Astrophysicist jobs in the United States

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Summary

This is the position of an Astrophysicist to serve as Deputy Director of the SMA, located in Cambridge, MA. In coordination with the SMA Director in Hawaii, the incumbent will provide guidance on SMA scientific priorities and program execution and oversee upgrades to SMA instrumentation and software to extend its capabilities. In addition, the incumbent will carry out independent research in astrophysics exploiting and exercising these new capabilities.

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates
  
  

Opening and closing dates 06/26/2024 to 07/12/2024

• Salary
  
  

$162,377 - $191,900 per year

• Pay scale & grade
  
  

GS 15

• Help Help Location
  
  

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Cambridge, MA
  
  

Cambridge, MA 1 vacancy

• Remote job
  
  

No

• Telework eligible
  
  

Yes—The selected candidate will be required to work on-site 3 days per week.

• Travel Required
  
  

Occasional travel - The incumbent is expected to travel nationally and internationally as necessary to attend meetings, conferences, etc.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed
  
  

No

• Appointment type
  
  

Permanent

• Work schedule
  
  

Full-time

• Service
  
  

Competitive

• Promotion potential
  
  

15

• Job family (Series)
  
  

1330 Astronomy And Space Science

• Supervisory status
  
  

No

• Security clearance
  
  

Other

• Drug test
  
  

No

• Position sensitivity and risk
  
  

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process
  
  

Credentialing

• Announcement number
  
  

24-53

• Control number
  
  

797158100

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This job is open to

• Individuals with disabilities
• Federal employees - Competitive service
  
  

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Special authorities
  
  

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

• Veterans
  
  

Clarification from the agency

This Merit Promotion position is open to Current Federal Employees and Former Federal Employees with permanent status or reinstatement eligibility. Individuals who are eligible for a special appointing authority may also apply such as Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A), former Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Vista volunteers; certain Military Spouses, or individuals eligible under various programs for Veterans (VRA, VEOA, 30% disabled).

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Duties

Provides scientific leadership for the SMA; guiding TAC selection criteria within SMA science objectives, providing guidance and assessing priorities of SMA scientific operations.

Supports the SMA Director in SMA strategic planning. Oversees development of long term priorities for SMA facilities and instruments, manages relationships with partners and advisory committees.

Oversees and directs the activities of the Radio Science Technology Laboratory (RSTL), including those supporting current and future upgrades of the SMA, as well as other endeavors. Keeps stakeholders apprised of developments, including the SMA Director and the AD of Science & Technology.

Leads and participates in efforts to develop capabilities that extend the scientific reach of the SMA, including wide-field mapping surveys, VLBI observations, and other special observing modes.

Conducts a program of observational research in radio, millimeter, and submillimeter astronomy, leveraging CfA facilities such as the SMA. Prepares papers describing results of research and developments for publication in scientific or technical journals and for presentation at scientific or technical meetings or conferences and within the CfA.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Pre- and post-appointment background investigation
• May be required to serve an 18-month probationary period for managers.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
  
  

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: One year of directly related experience (Federal or other) equivalent to GS-14 in the federal service. Specialized experience would include activities as a Physicist or Astrophysicist conducting astrophysical reserach and instrumentation development in millimeter and/or submillimeter astronomy The incumbent must have experience conducting obserations with a world class mm and/or submm radio interferometer.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

There is no education substitution for this position.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Important Note:

The review of your resume will determine your final rating and should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

Education

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Degree in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science or electronics, including course work in differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy or physics; OR
• A combination of education and experience equivalent to A above including at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of astronomy, space science, physics, mathematics, and electronics with required course work as shown in A above.
  
  

Additional information

• The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
• Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.
  
  

Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.

• The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.
• The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
  
  

Read more

• Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic education and specialized requirements.

Applicants that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

Advanced knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of millimeter and submillimeter astronomy, as evidenced by an advanced degree or comparable professional experience, research accomplishments and publications, and demonstrated capability to evolve the field and lead development efforts to achieve new capabilities previously unattained.

