Biomanufacturing Technician

US National Institute of Standards and Technology; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

NIST's Biomanufacturing Measurement Services team seeks a hands-on specialist to advance the science behind biological standards. You will execute precise molecular assays, manage complex cultures, and maintain sterile lab conditions to ensure reliable reference materials for next‑generation therapeutics.

This role requires either graduate education or substantial specialized experience in a relevant lab setting, enabling you to contribute to metrology and biotechnology research at the highest

Qualifications

• Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree in a field of study directly related to the work of the position.
• Combination of specialized experience and graduate education may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

Responsibilities

• Execute rigorous molecular assays to support production of DNA and RNA reference materials.
• Manage complex biological cultures and maintain pristine laboratory conditions.
• Handle and troubleshoot nucleic acid quantification assays (e.g., qPCR, RT-qPCR, dPCR).

Job description

Join NIST's Biomanufacturing Measurement Services team and help advance the science behind next-generation therapeutics and biological standards. In this hands‑on role, you will be critical to the production of DNA and RNA reference materials by executing precise molecular assays, managing complex biological cultures, and ensuring pristine laboratory conditions. This is your opportunity to make a massive impact at the forefront of biotechnology and metrology.

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION, APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Specialized experience

• One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-8 level (ZT-II at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as:
• Executing rigorous aseptic techniques, preparing sterile media, and maintaining strict contamination mitigation protocols within a biological, clinical or molecular laboratory environment;
• Managing complex biological inventories, including tracking and labeling samples with high accuracy to maintain organized inventories;
• Performing and troubleshooting complex biological, clinical or microbiological assays (e.g., cell, viral, bacterial);
• Performing and troubleshooting nucleic acid quantification assays (e.g., qPCR, RT-qPCR, dPCR or other PCR based measurements).

Education

Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree in a field of study directly related to the work of the position.

Combination of specialized experience and graduate education

A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

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.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration