TITLE: Associate Director of Planning for Research and Development, IL-1301-00; $117,789 to $162,900/yr
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Fund (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: - Office of the Director
LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts

* Job Posting has been amended to extend the closing date.

This is the position of Associate Director of Planning for Research and Development, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). The incumbent of the position will be responsible for developing plans and strategies for future scientific programs at SAO, and for establishing and developing collaborations and research opportunities with external organizations. The incumbent will serve as a member of the SAO senior management team providing advice to the Director and representing SAO in the external scientific/research community.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All qualified candidates

DUTIES: Duties of the Associate Director of Planning for Research and Development, may include but are not limited to: leading the development of SAO’s strategy for future scientific programs, proposals and collaborations with external organizations; developing, maintaining, and utilizing an in-depth understanding of funding opportunities for SAO; developing strategic relationships with external agencies at the executive and scientific leadership level; fostering and developing opportunities for SAO collaboration with external organizations, with a focus on federal agencies such as NASA, NSF, NIST, DOE and NIH; providing strategic planning and management expertise to the Director in research/development planning, idea generation, and in the management of scientific proposals, collaborations and partnerships between SAO and external organizations; participating as a member of SAO senior management team in developing and implementing future scientific programs; relying on extensive knowledge of SAO scientific strengths and external funding opportunities, forms proposal teams with members from across SAO divisions to best position SAO to be successful in the proposal submission process; managing the SAO Independent Research and Development process to ensure strategic investment of internal funds; working with senior management at Smithsonian Institution (SI), to ensure that the priorities for future programs at SAO are incorporated and aligned with the SI strategic priorities; coordinating nominations of SAO scientists for membership on committees and Boards within the scientific community at a national and international level; and, conducting independent research in the field of astronomy or related instrument development. This position requires frequent travel primarily to the Washington, DC metro area.

QUALIFICATIONS :

A. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. OR

B. Combination 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. AND

C. One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-15 level. Specialized experience is experience that included developing plans and strategies, collaborations and research opportunities with external organizations for a large multi-million dollar scientific or research program.

Candidates who have the specialized experience as outlined above will be further evaluated according to the degree to which they possess the following job-related factors:

- Broad knowledge in the fields of astronomy or astrophysics; expert knowledge of the principles and practices of strategic and scientific planning;

- Expert skill in interfacing effectively with diverse external scientific organization (government, university, industry) with extensive knowledge of appropriate channels for funding opportunities;

- Broad knowledge of future trends in research and development programs generally and at external agencies specifically; and,

- Ability to develop long-range goals and strategic and business plans for a large multi million dollar scientific or research programs such as those of Smithsonian Institution or Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

How to Apply:

Application packages must contain the following:

- Curriculum Vitae

- Supplemental Experience Statement addressing each job related factor listed above. Your narrative for each factor should be written in terms of the action taken, the context or environment in which the action was taken, and the outcome or results from such actions. Each statement should be written with this vacancy in mind as all qualifications are directly related to the position being filled.

Complete application packages (including written narrative) are to be submitted to Recruiter #455 at the address below or to saoresumes@cfa.harvard.edu. Please be sure to reference Job Posting #10-01.

NOTE: SAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful/satisfactory completion of a pre-employment background check and subsequent background investigation. New employees are subject to background checks, including fingerprinting and a one year probationary period. Relocation expenses will not be paid. A recruitment bonus may be paid.

Please complete the Applicant Survey Form, which is used to collect information from candidates during the search process to evaluate the effectiveness of the Institution's search and recruit efforts. Please print all responses. The information provided is not a part of the selection process and will be used for statistical purposes only. Your voluntary responses will have no effect on your consideration.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Federal Government are both EEO/Affirmative Action Employers

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Mailing address:
Recruiter 455 (JP#10-01)
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
60 Garden Street, MS 17
Cambridge, MA 02138