This is the position of Physicist in the Atomic and Molecular Physics Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The purpose of this position is to train postdoctoral researchers to conceive, plan and conduct highly specialized research in astrophysics. The incumbent will be expected to perform scholarly research and participate in making contributions to the physical fields of science.
The Post-Doctoral Research Fellow will perform research on collisional and spectroscopic phenomena for astrophysical applications. The Post-Doctoral Research Fellow will be part of a research group working on fundamental theoretical and computational scientific research using primarily quantum-mechanical methods.
Duties of the position may include but are not limited to:
Define scientific and computational requirements to develop and evaluate advanced theoretical and numerical algorithms. This will involve analytical calculations and implementing algorithms for computation and analysis of collisional and spectroscopic phenomena. Obtain necessary data to verify requirements and test software.
Participate in the definition and design of methodologies to obtain required results.
Assist other scientists in developing and applying programs for in use collisional and spectroscopic studies.
Perform scientific studies involving collisions and spectroscopy.
Prepare refereed publications and present talks at professional meetings.
May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
Direct Deposit/Elect Funds Transfer required for salary payment
Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job opportunity announcement closing date. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
Qualifications
All applicants must meet these Basic Requirements: A. Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics; OR B. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In either A or B above, the courses must have included a fundamental course in general physics and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound.
In addition to Basic Requirements above, you must have: a) One year of specialized experience that is equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to grade 9 level work in the Federal government. Specialized experience would have included applying methods of theoretical and computational physics to research in physics, chemical physics, or related fields and preparing publications and presenting talks at professional meetings. OR Education for Grade 11: Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.
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:
Knowledge of scientific software development and skill in developing new software and modifying existing programs.
Knowledge of the principles and practices in the field of atomic, molecular, or chemical physics or related field.
Knowledge of mathematics and physics of quantum mechanical descriptions of collisional and spectroscopic phenomena.
Ability to present findings in a publishable format.
Skill in oral and written communication as evidenced by refereed journal publications in atmospheric measurements and their applications.
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.
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. Learn more about federal benefits.
Benefits: The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, and accidental insurance. Please see more information concerning benefits at: http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/trust/table.html
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.
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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.
What to Expect Next: After you apply, you will receive an automated acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The staffing process to identify highly qualified candidates may take up to four weeks or more to complete. After the announcement closes and application reviews are done, you may be contacted by the hiring office if further evaluation or interviews are required. All applicants will receive written notification on the final outcome of the position.
The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
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Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is part of the largest and most diverse astrophysical institutions in the world, where the staff carries out a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics and earth and space sciences. If you would like to join this exciting organization, apply today!
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