This is the position of Astrophysicist in the High Energy Astrophysics Division with the Chandra X-ray Center (CXC) at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The Chandra Director's Office (CDO) has primary responsibility for selecting the science program for Chandra, including organization of the Peer Review, the annual Call for Proposals and all associated documentation and software.
Summary
This is the position of Astrophysicist in the High Energy Astrophysics Division with the Chandra X-ray Center (CXC) at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The Chandra Director's Office (CDO) has primary responsibility for selecting the science program for Chandra, including organization of the Peer Review, the annual Call for Proposals and all associated documentation and software.
The Chandra Director's Office (CDO) interfaces with the Chandra user community via the Chandra Users Committee, the CXC website, social media, the Newsletter and science Workshops. The employee will support all aspects of CDO activities. The employee will also conduct research in the field of X-ray astronomy. The work will include the proposing, planning, and designing of observing programs, the analysis and interpretation of observations, and the publication of significant results.
Duties may include, but are not limited to:
Take overall responsibility for organizing Chandra Science Symposia. Work with the CXC Director and other CXC staff to identify Symposia science themes, recruit the Science Organizing Committee and publicize the Symposium to the science community (via a website, social media, bulletins etc.). Chair the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and interface with administrative staff.
Take overall responsibility for the CXC Newsletter, which informs the scientific community throughout the world about the progress of the Chandra Mission and the CXC. Work with the CXC Director and other CXC staff to solicit suitable articles from scientists within and outside of SAO. Review submitted material for appropriateness and technical accuracy and work with technical and administrative staff to produce the Newsletter in a variety of formats (electronic and print).
Work with CXC science and programming staff to develop and test software for the Call for Proposals and Peer Review. Interface with representatives from other facilities to enable joint observing proposals. Organize panels for the Chandra Peer Review and attend the Peer Review.
Work with the Archive Group to compile and analyze Chandra statistics including publications, citations, and other metrics pertaining to Chandra productivity. Prepare reports for the CXC Director. Perform other related duties as assigned by the CXC Director.
Formulate and conduct independent research in x-ray astronomy using both numerical and observational data from space and ground-based observations and archival observations. Develop hypotheses, determine the most fruitful investigations, formulate research plans and observations, and analyze and interpret data.
Prepare papers, presenting research results for publication in scientific journals and presentations at conferences. Participate in meetings and conferences to discuss current research with other scientists and project personnel. Participate in other scholarly activities.
Must participate in direct deposit/electronic funds for salary payment
May be required to serve a one-year probationary period
Pre- and post-appointment background investigation is required.
Basic Requirements: A. Degree: in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science, or electronics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy and/or physics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- 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, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts shown below:
Grade 12
A. Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree
or
B. A minimum of one year specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 11 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as experience working in an observatory setting or equivalent scientific facility, including organizing peer review panels and writing/editing technical documents including newsletters; organizing science symposia and knowledge of publication/citation metrics; testing and documenting science software and working in teams involving scientists and software staff.
C. A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and experience equivalent to the above
Qualifications
Qualification requirements are derived from the Office of Personnel Management's Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1300/1330.htm. Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days after the closing date of announcement.
Additional information
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.
The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
A recruitment bonus may be paid, if eligible.
For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions
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.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, commuter benefits, health/life insurance, and accidental insurance. Please see Benefits at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/ for a complete description.
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.
You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required; and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the criteria associated with this position as defined below.
Advanced knowledge of astronomy, physics, or astrophysics, particularly in the specific field of X-ray astronomy, as may be evidenced by a PhD.
Ability to formulate and conduct independent research programs and to present findings in a publishable format and at professional meetings
Knowledge of software development and the ability to utilize it to perform data analysis
Knowledge of scientific scripting (especially Python), and script documentation and verification using Linux type operating systems
Ability to communicate scientific results and work with scientists inside and outside SAO
Knowledge of the proposal and peer review processes, including writing proposals and serving on a reviewing panel
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.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, commuter benefits, health/life insurance, and accidental insurance. Please see Benefits at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/ for a complete description.
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.
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.
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.
Clicking the "DONE" tab does not submit your application. The "DONE" tab allows you to exit the system and save your information for completion at a later time. To submit your application, click the "FINISH" tab.
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.
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
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.
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.
Clicking the "DONE" tab does not submit your application. The "DONE" tab allows you to exit the system and save your information for completion at a later time. To submit your application, click the "FINISH" tab.
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.
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
