Biologist

About the Role

The Smithsonian Institution is seeking a Biologist to support research work in Washington, DC. This role combines hands-on scientific experimentation with coordination support and scientific communication. The selected candidate will contribute to ongoing research projects, help organize program activities for team members and collaborators, and assist with preparing research outputs such as publications and presentations.

What You Will Do

• Perform laboratory- or field-based scientific research independently or alongside colleagues, depending on project needs.
• Help coordinate research workflows and broader program activities.
• Maintain reliable data practices by collecting, organizing, checking, submitting, and managing data through approved methods.
• Train colleagues, interns, fellows, postdoctoral researchers, and collaborating scientists on scientific protocols, data collection, data handling, and analysis.

Requirements

• You must already have career or career-conditional status, or be eligible for it.
• Male applicants born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Applicants for promotion must meet qualification requirements, including one year of time-in-grade at the next lower grade level, within 30 days of the closing date.
• A qualifying degree is required in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or another closely related discipline.
• Alternatively, an equivalent mix of education and experience may satisfy the basic requirement.
• You must also have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in Federal service.
• Qualified specialized experience includes research, analysis, and training in a molecular laboratory working with biodiversity specimens and environmental samples, including DNA extraction, PCR amplification, genomic library preparation, sequencing, and operation and troubleshooting of high-throughput robotic instruments.
• A master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree can also qualify.
• If qualifying through foreign education, you must provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for the foreign institution.
• Your resume must be limited to two pages and should clearly show how your background matches the role; do not reuse wording from the vacancy notice.
• Both paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer service, may count toward eligibility.
• Part-time and unpaid work will be considered when calculating total experience, and weekly hours should be specified.

Additional Information

• This role is not part of the bargaining unit.
• Recruitment incentives may be offered, but only if authorized and subject to available approval.
• Any approved incentive may require a service agreement to remain in federal service for a specified period.
• No incentive is guaranteed.
• Applications may be considered for similar openings across the Smithsonian Institution, and applicant information may be shared with relevant hiring officials for those opportunities.
• Candidates are expected to support the goals of the federal government, the rule of law, and the United States Constitution.
• The Smithsonian provides benefits that include vacation and sick leave, holidays, health and life insurance, accident coverage, and retirement options.
• Additional benefits mentioned include flexible spending accounts, health insurance, leave, life insurance, long-term care insurance, and retirement program options.

Education

See qualifications section.

Eligibility

This position is intended for applicants who already hold, or are eligible for, career or career-conditional federal service status. Candidates must also meet the education and specialized-experience requirements described above.