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Description of Position
FDA chemists perform duties that include:
- reviewing and evaluating New Drug Applications
(NDAs)
- evaluating the adequacy of methods,
facilities, and controls used to manufacture drugs
- reviewing proposed labels, summarizing
findings, and recommending approval or nonapproval of the application
- conducting research projects that study
the effects of food components and dietary supplements on utilizing
essential and toxic minerals in the dieter
- investigating the effects of drugs,
antibiotics, and agricultural chemicals on cattle, small laboratory
animals, and other domestic livestock
Grade (Salary) Levels
The federal General Schedule (GS) grade
levels at which chemist positions are most commonly filled are:
- GS-9 through 13 at the headquarters level
- GS-5 through 12 at the field level.
(Note: Higher-grade levels in both
headquarters and field offices are available based on peer review
of individual accomplishments or supervisory responsibilities.)
For a list of GS-grade salaries, see
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/B5A.htm.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications required for all
grades in this position include:
- a degree in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering, which
includes 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work
in mathematics through differential and integral calculus and at
least 6 semester hours of physics
- a combination of education and experience-course
work equivalent to a major as described above, plus appropriate experience
or additional education.
To qualify for higher-graded positions,
candidates must have additional amounts of either specialized experience
or directly related education. The amount of additional experience
or education required depends on the grade of the position.
Geographic Locations
FDA chemists are located in headquarters
(suburban Washington, D.C.) and in facilities throughout the country.
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