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Physicist

Department of Energy
Department of Energy - Agency Wide
Office of Science
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

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/22/2024 to 03/07/2024
This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$139,395 to - $191,900 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14 - 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Germantown, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy and funding availability.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
24-SC-00879-12323392-DH
Control number
777172100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This is a Direct Hire Public Notice open to all U.S. citizens or U.S. Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

Duties

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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

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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.
  • This position does not support 100% remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified by the supervisor, but no less than 2 days per pay period.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT:
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 next lower grade level (GS-13) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 3 of the 4 following:

  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/plans for scientific partnership through knowledge of scientific priorities, facility operating capabilities, and fiscal resource requirements for a High Energy Physics program.
  3. Evaluating contractor, agency laboratory, or grantee research proposals/performance via own scientific and technical judgment, merit review, site visits/reviews, and panel reviews.
  4. Assisting in the management of a collaborative or consortium-model team 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.

GS-15 - A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-14) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 3 of the 4 following:

  1. Serving as a 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 research needs/opportunities of HEP-QIS research or related technology research and development against scientific/technological advances and the potential needs of the organization.
  3. Coordinating all aspects of a collaborative or consortium-model team research program, including but not limited to oversight of HEP-QIS programs.
  4. Collaborating with other Federal research agencies, international partners, or community stakeholders to develop strategic planning for HEP-QIS or related technology research and development programs (i.e., workshops, planning meetings, funding agency discussions and community town hall meetings) that may highlight key scientific opportunities identified by the community and appropriate high energy physics advisory bodies, while respecting relevant technical, scheduling, and budgetary constraints.
Education cannot be substituted for experience at the GS-14 and GS-15 grade levels.

"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.

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.

Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (03/07/2024) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12323392

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