Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Molecular Genetics), IS-0404-09

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescriptionOPEN DATE: August 28, 2025 CLOSING DATE: September 11, 2025 (*This announcement will close after the first 100 applications are received, which may be sooner than the closing date) POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary NTE 1-year, may be further extended based on performance and the availability of funds PROMOTION POTENTIAL: IS-09 SCHEDULE: Full Time DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions? Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care). Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEWCome join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian’s unique complex and is one of the most visited museums in the United States. Its mission is to promote understanding of the natural world and our place in it. NMNH has a collection of 148 million specimens and artifacts. Each one reflects a moment in space and time and in these moments, we find Earth’s story.

The National Museum of Natural History is seeking an experienced candidate to serve as a Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Molecular Genetics) in the Laboratories of Analytical Biology (LAB). The LAB is the biotechnology core of NMNH research facilities. This position will support the NMNH partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Identification Services. The National Identification Services (NIS) coordinates and provides national-level identifications of plant pests in support of USDA's regulatory programs. Accurate and timely identifications provide the foundation for quarantine action decisions and are essential in the effort to safeguard the Nation's agricultural and natural resources.

All work performed will be in accordance with established collections management policies and procedures of the NMNH. This position will provide technical support for molecular genetics research and collections at NMNH. The incumbent will work with NMNH and USDA principal investigators and staff, as well as individual researchers on multiple projects involving genetic material from a wide variety of organisms, assisting with molecular genetic research, analysis, and collections following laboratory and informatics protocols and procedures with extensive independence.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESIn this position, you will conduct the following duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct laboratory-based sample processing, including routine molecular tasks and next generation sequencing library preparation and enrichment.
• Coordinates scientific, programmatic, and samples (including specimens, tissue and DNA) data management, within NMNH, as required.
• Collects and manages genetic data using standard protocols, bioinformatic techniques and resources.
• Assist in training of other technicians, interns, and volunteers and manage and organize daily field and laboratory activities at NMNH.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTSEducation and Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a master’s, or equivalent graduate degree related to the position, from an accredited college or university, and/or at least 3 years of related experience (described below); or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience required for this position that demonstrates possession of the following competencies:

• Broad and detailed technical knowledge of the methods, theory, and practice of molecular genetics and extensive familiarity with laboratory techniques used to genetically characterize organisms and biological communities through the interrogation of biological and environmental samples.
• Knowledge gained through experience with state-of-the-art laboratory, data management, and data analysis techniques to evaluate, optimize, and troubleshoot experimental procedures, and to independently generate high quality and reproducible data.
• Knowledge of the operation of genetic laboratory equipment when performing standardized procedures and repetitively producing the same type of product or assisting other technicians with the operation of more sophisticated equipment or equipment systems.
• Knowledge of data analysis and management techniques as they pertain to molecular genetic laboratory research.
• Knowledge and skilled in the use of spreadsheet, database, sequencing, and genetic laboratory research.
• Knowledge and skilled in the use of spreadsheet, database, sequencing, and genetic analysis software packages.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery." To Apply: Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

Applicants who wish to qualify based on education: Unofficial school transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) must be submitted with your application package by the closing date of the announcement. If selected for the position, you must provide official transcripts before appointment. Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package. Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins. What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager. Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NMNHStaffing@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures: Individuals with Disabilities | Smithsonian Institution (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities) The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: Office of Equal Opportunity | Smithsonian Institution (https://www.si.edu/oeo).