Serves as a Research Physicist at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) supporting science data interpretation and instrument operation required for testing In Situ Resource Utilization technologies for application to the Artemis Program. Supports the evaluation of technical data acquired from analytical instrumentation developed to harvest and quantify resources on the Moon and Mars which includes space-qualified mass spectrometers and associated fluids systems that collect and evaluate resources.

Duties

Perform advanced chemistry research requiring the development of mass spectrometer configuration and calibration for spaceflight environments. Develop, test, evaluate, research, operate, and maintain mass spectrometer data acquisition, evaluation and dissemination to support existing and new experiments for research applications, including payload developments. Lead and perform vacuum chamber configuration and testing for spaceflight environments, including procedural development, troubleshooting problems with standardized procedures and chemistry laboratory equipment. Use advanced chemical and analytical principles to develop spaceflight requirements and hardware for assembly, test, verification, validation, and documentation development. Lead professional and scientific project development, including proposal development, and maintains technical and laboratory safety proficiency. Foster a team environment that includes a diverse workforce, as well as mentorship and development of student interns and employees. Integrate research and technology development with multi-functional and interdisciplinary interactions, including those with avionics and software engineering. Attend meetings, conferences, briefings, and seminars related to program planning, technology development, and specialized testing. 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.
• You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• This position may require a one-year probationary period.
• Financial disclosure, drug testing, and/or the travel requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/directorate/division/branch requirements.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher level clearance. Investigation/clearance may differ and be required based on the duties/location/directorate/division/branch requirements.

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: Performing hands on laboratory hardware assembly for high vacuum systems for analytical and chemical instrument payload testing; Writing test plans, work authorizations and work steps for spaceflight instrument validation and verification; Data analysis of complex data sets, including statistical analysis and chemical instrument calibration. 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. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

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; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science, including digital computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations.

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://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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

Contacts

• Address Kennedy Space Center Space Commerce Way Titusville, FL 32899 US
• Name: NASA Shared Services Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-677-2123
• Email: [email protected]