Research Chemist

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Individual Occupational Requirements - Basic Requirements for Chemistry Series, 1320

A. 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
B. Combination of education and experience: course work equivalent to a major as shown in A 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.

Additional Requirements
In addition to meeting the basic requirements for the series described above, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.

GS-12: Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the duties of the position (e.g., degree with research focused on organic chemistry, chemical engineering, lipid chemistry, or analytical chemistry) OR 1 year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service OR a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience.

The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-12 level are:

• Conducting research related to biobased polymeric materials and developing commercial uses of vegetable oils, lipids, and their derivatives, and to increase the market value of these commodities; AND
• Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND
• Presenting research findings at scientific conferences or academic meetings, either in person or virtually.

GS-13: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience (defined below) equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service.

The specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-13 level are:

• Leading group efforts and conducting independent research related to biobased polymeric materials and developing commercial uses
  of vegetable oils, lipids, and their derivatives, and to increase the market value of these commodities; AND
• Publishing research results as the primary author in peer-reviewed scientific journals; AND
• Being invited to present research findings at scientific conferences, either in person or virtually; AND
• Working with stakeholders to enhance research efforts and/or writing grant proposals to expand existing programs.

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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.