As a Research Astrophysicist in the Astroparticle Physics Laboratory in the Astrophysics Division at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), you will contribute to building an instrument of particle detector systems incorporating Cherenkov radiation detectors and silicon-strip detectors. The work will support NASA's Trans-Iron Galactic Element Recorder for the International Space Station (TIGERISS), which will measure the individual element abundances of cosmic-ray nuclei from Boron to Lead.

Duties

Contribute to building, assembling, integrating and testing instrument systems and components for the Trans-Iron Galactic Element Recorder for the International Space Station as a member of the instrument team. Participate in integration, evaluation, and performance optimization of electronic readout systems, including electronic board testing with vendor or custom software, for the Trans-Iron Galactic Element Recorder for the International Space Station. Run data collection, analysis, and simulation studies to define the performance of the Trans-Iron Galactic Element Recorder for the International Space Station. Document research activities for the Trans-Iron Galactic Element Recorder for the International Space Station through technical publications in a manner consistent with space-based projects and published results in professional scientific journals. Conduct an excellent program of research to address questions on the origin and dissemination of cosmic rays and present those research results through professional publications and scientific meetings. Develop procedures and techniques to process data from and enhance the performance of space-based and suborbital cosmic-ray instruments. Work collaboratively and effectively in a team environment comprised of scientists, engineers, students, project management and support staff at multiple institutions. 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.
• If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement.
• 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: Building and testing large-format, multiple component particle detector systems that use Cherenkov radiation detectors, silicon-strip detectors, or similar particle detectors and analyzing their data; Conducting studies of high-energy particle detectors, cosmic-ray detectors or similar instrument systems using analog and digital electronics and following standard practices, techniques, and testing procedures used in particle physics and astroparticle research; Publishing particle physics or astroparticle physics research results in professional journals and presenting those results at professional meetings. 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 Goddard Space Flight Center 8800 Greenbelt Rd Greenbelt, MD 20771 US
• Name: NASA Shared Services Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-677-2123
• Email: [email protected]