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Physicist

Department of Energy
Department of Energy - Agency Wide
Office of Science - Headquarters
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Physics, Physics Research Division. As a Physicist, you will serve as a Program Manager for research in many experimental and theoretical fields, including heavy ion physics, medium energy nuclear physics, nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics, fundamental symmetries, and theoretical nuclear physics.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
01/02/2025 to 01/16/2025
This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$167,603 to - $195,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 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. PCS is not authorized.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
25-SC-00963-12657406-DH
Control number
826395000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

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.

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Duties

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As a Physicist, you will:

  • Serve as a Program Manager for a research program that sponsors theoretical nuclear research in fields that include heavy ion physics, medium energy nuclear physics, nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics, fundamental symmetries, and computational nuclear physics.
  • Coordinate all aspects of theoretical nuclear physics research that includes, but is not limited to, lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD), in-medium nucleon-nucleon hydrodynamics, nuclear structure and reactions, fundamental symmetries, and nuclear astrophysics.
  • Plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate research programs in theoretical nuclear physics.
  • Determine research needs and opportunities of the research program against scientific and technological advances.
  • Prepare and justify the budget relating to the research program, making adjustments during the budget approval process or for unanticipated developments.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
  • If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
  • You are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of entering the position and annually.
  • 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.
  • Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations. PCS is not authorized.
  • This position is included in a Bargaining Unit.
  • Occasional travel may be required.
  • 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

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 the Basic Requirement above, a qualified candidate's online application and resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
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. Assisting in the management of a research portfolio in theoretical nuclear physics.
  2. Recommending scientific focus or direction of a theoretical nuclear physics research program, to include functions such as organizing independent peer reviews, recommending funding allocations, and monitoring scientific progress of the program.
  3. Executing a theoretical nuclear physics research program that supports experimental efforts.
  4. Developing analytical documents/research findings to communicate the status of programmatic phases or new developments/opportunities in the area theoretical nuclear physics.
Education cannot be substituted for experience at the GS-15 grade level.

"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):
  • Physics
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Program Management
  • Research
  • 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 (01/16/2025) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12657406

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