NASA is seeking a physical scientist to advance understanding of atmospheric composition and processes including the atmospheric part of biogeochemical cycles. On this team, you will develop and deploy scientific instruments to gather data and publish results that improve our understanding of the climate system. You will also coordinate the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) and Network for Detection of Atmospheric Change (NDACC) efforts, and cultivate new science objectives.

Duties

Duties described below are at the full-performance level. Duties assigned at a lower grade level will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee. Conduct studies to advance understanding of atmospheric composition and processes including the atmospheric part of biogeochemical cycles using aircraft, ground-based, and space-borne remote sensing observations as well as in situ measurements. Conceive field campaigns and develop proposals in response to science-driven hypotheses that address NASA focus areas. Act as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator in conceiving and advocating for the investigation. Work with a team of physical scientists and engineers in instrument definition, design, development, or characterization focusing on greenhouse gas atmosphere-biosphere exchange studies. Study and develop new innovative techniques, including the use of machine learning tools for processing big data, which extend the understanding of atmospheric composition on a global scale. Coordinate the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) and NDACC (Network for detection of atmospheric change) communities. Identify, develop, and facilitate the transfer of federally owned or originated technology resulting from research, development, design, or other technological advancement resulting from the accomplishment of assigned duties and responsibilities. Support current and planned NASA Earth Science Decadal Survey satellite missions. Help define algorithms used to retrieve data and participate in efforts to validate data via correlative measurements/interpretations.

Requirements

• This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation
• You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement
• This position may require a one-year trial period

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement. Vacant research positions may be filled at one of several grade levels depending upon the scientific impact of the person selected. A review may be required to determine the appropriate grade level of the position and supplemental materials may be required from the selectee. Please keep this in mind when indicating the lowest grade you will accept. To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the federal sector: Characterizing a trace gas instrument in collaboration with a team that leads to an improved understanding of atmospheric composition and processes including the atmospheric part of biogeochemical cycles; Participating in a major field campaign and co-authoring peer-reviewed publications involving trace gas remote sensing from satellites in national or international scientific journals; Co-investigator on funded proposals for research involving trace gas remote sensing from satellites. To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level Developing a trace gas instrument in collaboration with a team that leads to an improved understanding of atmospheric composition and processes including the atmospheric part of biogeochemical cycles; Co-authoring peer-reviewed publications involving trace gas remote sensing from satellites in national or international scientific journals; Co-investigator on funded proposals for research involving trace gas remote sensing from satellites. Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

Education

Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following:
a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs
b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science
c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus.

If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above.

Degrees in engineering technology are not considered qualifying for this position.

Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org.

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/.

Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Contacts

• Address Ames Research Center Moffett Blvd Mountain View, CA 94035 US
• Name: NASA Shared Services Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-677-2123
• Email: [email protected]