[Job Radar](https://jobradar.live/) / [Jobs](https://jobradar.live/ilanlar) / Chemist (Instrumentation) Active Not specified Sterling, Virginia Posted · 28.09.2026 USAJOBS # Chemist (Instrumentation) Drug Enforcement Administration This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Operational Support Division, Office of Forensic Sciences, Special Testing and Research Laboratory. This position(s) primary purpose is to serves as an agency and international subject matter expert and technical leader in the application and development of laboratory instrumentation for the analysis of illicit drug materials to elicit critical information used by the forensic, intelligence, and enforcement communities. As a your typical work assignments may include: Serving as a lead scientist in instrumental analysis as it relates to operating and monitoring a specific category of laboratory instrumentation (mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), separation technology, and spectroscopic techniques) Serving as the point of contact for implementation of new testing procedures, instrumentation or methodologies across DEA. Assisting as needed in the elucidation and interrogation of unknown substances received from the field, foreign and domestic laboratories and acting as the agency consultant in matters of difficult referral cases from state and local law enforcement entities. Presenting testimony in court proceedings based on laboratory findings and applications of the technology. Developing, planning, and conducting new research projects that investigate critical and/or difficult problems in a specialty area. For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility Applicants must meet the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of the announcement. If you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts with your application. Basic Qualification Requirements: Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND Applicants applying for the GS-1320-13 must meet one of the following requirements: A. Have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-12 grade level. Specialized 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. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate ALL of the tasks below :1) Exploring new applications of existing technology, evaluating technological improvements, and performing interpretive analyses. 2) Researching available relevant literature and forming a testable hypothesis before designing critical experiments.3) Preparing reports, scientific manuscripts, presentations and lectures based on research results. Applicants applying for the GS-1320-14 must meet one of the following requirements: A. Have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-13 grade level. Specialized 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. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate ALL of the tasks below : 1) Providing technical and administrative oversight for program development in the evaluation of new instrumentation and methods to improve the technical efficiency and/or scope of mission operations. 2) Providing information, advice, and consultation on unique and complex instrumental problems to colleagues in federal agencies, private Industry, and/or universities 3) Preparing reports, scientific manuscripts, presentations and lectures based on research results. Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement. See the qualification section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php. If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. This job was verified from USAJOBS. 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