An Astrophysicist with expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) will lead a forefront scientific research program within the broad areas of astronomy and astrophysics made possible by advances in machine learning (ML) and other AI methods.
Summary
An Astrophysicist with expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) will lead a forefront scientific research program within the broad areas of astronomy and astrophysics made possible by advances in machine learning (ML) and other AI methods.
Formulate and execute independent, original scientific research that focuses on the development and application of machine learning and other AI methods to astronomy, astrophysical phenomena, and cosmology that aligns with the strategic interests of SAO. Performs analysis that is creative, definitive, and thorough.
Prepare peer-reviewed publications describing research results, techniques, and interpretations for publication in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals, and presentation at scientific or technical meetings and conferences, and within the CfA.
Propose for extramural contract and grant support for research in specific areas of astronomy, astrophysics or related fields, including but not limited to, machine learning and other AI methods, data science, and/or data analytics, typically applied to the analysis and interpretation of very large datasets.
Serve in a leadership role in the development of major new scientific initiatives for SAO relevant to the successful candidate’s expertise and skills.
Engage in education activities to train the next generation of scientists in astronomy and astrophysics by leading a research team that is diverse and inclusive, and providing mentorship and supervision.
Engage in outreach activities to share AI research and AI-based astronomical discoveries with the broader public through traditional and non-traditional media.
Electronic funds transfer/direct deposit is required for salary payment
National and international travel may be required
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
Pre- and post-appointment background
investigation
May be required to serve a one-year probationary
period.
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp
Qualifications
Minimum Education Requirements: A) Degree in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science or electronics, including course work in differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy or physics; OR
B) A combination of education and experience equivalent to A above including 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.
Specialized Experience: One year of directly related experience (Federal or other) equivalent to GS-13. Specialized experience would include activities such as formulating and conducting leading independent and original astrophysical research related to machine learning and other Artificial Intelligence methods related to astronomy, presenting the results of research through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and engagingin education activities to train the next generation of scientists in astronomy and astrophysics, etc.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). 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.
Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
There is no education substitution for this position.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Important Note:
The review of your resume will determine your final rating and should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.
Additional information
The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.
Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.
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.
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.
Your application will be evaluated first for the basic education and specialized requirements. Applicants that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
Exceptional initiative and scholarly ability necessary to formulate, conduct and present results of programs of advanced scientific research in machine learning and other AI methods related to astronomy.
Advanced skill in preparing scientific results for publication in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and for presentation at professional conferences that apply machine learning and other AI methods to astronomical phenomena.
Advanced skill in proposing for extramural contract and grant support for research into specific areas of astronomy, astrophysics, or related fields.
Broad experience in the development of major new scientific initiatives relevant to the person’s expertise and skills.
Proven experience in developing the careers of students and early career researchers, including mentoring and supervision.
Proven ability to engage the general public in scientific results and discoveries through traditional and non-traditional media.
Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:
Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above.
Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above.
Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree.
This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.
Important Note:
Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.
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.
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 and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. 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.
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 automated email acknowledgment that your application has been received. This may take several hours. We often receive a large number of applications for a job. We review each application carefully, and this process may take a few weeks. As we go through each round of review, we will send you an email to date you on your status.
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 and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. 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.
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 automated email acknowledgment that your application has been received. This may take several hours. We often receive a large number of applications for a job. We review each application carefully, and this process may take a few weeks. As we go through each round of review, we will send you an email to date you on your status.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
