RESEARCH BIOLOGIST, GS-0401-14, LABORATORY DIVISION, QUANTICO, VA (ALL U.S. CITIZENS)

This position advertised has been exempted from the federal civilian hiring freeze.
Current FBI employees are ineligible to apply if serving under the same conditions as that for which is advertised, including:

• Appointing organization (FBI)
• Type of position (full-time, part-time, etc.)
• Same or higher grade
• Duty location (city or state)
• Type of appointment (permanent, temporary, etc.)

Job Opening: 64537
Opening Date: June 2, 2026
Closing Date: Online applications must be received before 11:59 p.m. on June 7, 2026, or when 150 applications are received, whichever comes first.
Job Title Research Biologist Full Performance Level GS--14 Division Laboratory Division (LD) Unit DNA Support Unit Location Quantico, VA Working Hours 8:00am-4:30pm (Flexible) Job Type Full Time/Permanent Who May Apply All U.S. Citizens Number of Positions Available 1 Questions HRS Mary Arbelo at [click to reveal email address]marbelo@fbi.gov Salary $143,913.00--$187,093.00 Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.
JOB SUMMARY
This position will be responsible for driving the DSU's innovative efforts in establishing Rapid-DNA and IGG capabilities and will seek an external candidate with experience in DNA caseworking, new method testing and evaluation, and or validation and implementation of new procedures and with the knowledge, skill, and ability to spearhead innovation and establish/implement robust Rapid DNA and IGG infrastructures and/or support the LD's interests in innovation, new technology and the expansion of mission space.
KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Travel is required
• As a condition to employment, DNA samples are required from all FBI personnel who interact with evidence or federal DNA database samples in Laboratory Division (LD) space or whose work requires them to enter LD examination areas where evidence or DNA database samples are processed or examined as part of the quality control process to detect sample/evidence contamination, in accordance with the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), 75 Federal Register (FR) 68932; 29 C.F.R. 1635.8(b)(6).
• The individual that fills this position will potentially be exposed to situations or information that depicts violent acts, lewd images, or involves isolated working conditions

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is primarily sedentary, being conducted at the laboratory bench, desk, or at analytical instruments. Some walking, bending, stooping, and lifting is required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The research that is performed may require regular and frequent handling of chemical substances that are highly flammable and/or toxic. Special safety precautions are required and the research scientist will utilize protective safety glasses, laboratory garments and gloves.
MAJOR DUTIES:

• Serves as a leading research scientist in the DNA Support Unit by carrying out systemic and comprehensive studies that result in novel or improved analytical procedures or interpretation of forensic biological science.
• Identifies the areas of need or inadequacy and current FBI Laboratory analytical and interpretational protocols and proposes the research study paths.
• Serves as a technical authority in a biological science field(s) such as, but not limited to serology, human DNA analysis, non-human DNA analysis, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, molecular genetics, and immunology.
• Organizes and manages the activities of supporting personnel who contribute to the progress of research, validation, implementation, and training activities.
• Transfer of new techniques to the Laboratory's case-working and databasing units through lectures and technical training.
• Assists in the instruction of state, local, and federal forensic laboratory personnel during specialized classes.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATIONS
Please ensure that your specialized experience and requirements are clearly identifiable in your resume. Your application will be evaluated using the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documents will be reviewed to verify that you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
If you are found minimally qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.
The five competencies will be used in a Structured Resume Review to objectively evaluate applicant resumes. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the competencies identified below. Your resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies.
Competencies:

• Forensics
• Biology
• Organizing and Planning
• Analytic Thinking
• Communication

Positive Education Requirement
This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic educational requirement by submitting a copy of their college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
A. Successful completion of a 4 year course of study in an accredited college or university bachelor's (or higher) degree in physical science, biology, chemistry, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science.
OR
B. Completion of education and experience - education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.
Specialized Experience (SE)
GS-14: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Experience performing, leading, and published specialized and fundamental research projects to develop and improve laboratory methods used in the examination and identification of biological specimens for forensic casework applications and/or for human identification purposes.

HOW TO APPLY
For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on How to Apply . If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:

1. Utilizing the Resume Builder, outline your relevant work experience and associated start and end dates. Uploaded resumes will not be reviewed or used for qualification purposes.
2. Other supporting documents (if applicable):
   • College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
   • Former civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your MOST RECENT SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc. This is a requirement to verify your Time in Grade (TIG). Actions such as promotion, within grade increase, or reassignment actions must be submitted as your most recent SF 50.
   • Most recent Performance Appraisal; not applicable to current FBI employees
     Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later
   • Memorandum for Record (MFR): Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation:
     • Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties.
     • The month/year work began
       Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
     • Specific duties performed

Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."
While applicants might see these documents in their profile, HR Specialists may be unable to access them. Therefore, all applicants MUST upload another copy to ensure that staffing units can review the complete application.
Please note: Failure to provide the necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Incomplete applications will not be supplemented with additional requests for information; your application will be evaluated solely on the information you submit. You must complete the application process and submit all required documents by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the announcement's closing date.
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
• Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• Management may select any grade for which this position has been announced.
• If you are selected, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary Employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.
• The probationary periods will be served concurrently.

Veterans' Preference
If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.
Nepotism
Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative's appointment or promotion. During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.
Reasonable Accommodation
The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and/or hiring process, please contact the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by email at [click to reveal email address]REASONABLE_ACCOMMODA@fbi.gov, phone at [click to reveal phone number]202-324-2158, or fax at 202-324-3976. This email address is for reasonable accommodation requests only. Do not send applications or unrelated inquiries to this address, as they will not be considered.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex, pregnancy and related conditions, or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.
Benefits
The Bureau matches your dedication with a commitment to professional growth, a supportive work environment, and a robust benefits package that prioritizes you. As a member of our team, you'll enjoy comprehensive health and life insurance benefits, paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays. For more details about benefits available to all federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website .

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