Research Chemist (Organic)
What you'd do
This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Forensic Science, Special Testing and Research Laboratory (SFL1). This position(s) primary purpose is to serves as a Research Chemist who synthesizes and/or purifies chemical standards used in the identification of controlled substances or to track illicit synthetic routes.
Major duties
As a Research Chemist (Organic), your typical work assignments may include: Developing, evaluating, implementing, teaching, troubleshooting, and enhancing new synthetic methods for the analyses of clandestinely produced drugs. Planning, evaluating, and carrying out or directing complex research projects related to the development of synthetic techniques for controlled substances Characterizing all synthetic products by qualitative and quantitative analyses using current analytical and instrumental methodologies and policy requirements. Serving as a consultant to federal, state, local and foreign forensic scientists. Presenting formal training and instruction to foreign and domestic forensic scientists and law enforcement personnel.
What you need to qualify
For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application. Basic Qualification Requirements: Applicants must meet ONE of the qualifications requirements (A or B) as described below: A. Degree: physical sciences, life sciences or engineering 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. AND Applicants applying for the GS-1320-14 must meet one of the following requirements: A. Have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-13 grade level. Specialized 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. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Conceiving, planning, coordinating, and executing basic and applied scientific investigations in the fields of organic chemistry, synthetic chemistry, and structural elucidation 2) Preparing reports, scientific manuscripts, presentations and lectures based on his/her research results. 3) Serving as the agency's expert in the theory and practice of organic synthesis as it pertains to manufacture of illicit drugs and related substances. 4) Maintaining scientific liaison with scientists from other government laboratories, academia, and industry. Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.
Before you apply
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