Duties

Summary

The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Planetary Geology, Geophysics, Geochemical Laboratory is seeking a Research Space Scientist to provide expertise in the analysis of planetary spacecraft radiometric tracking data and apply it to a wide range of geophysical studies.
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Responsibilities

• Engages in professional scientific and engineering work that is systematic, critical, intensive investigation directed towards discovering and applying new or expanded knowledge in the professional field of Space Science.
• Applies the principles and techniques of geophysics in the investigation and interpretation of planetary spacecraft radiometric tracking data with applications to a wide range of geophysical studies.
• Monitors contracted work, either externally or on-site in the facility of the contractor.
• Independently formulates research plans and hypotheses and conducts research in the analysis of planetary spacecraft radio signals for precision orbit determination and planetary gravity field determination.
• Performs measurement modeling and the development of innovative inversion techniques and the development of novel techniques for spacecraft instrument modeling, data reduction and analysis.
• Applies the above techniques to develop value-added products e.g., crustal thickness, crustal density, internal structure, and localized gravity representations.
• Develops the techniques and tools necessary for these investigations, e.g., computer code, sensors, mission concepts, and instrumentation used in experiments.
• Explores and defines complex problems, analyzes data, interprets results, and disseminates science results through publication in technical reports, requirements documents, or professional papers, invited talks, and presentations at conferences.
• Develops successful research proposals in response to NASA solicitations.
• Leads the development of new mission concepts and proposals for next generation space geodetic missions, including satellite gravity and altimetry missions for Solar System bodies.
• Contributes to the definition of mission science objectives, instrumentation and data analysis.
• Duties described above are for full-performance level. Duties assigned at a lower grade level will be of
  more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Travel may be required for training or other work-related duties

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation
• A one-year trial period may be required.
• Applicants must possess at least a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent
• This is a bargaining unit position

Qualifications

In addition to Basic Education, applicant must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade, which has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of the position described above.

To qualify for the GS-13:

Specialized experience includes publication in professional journals; research studying planetary geophysical problems, with experience on recent lunar and/or planetary mission science teams (e.g., GRAIL, MESSENGER, MRO) and providing analysis of recent planetary spacecraft mission data for gravitational field determination; use of research techniques and practices; work as a research project or team member; contributions that added to scientific and professional knowledge or support in developing new or improved methods and techniques; and work in the area of planetary studies.

To qualify for the GS-14:

Specialized experience includes publication in professional journals; work as a project member or primary investigator; leadership in research studies of planetary geophysical problems, with experience on recent lunar and/or planetary mission science teams (e.g., GRAIL, MESSENGER, MRO); providing analysis of recent planetary spacecraft mission data for gravitational field determination as demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications; developing new and complex approaches to the modeling of gravity fields of the planets, Moon, asteroids and satellites; use of sophisticated research techniques; work leading to important changes in projects, methods, techniques, or processes; and work in the area of planetary studies.

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.

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.

Please spell out all acronyms.

Education

Please indicate the name of your college, major, degree and completion date in the education section.
Basic education requirement (combine with appropriate grade level AST qualification statement) Basic Education Requirement: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major study in Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Astronautical Engineering, Astronautics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Ceramics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science*, Life Science, Earth and Planetary Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Geology, Geophysics, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Mathematics (Pure or Applied), Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Metallurgy, Meteorology, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Oceanography, Optical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Space Science, Structural Engineering, Welding Engineering or other appropriate physical science or engineering field. Degrees in engineering technology are not considered to be qualifying for this position.

*Note: Curriculum must include 30 semester hours of course work in a combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science that provided in-depth knowledge of the following: (1) theoretical foundations 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; and (2) essential mathematical and statistical techniques. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 must be in any combination of statistics and mathematics which includes differential and integral calculus.

The degree must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of
accreditation. To find out if a school has an ABET accreditation, go to ABET accredited schools
(http://www.abet.org).

The accreditation, type of degree, and course work taken will determine if the basic education requirements
are met.

You must provide evidence, if your education is completed outside of the United States, that it has been
deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for
Federal employment. Most foreign education is not accredited by an accrediting body that is recognized by
the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

U.S. Engineering degrees must have been awarded from a college or university school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). To find out if a degree meets this requirement, go to http://www.abet.org.
Foreign Engineering degrees 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 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/.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.
Official transcripts will be required at the time of selection to verify that you meet the educational requirement or substitution.

Additional information

The payment of relocation expenses is authorized.

Identification of promotion potential in this position does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher level duties.

As identical vacancies are identified, additional selections may be made.

You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement

Under the NASA Flexibility Act of 2004, individuals appointed under this announcement may be converted to permanent appointment, either non-competitively or through internal agency competitive placement procedures. Conversion is not guaranteed, and term conversion eligibility is contingent on the employee meeting all legal requirements.

This appointment may be extended beyond the initial appointment date, for a period not to exceed a total of six years.

Current Federal civilian employees may apply for this position. If selected, a break in service of at least 4 calendar days may be required prior to appointment to this position.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

NASA uses an automated system (Resumix) that matches the competencies extracted from your resume to the competencies identified by the selecting official for the position. Based on the competencies you match, you are placed in one of three categories identified as 90, 80, or 70 pt. quality categories, which are defined as:

90 pt. Category - Tentatively meets (until subsequent confirmation upon referral) the basic qualification requirements identified in the vacancy announcement and has experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in the primary requirements of the position.

80 pt. Category - Tentatively meets (until subsequent confirmation upon referral) the basic qualification requirements identified in the vacancy announcement and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the primary requirements of the position.

70 pt. Category - Fails to meet criteria described in the 80 pt. category.

Additional application guidance is available in NASA's Applicant Guide .

Information for Veterans : The Category Rating Process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed at the top of the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher.

For the purpose of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), candidates rated in the top quality category are considered well-qualified

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

NASA's application process has been specifically developed to ensure that we only ask you for the information we absolutely need to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility. In order to apply for this position, you only need to submit your resume and answer the screening questions and supplemental information. No additional documentation is accepted at the time of application. (For example you need not submit narrative 'KSA' statements; they are not required and will not be evaluated.) In this way we allow you to focus on preparing a resume that best describes your background and abilities. For assistance in preparing your resume, consult the Applicant Guide . Nothing further is required until requested by the Human Resources Office. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume. For example, we may ask you to provide academic transcripts or proof of Federal employment status. If you are claiming veterans' preference, we may ask you to submit proof of veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, SF-15 plus proof required by that form). If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.

To receive consideration, you must submit a resume and answer NASA-specific questions. The NASA questions appear after you submit your resume and are transferred to the NASA web site. If you successfully apply, USAJOBS will show your application status as 'Received'. If your status is 'Application Status Not Available', you have not successfully applied. Do not rely on a USAJOBS email to confirm successful application. Only an email from NASA confirms a successful application.

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.