Health Science Specialist Research

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 3 years (September 1 2029). Term appointments are non-status nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 4). Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4 year maximum). The appointment to a Term position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment.

The primary purpose of this position is to manage and coordinate the Health Sciences clinical research program and provide direction to the study team. Duties will include but may not be limited to the following:

• Develops policies procedures and criteria for administration of the health science research program.
• Serves as principal advisor on research program development. Reviews project reports to assess investigators compliance with research program guidelines.
• Administers screening advisory and approval processes for the research program.
• Serves as executive secretary to the research committee.
• Develops and coordinates implementation of research method and design standards criteria and guidelines for the scientific and technical activities of the organization.
• Assists principals in preparing proposals and developing project presentation budget recommendations and resource allocations for proposed projects. Prepares in-depth background and management information for the Research Committee review.
• Recruits study participants screens and evaluate candidates for clinical studies.
• Manages data collection and monitors protocols for complex clinical studies.
• Administers administration of tests and measurements; records data from samples and specimens; identifies test results and trends for further analysis; prepares project administrative and statistical reports; and maintains study documentation and records.
• As a Senior Specialist evaluates new or modified legislation to determine its impact on the medical research community.
• Conducts studies analyzes data and presents results through presentations or publications.
• Makes programmatic and policy determinations. Identifies problems and negotiates corrective action concerning programmatic issues and basic financial management of the program.
• Determines the need for additional review/representation from scientific and medical practice specialties; and approves selection of reviewers and commits the agency to contractual arrangements for these services.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The work is sedentary. Typically the employee may sit comfortably to perform portions of the work. However there is periodic walking standing bending carrying light items such as medical records food trays instructional material books and manuals. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Required Documents below for details.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

To qualify for this Health Science Specialist - Research position applicant(s) must meet the following qualification requirements.

Individual Occupational Requirements Basic Education Requirement
Requires a Bachelors or graduate/higher level degree with a major study in an academic field related to the medical field health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED.)

AND
Specialized Experience: Requires one full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes working in a Health Services Clinical Research environment performing the following:

• Applying research study management and coordination to be able to provide direction to the study team.
• Developing policies procedures and criteria for administration research program;
• Assisting principals in preparing proposals and developing project presentation budget recommendations and resource allocations for proposed projects;
• Recruiting study participants screening and evaluating candidates for clinical studies;
• Conducting studies analyzing data and presenting results through presentations or publications;
• Identifying problems and negotiating corrective action concerning programmatic issues and basic financial management of the program.

NOTE: Experience must be clearly documented on your resume to receive credit. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at

Required Experience:

IC