This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/487327100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Current developments, designated “wSMA” are underway to further enhance the sensitivity of the Submillimeter Array (SMA) by increasing the bandwidth of the receivers, augmenting the data transmission system, possibly changing to a digital optical data transmission, and in due course replacing the “SMA Wideband Astronomical ROACH2 Machine” (SWARM) with wider bandwidth, more compact, and lower power equipment.
Learn more about this agency12/20/2017 to 01/31/2018
$94,520 - $145,205 per year
GS 13 - 14
1 vacancy in the following location:
25% or less - Travel nationally and internationally as necessary to support assignments and to meet colleagues.
No
Permanent - Career/Career-Conditional.
Full-time - Full Time
14
No
18-04
487327100
Grade 13:
Play a leading role in implementing an upgrade path to significantly increase the SMA’s observing capacity through improvements in sensitivity. Contribute to the definition of the optimum architecture for digitally correlating and phasing the ultra-wide bandwidth output of upgraded wSMA front-ends across the array’s eight antennas.
Make key contributions to the detailed design, construction, testing and commissioning of the wide-bandwidth high spectral resolution correlator with phased array capability for Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI).
Develop Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) configuration codes (“gateware”), using hardware description languages such as VHDL or Verilog, and Matlab-Simulink. Responsibilities extend to writing higher level layers of control software in object-oriented languages such as Python and C++. Also develop digital signal processing codes for GPU processors in languages such as CUDA and OpenCL
Formulate and conduct original scientific research using the SMA, and other instruments as appropriate. Prepare results of scientific and technical developments for publication in professional journals and for presentation at engineering or scientific conferences and technical symposia. Participate in review meetings covering technical and scientific research and development.
Grade 14:
In addition to the duties of the grade 13, the incumbent will perform the following:
Lead the implementation of an upgrade path to significantly increase the SMA’s observing capacity through improvements in sensitivity.
Make key contributions to the detailed design, construction, testing and commissioning of the wide-bandwidth high spectral resolution correlator with phased array capability for Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI).
Develop Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) configuration codes (“gateware”), using hardware description languages such as VHDL or Verilog, and Matlab-Simulink. Responsibilities extend to writing higher level layers of control software in object-oriented languages such as Python and C++. Also develop digital signal processing codes for GPU processors in languages such as CUDA and OpenCL
Applicants must meet the basic qualification requirements as described in the Office of Personnel Management's Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions. These standards may be viewed at the following address on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1310/1310.htm.
or
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 qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
GS-13:
Skills in advanced wideband signal processing of radio-astronomy data as applied to real time correlation and phased array processing.
Ability to program advanced digital signal processing algorithms on FPGAs using hardware description languages such as VHDL or Verilog, and Matlab-Simulink.
Ability to develop graphics processing unit (GPU) codes in languages such as CUDA and OpenCL.
Ability to develop advanced control programs for radio astronomy instruments under operating systems such under Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. This software controls functions such as fringe rotation, delay alignment and data collection.
GS-14:
Expert skills in advanced wideband signal processing of radio-astronomy data as applied to real time correlation and phased array processing.
Ability to program advanced digital signal processing algorithms on FPGAs and GPUs using hardware description languages such as VHDL or Verilog, Matlab-Simulink, and CUDA or OpenCL.
Ability to develop advanced control programs for radio astronomy instruments under operating systems such under Linux and other Unix-like operating systems.
Skills in independently preparing scientific results and instrument design details for publication in scientific and technical journals or for presentation at professional conferences.
Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:
Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above.
Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above.
Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree.
This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.
Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.
Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.
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.
To preview questions please click here.
Your application package should include the following documents:
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:
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 receipt of your application.
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.
Additional Information:
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/487327100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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