You will serve as a Senior Scientist of a team of X-ray astronomers with responsibility for initiating and performing independent original research, with emphasis on the development of high-angular resolution X-ray optics. This position requires leading investigations, developing requirements to meet goals, and carrying out analysis and interpretation of data. Researchers with a high-level of experience in the general field of optics are encouraged to apply.

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. Conducts professional instrumentation work directed toward discovering, disseminating, and applying new or expanded knowledge in high-energy astrophysics. Conceives and develops optics for high-energy X-ray missions. Leads the analysis and interpretation of data from MSFC-internally and externally developed instruments. Publishes results in peer-reviewed journals and attends professional meetings to present new results and to participate in discussions of related topics. Secures funding for MSFC X-ray optics technology development through the conception, construction, and execution of proposals to NASA and other federal agency opportunities. Acts as the scientific adviser to Postdocs, delivers presentations to project officials, managers, engineers and to NASA-Center personnel, and participates in outreach activities for the public. Fosters a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champions NASAs 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.
• A one-year probationary 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-14 level, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level: Supporting experimental pioneering research geared towards advancing our knowledge of the high-energy X-ray Universe; Responding to government or industry Research Opportunity Announcements or research requests for proposals (RFP); Providing guidance, and strategic direction for the development and testing of instrumentation (X-ray optics); Supporting projects or teams to collaborate with stakeholders and partners across organizational and institutional boundaries; Publishing as lead, and/or co-author, in peer reviewed scientific journals and provides technical reports for High-Energy Astrophysics, Optics, or related disciplines that demonstrate contributions that advance the field. To qualify at the GS-15 level, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level: Leading experimental pioneering research geared towards advancing our knowledge of the high-energy X-ray Universe; Responding to government or industry Research Opportunity Announcements or research requests for proposals (RFP); Providing oversight, guidance, and strategic direction for the development and testing of instrumentation (X-ray optics); Leading projects or teams to collaborate with stakeholders and partners across organizational and institutional boundaries; Publishing as lead author in peer reviewed scientific journals and provides technical reports for High-Energy Astrophysics, Optics, or related disciplines that demonstrate contributions that advance the field. 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 Marshall Space Flight Center Marshall Space Flight Ctr Huntsville, AL 35811 US
• Name: NASA Shared Services Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-677-2123
• Email: [email protected]