Health Science Specialist - Research

Summary

The Health Science Specialist serves as a Senior Investigator responsible for independently planning, developing, implementing, directing, and evaluating complex scientific research projects within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This position is located in the Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Collaborative (MAVERIC) Core Laboratory at the VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHCS) in Boston, MA.

Duties

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***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 3 years). Term appointments are non-status, non-permanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 4). Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4 year maximum). The appointment to a Term position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Independently plans, initiates, develops, conducts, and evaluates complex laboratory research projects and scientific investigations.
• Designs experimental approaches, establishes research methodologies, develops hypotheses, and determines appropriate scientific techniques to achieve research objectives.
• Analyzes and interprets complex scientific data, evaluates experimental findings, and develops recommendations based on research results.
• Provides scientific and technical leadership in tissue banking, DNA banking, and related laboratory research activities.
• Develops and implements innovative research techniques, evaluates emerging scientific technologies, and resolves complex technical and methodological challenges.
• Coordinates research activities and provides technical guidance, training, and oversight to laboratory personnel, research staff, and collaborating investigators.
• Evaluates research progress, identifies operational challenges, and recommends improvements to scientific procedures and laboratory practices.
• Prepares scientific manuscripts, research reports, presentations, and other technical documents for dissemination at professional meetings and in scientific publications.
• Develops research proposals and pursues funding opportunities to support research activities.
• Collaborates with internal and external research groups to exchange scientific knowledge, coordinate investigations, and advance research initiatives.
• Participates in research-related committees, including Research and Development, Animal Studies, and Human Studies committees, as applicable.
• Ensures laboratory and research activities comply with applicable policies, institutional requirements, safety procedures, and research regulations.
• Maintains accurate scientific documentation, research records, and data necessary to support research integrity and program objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: Typically the employee sits comfortably to do the work; however, there will be some standing at the laboratory bench in addition to walking, bending, and carrying of supplies and shipping materials. The work is usually performed in a laboratory environment, office, meeting rooms, or similar settings. Travel involves the normal risks and discomforts of automobile, bus, rail, or air transportation.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. NOTE: A transcript is required at the time of application and must show date degree conferred. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration.

The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Knowledge and ability to apply scientific research principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement and Selective Placement Factors (SPF) above, to qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level, you must meet the specialized experience requirement.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the Health Science Specialist. Specialized experience includes independently planning, developing, conducting, and evaluating complex scientific research projects; developing and pursuing independent funding to support research activities; applying advanced laboratory techniques and research methodologies; analyzing and interpreting scientific data; providing technical guidance and training to research personnel; coordinating laboratory operations; ensuring compliance with research regulations and safety standards; and collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams to advance scientific investigations and research objectives.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

There is no educational substitution at the GS-13 grade level.

NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.