This is a position of Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) in the Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Sciences Division. The purpose of this position is to work on observational and numerical investigations, as well as software development, related to the detection and characterization of small body populations in the solar system.
Summary
This is a position of Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) in the Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Sciences Division. The purpose of this position is to work on observational and numerical investigations, as well as software development, related to the detection and characterization of small body populations in the solar system.
Conduct a program of research and scholarship in the area of observations, data analysis, numerical modeling, and software development related to the detection and characterization of small body populations in the solar system.
Formulate and conduct original programs of independent astronomical research, with an emphasis on small body populations in the solar system.
Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research by, for example, preparing papers for publication in scientific journals and preparing and presenting findings at scientific meetings, as required.
Support, as required, the development of proposals for research funding.
Support observations or archival studies to collect data for different projects.
Engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of your research group, school, and institute.
Perform other scientific duties identified by the Supervisor, such as:
Contribute to the ongoing searches for TNOs and other solar system bodies with DECam, JWST, Pan-STARRS, and other platforms.
Contribute to extending ephemeris-quality numerical tools such as ASSIST to the full n-body problem or to artificial satellites.
Contribute to the development and testing of algorithms for the Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).
Must participate in direct deposit/electronic funds for salary payment
Pre- and post-appointment background investigation is required.
For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science, or electronics. The coursework 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 the basic requirements, candidates for the grade 11 must also possess one of the following:
A. Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or
B. Minimum of one year specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 9 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 such as n-body simulations or searches for solar system bodies.
C. Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and experience equivalent to the above.
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. 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
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.
Knowledge of astrophysics, as may be evidenced by a Ph.D. degree involving research in fields related to astronomy or astrophysics.
Knowledge of technical methods, principles, and practices of the field of astrophysics and published literature on astrophysics. Knowledge of solar system dynamics, solar system small body surveys, or parallel/concurrent computing methods is beneficial.
Ability to develop and utilize appropriate computer codes and data analysis procedures for application to the research areas described above. Specific experience coding in Python, C/C++, or Rust would be preferred.
Ability to efficiently analyze and model large observational data sets, and the ability to formulate and undertake independent scientific investigations.
Ability to work independently and as part of a research group.
Ability to prepare scientific papers for publication and to present findings at scientific conferences.
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.
Your application package must include the following documents:
Detailed resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) School transcripts or degree certificate Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable Summary of research interests (1-2 pages) Names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three professional references
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 note 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.
Your application package must include the following documents:
Detailed resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) School transcripts or degree certificate Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable Summary of research interests (1-2 pages) Names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three professional references
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 note 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.
