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CBER Employment

Background Information

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The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has unique opportunities for individuals with backgrounds in science or administration to fill positions involved in the regulation and research of blood, vaccines and therapeutics. Employment opportunities offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits. We invite you to submit your resume if you are seeking a challenging career opportunity .

General Position Descriptions

The following are some of the kinds of positions which may be available:

Physicians (Various medical specialties): Evaluate data involving the animal testing and human clinical trials of biological products to determine the safety and effectiveness. Basic qualification is a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy. Graduates of foreign medical schools must be ECFMG certified. Board certificate/eligibility in a medical specialty and experience is highly desirable for these positions. Civil Service salary for physicians (regulatory) is at the GS-14 level, plus an additional Physician Comparability Allowance of $14,000 to $16,000 may also be paid. Civil Service salary for Physicians (Research) is at the GS-13 level, plus an additional Physician Comparability Allowance of up to $15,000 may also be paid. These positions may be subject to peer review.

Scientists: Biology, Chemistry, and Microbiology: Scientists evaluate portions of biological product applications that pertain to their particular discipline. They create, plan and conduct independent research programs related to the development, manufacture, testing and use of biological products to develop a scientific base for establishing standards designed to ensure the continued safety, purity, potency, and efficacy of biological products. A doctorate degree in the scientific disciplines with at least two years post-doc experience is highly desired for these positions. These positions may be subject to peer review. Civil Service Salary is at the GS-9/11/12/13 level.

Consumer Safety Officer or Regulatory Project Officer: Perform management and liaison responsibilities in conducting records maintenance, monitoring the work effort and advising review team members on regulatory requirements, and coordinating information with manufacturers. Qualifications: a degree or combination of education and experience which include at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in the fields of biological science, chemistry, pharmacy, physical science, food technology, nutrition, medical science epidemiology, engineering, veterinary medical science, or related scientific fields. Civil Service Salary is at the GS-9/11/12/13 level.

Positions may be filled as civil service or US Commissioned Corps, both of which require US citizenship. Permanent US residents can apply for Staff Fellowship appointments in physician and scientist positions.

Benefits

Annual Leave
The Federal government authorizes absence from work, usually through earned leave for its employees. Annual leave (similar to vacation leave) is earned on the basis of years of Federal service. Full-time employees with less than three years of service earn 13 days of annual leave a year. Full-time employees with at least three but less than fifteen years of service earn 20 days of annual leave a year; and full-time employees with fifteen or more years of service earn 26 days of annual leave a year.

Sick Leave
Employees earn a total of 13 days of sick leave a year, regardless of length of service. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated and carried over from year-to-year.

Other Leave
Provisions are made to accommodate absences for reasons such as maternity, religious, military obligations, court attendances, etc.

Holidays
Government workers receive paid time off for the following days:

    New Year's Day, January 1st
    Martin Luther King's Birthday, 3rd Monday in January
    Washington's Birthday, 3rd Monday in February
    Memorial Day, last Monday in May
    Independence Day, July 4th
    Labor Day, 1st Monday in September
    Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October
    Veteran's Day, November 11th
    Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November
    Christmas Day, December 25th

For employees with Monday through Friday workweeks, if a holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday is a holiday; if it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a holiday.

Health Insurance
The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program is a voluntary contributory program open to almost all employees depending on the type of appointment. There are over 100 health insurance carriers participating in the program. Through these various plans employees are offered an opportunity to acquire for themselves and their families protection against the cost of health care services, including those involved in prolonged illnesses or serious accidents. The Government contributes to the cost of the plan with employees paying their share through payroll deduction. For additional information on the FEHB log on to www.opm.gov/insure/index.asp.

Life Insurance
Most Federal civilian employees are eligible to select low-cost life insurance provided through the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program. Participation is entirely voluntary and the cost of coverage is based on the employees' salary. The Government contributes to the cost of the plans with employees paying their share through payroll deductions. For additional information on the FEGLI program log on to www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp.

Retirement
New employees will be covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The FERS is a three-tiered retirement system comprised of payments from Social Security and Basic Annuity Plan, and a tax-deferred thrift savings plan. Currently, under the thrift plan, employees may shelter up to 11% of their salary from taxes and also receive a Government match on these savings of up to 5%. These savings can be invested in up to five different investment funds with interest earned being taxed deferred. For additional information on the FERS plan or other retirement plans log on to www.opm.gov/retire/index.asp. For additional information on the Thrift Savings Plan log on to www.tsp.gov.

Other Benefits

  • Training and Career development opportunities
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Federal Credit Union, Fitness Centers, Health Units
  • Participation and attendance at professional meetings

This Agency Provides Reasonable Accommodations to Applications With Disabilities
Equal Opportunity Employer
Smoke Free Environment

 

 
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