This is the position of Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) in the High Energy Astrophysics Division. 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.
Summary
This is the position of Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) in the High Energy Astrophysics Division. 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.
Conduct a program of research and scholarship in the area of high energy astrophysics under the supervision and direction of the Principal Investigator
Assists in the development of software and procedures of the reduction, analysis and interpretation of data as needed; or assists in the development of analytical methods and/or software to model physical processes and conditions; or assists in the development of scientific instrumentation for the collection of data, as needed.
Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which engaged, for example prepare papers for publication in scientific journals, prepare and present findings at scientific meetings, as required.
Support, as required, the development of proposals for research funding.
Engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of your research group, School and Institute.
Mentor and assist, as appropriate and as directed, the research of students in your area of research.
Must participate in direct deposit/electronic funds for salary payment
Pre- and post-appointment background investigation is required.
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Qualifications
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 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 experience publishing refereed publications in relevant journals, involving X-ray data analysis preferably with Chandra.
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/Standards/IORs/gs1300/1330.htm
Additional information
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.
The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
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 the technical methods, principles and practices of the field of astrophysics of active galactic nuclei and/or galaxy cluster astrophysics and/or galaxy astrophysics.
Knowledge of data reduction and analysis techniques applicable to astrophysics of active galactic nuclei and/or galaxy cluster astrophysics and/or galaxy astrophysics
Ability to utilize computer technology in the solution of scientific problems.
Ability to perform scientific research as may be evidenced by receipt of a Ph.D.
Ability to work effectively as part of a research group or scientific team.
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 (maximum 4 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 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.
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 (maximum 4 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 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.
