Supervisory Research Health Scientist

Summary

The Supervisory Research Health Scientist serves as Associate Director for Research (AD/R), Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), responsible for and manages all research programs developed within GRECC having a regional and national impact on improvement of health and health care for older Veterans, as well as international impact on treatments and research related to aging non-Veterans. Duty Location San Antonio, TX.

Duties

• ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Supervising and managing research health scientist and basic laboratory program staff personnel, equipment lifecycle protocols, and overall operational requirements for six (6) assigned wet laboratories. Developing new methods, approaches, and procedures for active grant-funded research projects, including translational biomarker discovery using human biospecimens, molecular profiling, and disease models; these include both clinical and translational studies. Participating in qualitative data collection and analysis and serving as a Principal Investigator (PI) for a currently funded research program. Evaluating results of research and assessing potential impact on facility practice and policy. Performing complex analytical tasks and interpreting results leading to a successful research program. Administering all aspects for funded research to include complete execution of assigned project grant salary resources, multi-year and multi-source budgeting, development and management of Institutional Review (IRB) protocols for human-subjects and biospecimen-based studies. Performing work which affects the management and operation of effective and efficient projects and activities, including the continuation of approved ongoing research programs, initiation for new research, and/or the termination of disapproved research programs. Preparing and submitting grant proposals for funding for research projects and field studies. Developing and delivering presentations, providing and justifying recommendations for responsible area(s), assigned staff, specific programs and/or project areas. Hearing and resolving group grievances and employee complaints, mentoring, guiding and resolving minor disciplinary issues. Performing all other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad hoc telework. Ad hoc is defined as occasional, non-recurring telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Qualifications

This position includes two Selective Placement Factors (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placements Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The selective placement factors for this position are: Ability to independently design, conduct, and disseminate externally funded translational research on immune and inflammatory mechanisms of aging and their contribution to age-associated chronic disease. Investigate complement and anaphylatoxin signaling, immune senescence and inflammaging and the inflammatory consequences of complement-mediated barrier disruption in the context of cardiopulmonary fibrosis and related age-associated vulnerability, evidenced by a sustained record of peer-reviewed publications and research funding. Experience leading diverse, multidisciplinary geriatric research teams at all staff levels through collaboration, mentorship, and effective project management to produce rigorous, productive aging-focused research outcomes. Lead competitively funded project teams drawing on funding mechanisms available through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense (DoD), foundations, and/or public and private sponsors, and mentoring research staff and trainees within an interdisciplinary research environment. In addition to meeting the Selective Placement Factors above, you must also meet the following: BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: 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 at the time the degree was obtained. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lowered grade level (GS-13) in Federal service, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of the Supervisory Research Health Scientist position. Specialized experience includes providing direction and guidance regarding aging, infection, and autoimmunity research centered on advanced complement and anaphylatoxin signaling, immune dysregulation, and complement-mediated inflammation, with emphasis on how these mechanisms shape susceptibility to cardiopulmonary fibrosis, leading an active grant-funded project team, ensuring effective and productive research study efforts across collaborating disciplines including immunology, pulmonology, cardiology, geriatrics, rheumatology, infectious diseases, pathology, and computational biology. Developing new methods, approaches, and procedures for active grant-funded research projects, including translational biomarker discovery using human biospecimens, molecular profiling, and disease models; these include both clinical and translational studies. Providing clinical research program experience that includes developing project design and implementation within the field of aging, clinical data management, and resource management, preparing and submitting grant proposals for funding for research projects and field studies. Supervising, directing overall personnel management activities, administering all aspects for funded research to include complete execution of assigned project grant salary resources, multi-year and multi-source budgeting, pursues funding opportunities through National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense, foundations, and public/private sector grant approval, and development and management of Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols for human-subjects and biospecimen-based studies. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. Physical Demands: The work is sedentary. The incumbent will require being able to stand, bend, walk, read, write and carry light load items (e.g. policy and committee meeting binders, books, research glassware, chemicals, and specimens), sit at a desk, operate a computer and laboratory equipment, travel to regional or international meetings, and frequent use of both hands. Aversions to research laboratory and clinical environments (or related allergies) are incompatible with the position (e.g. problems with noise, vibrations, temperature, odors, safety precaution/equipment, or managed chemical, biological or radiological risks). For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. There is no educational substitution at this GS-14 grade level. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Requirements

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 required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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 interest. In 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.

Grade: GS 14. . Telework eligible. Apply by 2026-11-10 on USAJOBS.