Research Health Science Specialist

Full Job Description

Please note: There is no pay associated with this position. This position serves as a Without Compensation Research Biological Lab Technician within the Office of Research and Development (ORD).

The VA Research Program strives to promote Veteran-centered care to improve patient experiences and outcomes across VA healthcare and community settings, and to advance value-driven care by providing Veterans the highest quality care at the lowest financial burden.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/19/2026.

Experience: You must possess research experience in cardiovascular science and experience performing experimental techniques including flow cytometry, RNA sequence analysis, and confocal microscopy.

Preferred: Candidates with a record of publications in cardiovascular disease are preferred.

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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work is predominantly sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work.

However, there will be some walking, standing, bending and carrying of items of moderate weight such as large binders, banker style file boxes, meeting materials, papers, books or small parts.

Hand and eye coordination for delicate testing procedures may be the only special physical demand required to perform the work. Major Duties:

The initial application review cut-off for this job announcement is 50 applications. The first 50 applications received will be considered first.

Applications received after the initial cut-off number (50 applications) may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management.

Major Duties: Performs research in laboratory animals using biomedical techniques including flow cytometry and RNA sequencing. Analyzes data, writes manuscripts, and submits grant applications.

Presents research work at local and national conferences. Reviews and analyzes healthcare system operating and financial data as necessary in order to accomplish specific projects or tasks.

Presents findings, outlining specific results, anticipated ramifications, correlating factors, and appropriate recommendations.

Reviews data with appropriate staff elements to improve/enhance reliability and/or determine potential policy revisions or reviews. Prepares summary reports, memos, official letters/etc.

in response to requirements or tasks. Develops and sustains communication with other VHA elements, represents the research interests, and performs liaison activities.

Work Schedule: Full-time (Without Compensation)