As a Research Astrophysicist in the Gravitational Astrophysics Laboratory, you will work with scientists, engineers, project managers, and support staff to contribute to the successful delivery of gravitational wave instrument systems. You will support the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, a space-based gravitational wave observatory, and will have opportunities to propose self-directed research to support the observation of gravitational waves or other areas of astrophysics.

Duties

Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee. Lead activities contributing to the successful delivery of instrument systems for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission including requirements development, verification, and integration. Lead the development of system-level models to characterize the instrument performance of the LISA mission. Represent the NASA LISA mission project team at technical interface meetings with engineers and precision measurement scientists from international partners including European Space Agency (ESA) and ESA member states. Document research activities and provide expert resources for the LISA mission through technical publications in a manner consistent with space-based projects and published results in professional scientific journals. Lead a cutting edge program of research to investigate areas of precision measurement science, gravitational wave astronomy, or other relevant science topics. Lead effective teams comprised of individuals of diverse backgrounds including 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. If selected at the lower grade level, your scientific impact will be examined in addition to other factors, to determine if you are eligible for promotion. To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level: Participating in multiple phases of an experiment life cycle, such as design, construction, operation, modeling, analysis, and interpretation; Contributing to the development of systems for the precision measurement of position, force, frequency, and/or time; Working with modern laboratory instrumentation and techniques, such as lasers, clocks, analog and digital electronics, digital signal processing, optics and optical metrology equipment, fiber optics, vacuum systems, temperature control, and clean spaces; Publishing precision measurement physics or gravitational wave instrumentation research results in professional journals. To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level: Serving in a lead role during multiple phases of an experiment life cycle such as design, construction, operation, modeling, analysis, and interpretation; Developing systems for the precision measurement of position, force, frequency, and/or time; Acting as a subject matter expert on the use of modern laboratory instrumentation and the advancement of associated techniques related to precision measurement such as lasers, clocks, analog and digital electronics, digital signal processing, optics and optical metrology equipment, fiber optics, vacuum systems, temperature control, and clean spaces; Publishing and reviewing precision measurement physics or gravitational wave instrumentation research results in professional journals. 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]