Skill developing scientific instrument concepts, plans, and proposals to internal and external funding agencies and execution of those plans.

Skill developing and exploiting hardware and software tools for unusual or novel observing modes of radio interferometers, and advanced data analyses of interferometric data, including the development of sophisticated automated processing pipelines.Ability to conduct independent observational research using major telescope facilities.

Skill in radio telescope array operations sufficient to oversee scientific throughput and guide associated engineering and operational activities.

Ability to interact and communicate effectively with diverse groups in the field of astronomy.

BASIS OF RATING: Once the announcement closes, your application will be automatically evaluated and rated by the system and a Human Resources Specialist. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your application and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of this position. If, after the Human Resources Specialist reviews your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that the score you have received is not a true reflection of your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect the information you provided that support your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

• Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  

Your Application Package Should Include The Following Documents:

• Detailed resume created in the USAJOBS Resume Builder.
• Proof of prior federal service such as the latest SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action
• Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
• Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreignstudy, if applicable.
• A recent performance evaluation
• Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy) if you are requesting a special appointment authority, such as VRA or VEOA
• Proof of severe disability if you are requesting special placement consideration
• Proof of eligibility for a military spouse appointment, such as a permanent change station military order
• Proof of eligibility for any other special appointing authority not specifically mentioned here.
• Statement of previous research (3 pages max)
• Research vision, plan and objections (5 pages max)
• Diversity statement (3 pages max)
• Names/contact info for 4 references
  
  

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
  
  

Please Note:

• You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
• You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
• The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
• If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
  
  

Agency contact information

HR Specialist HR Specialist

Phone 617-495-7374 Fax 617-495-7263 Email jgallagher@cfa.harvard.edu

Address SMITHSONIAN

Office of Human Resources

60 Garden Street

MS 17

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

United States

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): If you are applying for a VEOA appointment, you must be a veteran and must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. ("Active Service" under this law means active duty in a uniformed service and includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty, and attendance, while in the active service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned.) A veteran who is released under honorable conditions shortly before completing a 3-year tour is also eligible.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority:

• Primary Appointing Authorities for Career and Career-Conditional Appointments
• Hiring Authorities for Veterans
• People with Disabilities
  
  

At the end of the application process you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as initial receipt of your application. After the job announcement closes, you will receive an email from the Smithsonian with confirmation of receipt.

The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.

• The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request
  
  

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Required Documents

Your Application Package Should Include The Following Documents:

• Detailed resume created in the USAJOBS Resume Builder.
• Proof of prior federal service such as the latest SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action
• Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
• Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreignstudy, if applicable.
• A recent performance evaluation
• Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy) if you are requesting a special appointment authority, such as VRA or VEOA
• Proof of severe disability if you are requesting special placement consideration
• Proof of eligibility for a military spouse appointment, such as a permanent change station military order
• Proof of eligibility for any other special appointing authority not specifically mentioned here.
• Statement of previous research (3 pages max)
• Research vision, plan and objections (5 pages max)
• Diversity statement (3 pages max)
• Names/contact info for 4 references
  
  

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help Help

How to Apply

Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.

Please Note:

• You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
• You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
• The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
• If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
  
  

Agency contact information

HR Specialist HR Specialist

Phone 617-495-7374 Fax 617-495-7263 Email jgallagher@cfa.harvard.edu

Address SMITHSONIAN

Office of Human Resources

60 Garden Street

MS 17

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

United States

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): If you are applying for a VEOA appointment, you must be a veteran and must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. ("Active Service" under this law means active duty in a uniformed service and includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty, and attendance, while in the active service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned.) A veteran who is released under honorable conditions shortly before completing a 3-year tour is also eligible.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority:

• Primary Appointing Authorities for Career and Career-Conditional Appointments
• Hiring Authorities for Veterans
• People with Disabilities
  
  

At the end of the application process you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as initial receipt of your application. After the job announcement closes, you will receive an email from the Smithsonian with confirmation of receipt.

The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request