Posting 23-51

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all qualified candidates.

Note: Selection will be made at the grade 12, 13 or 14 grade level. If selection is made at the grade 12 or 13 level the selectee may be non-competitively promoted to the next higher level up to the grade 14, upon the recommendation of the supervisor based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance, qualifications of the employee and recommendation of the Professional Accomplishments Evaluation Committee (PAEC).

Summary: 

This is the position of Assistant Project Scientist for Planetary Science with the Smithsonian/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS) in the High Energy Astrophysics Division at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO).  The ADS, on-line since 1993, is one of the world’s great digital information systems and is expanding its services to serve all of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate Disciplines, including Planetary Science.

Duties: 

Duties may include, but are not limited to

1. Serve as the principal ADS scientific resource in the field of Planetary Science; advise ADS management on all matters relating to the field of Planetary Science and its research community.  Participate in representing the project to the Planetary Science community, including the Planetary Data Ecosystem and its constituents within and outside of NASA.  Assist in organizing relevant advisory groups.  Understand the Planetary Science community and its research needs.
2. Function as part of a team to design and, in collaboration with ADS staff, develop new and improved methods to search, discover, and use scholarly information relating to Planetary Science. Help design and develop new and improved methods to search, discover, and use scholarly information for interdisciplinary studies, particularly those disciplines in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
3. Serve as a research scientist at the intersection of Planetary and Information Science.  Attend meetings, give talks, write papers, and serve on committees, as appropriate. Maintain an active research program in Planetary Science.  Publish papers in the main refereed disciplinary journals.
4. Assist in the ongoing operation and maintenance of the ADS.

In addition to the duties above, duties at the grade 13 may include but are not limited to:

1. Design and, in collaboration with ADS staff, develop new and improved methods to search, discover, and use scholarly information relating to Planetary Science. Help design and develop new and improved methods to search, discover, and use scholarly information for interdisciplinary studies, particularly those disciplines in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
2. Serve as an internationally recognized scientist at the intersection of Planetary and Information Science.  Attend meetings, give talks, write papers, and serve on committees, as appropriate. Maintain an active research program in Planetary Science.  Publish papers in the main refereed disciplinary journals.

In addition to the duties above, duties at the grade 14 may include but are not limited to:

1. Conceive, design and, in collaboration with ADS staff, develop new and improved methods to search, discover, and use scholarly information relating to Planetary Science. Help design and develop new and improved methods to search, discover, and use scholarly information for interdisciplinary studies, particularly those disciplines in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
2. Serve as an internationally recognized expert thought leader at the intersection of Planetary and Information Science.  Attend meetings, give talks, write papers, and serve on committees, as appropriate. Maintain an active research program in Planetary Science.  Publish papers in the main refereed disciplinary journals.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements: A)Degree in one of a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science or electronics, including course work in differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy or physics; OR

B)A combination of education and experience equivalent to A above including at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of astronomy, space science, physics, mathematics, and electronics with required course work as shown in A above.

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts shown below:

Grade 12

A. Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree

or

B. A minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 11 in the normal line of progression for this occupation.  This experience includes producing publications and experience conducting independent research programs in an academic or research environment; knowledge of software development for planetary science data analysis and application of analytic techniques in a research or similar environment as well as experience advising technical staff.

     or 

C. A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and experience equivalent to the above

 Grade 13:

A minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 12 in the normal line of progression for this occupation.  This experience includes producing publications and experience conducting independent research programs in an academic or research environment which have answered important questions in the field; mastery of software for planetary science data analysis and application of analytic techniques in a research or similar environment as well as experience advising technical staff.

Grade 14:

A minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 13 in the normal line of progression for this occupation.  This experience includes experience identifying and leading major new scientific development initiatives; participating in research planning activities, including participation on advisory committees, scientific workshops, conferences, etc and supervising a diverse staff of scientists, technical and administrative staff.

Qualification requirements are derived from the Office of Personnel Management's Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1300/1330.htm. 

For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: We will only accept applications online for this position. To view the complete vacancy posting, requirements and the procedures to apply, please visit USAJOBS

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace.