Automation Specialist

Full Job Description

Automation Specialist leading research to advance measurement science for the predictive engineering of biological systems.

Specializes in developing high-precision capabilities for protein engineering and synthetic biology as part of the NIST Engineering Biology Program This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Basic Requirements: 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

AND In addition to the basic requirements: Applicants must also have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 (ZP-II at NIST) level.

Specialized Experience is defined as experience with protein engineering, laboratory automation, genetics, molecular biology, and bacterial cell culture.

OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as defined in the additional requirements.

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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S.

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration Major Duties:

As an Automation Specialist of the Cellular Engineering Group, with the Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) Office at NIST, you will: Plan, organize, and conduct research to advance measurement capabilities and aid in the predictive engineering of biological systems, such as protein engineering, as part of the NIST Engineering Biology Program.

Design and execute large-scale measurements of protein sequence-function relationships. Data management of sequencing, measurement, and automation files.

Contribute to collaborative projects within the Group and Division, as well as extending beyond MML, and demonstrate a clear commitment to NIST values.

Support the development of protocols and laboratory automation methods of wetlab procedures, as well as approaches for new, quantitative measurements and validated measurements for evaluating the functional performance of engineered biological parts and systems, such as engineered proteins.