Fellow’s qualifications include, but not limited to knowledge of the principles, concepts, research methods, and techniques of microbiology; experience in design, optimization, analysis, and reporting of microbiological and/or molecular methods; demonstrated skills in performing training and/or technical workshops in the field; ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, to make clear, scientifically sound presentations, provide specific technical assistance; and ability to use interpersonal relationship skills to establish and maintain effective working relations with global partners.

1. Mastery of complex and unique microbiology concepts, advanced problem-solving and data analysis skills in the field is necessary for the advancement of projects. Assignments are driven by their global nature and areas of uncertainty in methodology, that result from factors such as programmatic changes driven by unforeseen events.

This position has an education requirement. Upon request, you must submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer. Failure to submit transcripts or indicated college courses information will cause loss of consideration for this position.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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://www.cdc.gov/jobs/future-applicant-information.html.

Conditions of Employment:

• Both US citizens and non-US citizens are eligible.
• Non-US citizens meeting the above degree and specified specialized experience requirements are eligible for noncompetitive appointments under this appointing authority. Citizens of countries on the Non-Aligned list (including China, India, and Switzerland) are eligible for this appointment. Citizens of countries that have been determined by the U.S. Secretary of State to be State Sponsors of Terrorism will not be able to obtain a security clearance to work at CDC and should not be considered for this appointing authority. Countries currently on this list include North Korea, Iran, Sudan, and Syria. See http://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm.
• Successful completion of a background investigation.
• Up to 25% international travel may be required.
• Language requirements (e.g., Bilingual): Spanish preferred.
• Medical requirements:  Polio Titer

Required Documents

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

EEO Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

How to Apply

Submit the following documentation:

• Cover letter or statement of interest
• Resume or CV
• College Transcripts

Documentation should be submitted to:

Nancy Gerloff at PPLBRecruitments@cdc.gov by 12:00 AM EDT [May 13, 2022]