Chemist
About the company
This position is located in the Clinical Pharmacology Program (CPP), Office of the Clinical Director (OCD), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Your tasks
The incumbent serves as an analytical chemist supporting clinical pharmacology and translational drug-development research. The position develops, optimizes, validates, and applies quantitative bioanalytical methods to determine concentrations of drugs, metabolites, and related analytes in biological matrices, supporting pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic investigations and clinical study objectives. Develop, optimize, qualify, validate, transfer, and apply chromatographic and mass-spectrometric methods, particularly LC-MS/MS, for quantitative analysis of small-molecule drugs, metabolites, and selected peptides in biological specimens. Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot HPLC/UHPLC and tandem mass spectrometry systems; investigate sensitivity, selectivity, carryover, matrix effects, chromatographic interference, and analyte stability. Design and execute sample preparation procedures, including protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction, and solid-phase extraction; prepare calibrators, internal standards, blanks, and quality-control samples. Evaluate assay performance, including accuracy, precision, calibration range, lower limit of quantification, dilution integrity, selectivity, stability, and reproducibility; apply predefined acceptance criteria and document investigations. Acquire, process, critically review, and report quantitative data; contribute to pharmacokinetic data interpretation and coordination with clinical pharmacology investigators. Maintain traceable records, SOPs, method-validation protocols, sample-analysis reports, and quality documentation consistent with applicable FDA/EMA bioanalytical guidance, ICH M10, and laboratory quality practices. Coordinate specimen receipt, inventory, storage, transfers, and disposition; train laboratory personnel and communicate analytical findings to multidisciplinary study teams.
Requirements
In order to meet the Basic Qualification Requirements for a Chemist, GS-1320, you must have: A bachelor's or graduate or higher degree in 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 A 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 Qualification Requirements for a Chemist, GS-1320-12, you must meet the Additional Qualification Requirement listed below: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Government obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Developing or adapting quantitative chromatographic and mass-spectrometric methods for analysis of drugs, metabolites, or related compounds in biological matrices; 2) Performing LC-MS/MS quantitative analyses and independently evaluating calibration, quality-control, and sample results; 3) Identifying and resolving technical issues affecting analytical method performance or data reliability; and 4) Preparing technical documentation, such as SOPs, analytical method reports, validation records, or study data summaries.
You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer. Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13097583
How to apply
This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to 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. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.