The Atmospheric Science Branch in the Earth Science Division is seeking an early-career physical scientist, to advance understanding of atmospheric composition and processes including atmospheric emissions of gases and aerosols for air quality and climate. The physical scientist coordinates for NASA's Disasters Response Coordination System. The scientist also cultivates new science objectives that drive formulation of future instruments and field campaigns to further scientific knowledge.

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. Conduct studies to advance understanding of atmospheric composition and processes including atmospheric emissions of gases and aerosols important for air quality and climate using ground-based, aircraft, and space-borne remote sensing observations. Conceive field campaigns and develop proposals that address science-driven hypotheses relevant to 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, and characterization focusing on atmospheric emissions, dispersion, and fate of gases and aerosols important for air quality and climate. Study and develop new innovative techniques that extend the understanding of atmospheric composition on a global scale, e.g., experience in the development of machine learning tools for processing satellite data. Serve as a center coordinator for NASA’s Disasters Response Coordination System. 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. 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.
• A one-year trial period may be required.

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 at the GS-12 level, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level: Characterizing and/or developing instruments for atmospheric emissions of gases and aerosols important for air quality and climate; Participating in field campaigns and co-authoring peer-reviewed publications in national or international scientific journals focusing on atmospheric emissions of gases and aerosols important for air quality and climate; Serving as Co-investigator on funded proposals for research involving atmospheric emissions of gases and aerosols important for air quality and climate. OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field. To qualify at the GS-13 level, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level: Conceiving field campaigns and developing proposals that address science-driven hypotheses relevant to NASA focus areas; Developing instruments for atmospheric emissions, dispersion, and fate of gases and aerosols important for air quality and climate; Co-authoring peer-reviewed publications involving atmospheric emissions of gases and aerosols important for air quality and climate; Serving as Principal Investigator or Co-investigator on funded proposals for research involving atmospheric emissions of gases and aerosols for air quality and climate. 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. Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of graduate education only (GS-12 level only): Any appropriate field of engineering, physical or computer science or mathematics. Study must include or be supplemented by six semester hours (or the equivalent) in appropriate life or other natural science courses and include or be supplemented by at least two courses which would provide knowledge of subjects appropriate to the vacancy being filled.

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