The Planetary Sciences Division is seeking an AST, Physical Scientist (Science Missions), within the Science Mission Directorate, responsible for developing, coordinating and communicating science management procedures and documentation for life detection missions. You will work with and support diverse teams consisting of international and domestic partners, which will require handling sensitive situations diplomatically.

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. Conducts special studies for NASA Programs/Projects and its partners. Performs multiple functions, including planning, design, testing and evaluation, cost analyses, program and project management, and quality management for projects. Provides input to both research and flight programs as they relate to biology, chemistry and life detection. Performs multi-disciplinary research activities with national and international task teams that includes preparing and disseminating requirements documents and operations procedures, supporting data management, and communications. Engages in analytical experimental work to define mission requirements and assists with designing, developing, testing, and evaluation specialized instrumentation, data acquisition and display systems, and computer programs for science missions. Coordinates high-level research activities through competitive proposal evaluation and project execution. Coordinates and schedules high-level meetings and briefings, maintains and, as necessary, develops selected reports to assist senior level staff with the management of programs and projects. Foster a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champion NASA's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to create an environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.

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 probationary 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. To qualify for GS-09, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level: Supporting projects involving life detection/biosignatures; Working with scientists, engineers, project personnel and/or international partners to assist with implementing program requirements; and Assisting with gathering or reviewing information in support of a space or aerospace program or project OR b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field OR c) Completed 2 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field OR d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above To qualify for GS-11, you must have: a) You must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level: Analyzing and communicating project challenges involving life detection/biosignatures; Coordinating with scientists, engineers, project personnel and/or international partners to assist with implementing program requirements; and Reviewing technical information for a space or aerospace program or project to ensure requirements are met OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field OR c) Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field OR d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above 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. Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of graduate education only: Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Astronautics, Earth and Planetary Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Space Science. Other appropriate physical science, mathematics or engineering fields are qualifying if the major includes or is supplemented by one physics or engineering lab in: Electronics, Optics, Materials, Vibration, High Vacuum Theory, Heat Transfer or comparable field relating to aerospace instrumentation.

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 NASA Headquarters 300 E St SW Washington, DC 20546 US
• Name: NASA Shared Services Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-677-2123
• Email: [email protected]