Skip to main content
U.S. flag

Physicist

Department of Energy
Department of Energy - Agency Wide
Office of Science, Office of High Energy Physics
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the Office of Science, Office of High Energy Physics. This position is responsible for research in an exploratory area of physics which studies the fundamental nature of matter, seeking to determine the most elemental building blocks and the basic forces which together determine how the universe works at its most fundamental level.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open date: 03/28/2023
Closed date: 04/18/2023
This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$132,368 - $183,500 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14 - 15
Promotion potential
15
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
23-SC-00807-11872886-DH
Control number
712581900

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

This is a Direct Hire Public Notice. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

Duties

Help

As a Physicist, you will:

  • Serve as a recognized scientific authority and expert in high energy physics and related technology and research and development for planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating research programs in this field in a strategic context on a national and international level.
  • Provide expert scientific and technical advice and assistance in the development and integration of policy and program plans.
  • Distill, digest, and integrate the conclusions and recommendations concerning current status, trends, and possible future directions and developments of the field of high-energy physics received from various advisory and study groups.
  • Stay cognizant of high energy physics and quantum information science strategic planning studies conducted by national and international institutions such as the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
  • Assure that effective program management systems are established and implemented for the High Energy Physics Quantum Information Science program, including those for scientific peer review in partnership program areas.
  • Select, implement, and manage the High Energy Physics Quantum Information Science Center research program (i.e., acting on emerging opportunities, determining funding levels; recommending and initiating necessary proposal denials and program terminations; and promoting inter-organizational interactions and collaborations) based on the reviews and evaluations, program and agency priorities, and own scientific judgment.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Subject to satisfactory security and suitability requirements.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • You are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08).
  • This position is included in a Bargaining Agreement.
  • Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
  • A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.

Qualifications

Qualifications Basic Education Requirement 1310:
1. Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics (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).

OR

2. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours (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), plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the education requirement above, candidates must possess the specialized experience below.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

GS-14: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:

  1. Providing authoritative advice and guidance to scientists and managers in areas of assigned responsibility including, but not limited to, High Energy Physics related Quantum Information Science (HEP-QIS).
  2. Developing milestones and near- and long-range plans for HEP-QIS partnership agreements through knowledge of scientific priorities, facility operating capabilities, and fiscal resource requirements for the U.S. High Energy Physics program.
  3. Evaluating contractor, agency laboratory, and grantee research proposals and performance via own scientific and technical judgment, merit review, site visits and reviews, and panel reviews.
  4. Selecting, implementing, and managing a Quantum Information Science Center research program (i.e., acting on emerging opportunities, determining funding levels; recommending and initiating necessary proposal denials and program terminations; and promoting inter-organizational interactions and collaborations) based on reviews and evaluations, program and agency priorities, and own scientific judgment.
GS15: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:
  1. Serving as an expert and consultant to other scientists and senior management in areas of assigned responsibility including, but not limited to, High Energy Physics related Quantum Information Science (HEP-QIS).
  2. Examining and determining research needs and opportunities of HEP-QIS research and related technology research and development against scientific and technological advances and of potential needs of the agency.
  3. Coordinating all aspects of a Quantum Information Science Center planning and representing the Office in strategic Quantum Information Science planning for the organization and the agency.
  4. Collaborating with other Federal research agencies, international partners, and/or community stakeholders to develop and maintain strategic planning for a Quantum Information Science Center and related technology research and development programs (i.e., workshops, planning meetings, funding agency discussions and community town hall meetings), responding to key scientific opportunities identified by the community and appropriate high energy physics advisory bodies, while respecting relevant technical, scheduling, and budgetary constraints.

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 and GS-15 grade levels.

The Individual Occupational Requirements for this position is: 1310

The OPM Group Qualification Standard for this position is: Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions


"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible". Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Additional information

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 for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for Physicist positions in the 1310 series. Under the DHA, applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement will be referred for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply under the DHA process.

Appointments made under the DHA are processed as "new" appointments. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
  • Decision Making
  • Physics
  • Project Management
  • Technical Competence


Career Transition Assistance Programs: If you are eligible for career transition assistance, such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the Education and Qualification requirements to be referred for consideration.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (04/18/2023) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11872886

Department of Energy - Agency Wide

Office of High Energy Physics (HEP), Office of the Deputy Director for Science Programs, Office of Science (SC), with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supports basic research that studies the elementary nature of matter and energy, seeking to determine the most elemental building blocks and the basic forces which together determine how the universe works at its most fundamental level.

Agency contact information

David Edwards
Phone
240-805-4054
Email
david.edwards2@hq.doe.gov
Address
Office of Science - Headquarters
P.O. Box 5088
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
US

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.