HEASARC Scientist Position

Applications are now being accepted for a scientist with significant experience and interest in the technical aspects of astrophysics research, to work in the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD.  The position is funded through the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) and the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Sciences & Technology II (CRESST II).  The preferred start date is sometime this Fall.

The HEASARC provides support for the high energy astrophysics community through data curation, archiving and access, software development, documentation and tutorials, a science platform, and extensive interoperability with other archives. The successful candidate for this position will have a strong astronomy research track record, and will contribute to science platform development and maintenance, Python tutorial development, user-friendly Virtual Observatory (VO) access through PyVO, and data curation. Depending on their skills and interest, the candidate may:

• Contribute to open development software projects in Python, such as the Astropyaffiliated PyVO package;
• Work with containerization of computing through, e.g., Docker;
• Help deploy and/or test a science platform based on the Jupyter stack;
• Provide user support through documentation, tutorials, and helpdesk responses;
• Ensure interoperability between HEASARC and other archives using VO standards and services; and/or
• Improve HEASARC metadata to enable easier and more efficient data discovery.

The successful candidate will be capable of working independently and as a member of a number of overlapping groups, both within NASA and at other institutes and archives, and with teams that consist of scientists, software developers, database managers, and system administrators. This is a full-time position, with approximately 75% of time devoted to the HEASARC programmatic responsibilities described above. The remainder is available for self-driven original research projects, ideally in high energy astrophysics or other science areas with direct applicability to the HEASARC’s data holdings.

Candidates for this position should have a Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, or a related field; several years of experience with astrophysical data and demonstrated software knowledge is preferred. Salary and benefits are competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications.  We anticipate this position to be a multi-year position.

Restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may require that the successful candidate work remotely, at least initially. We would expect the candidate to transition to on-site work once GSFC resumes full on-site access, but this expectation can be discussed as part of the hiring process.  The candidate may be required to be vaccinated; see details near the end of this posting.

The position will remain available until filled. Applications received by July 21, 2021 will receive full consideration. Candidates should provide a cover letter, Curriculum Vita including publications list, statements of technical and research interests, and contact information for three references to:

HEASARC Scientist

CRESST/UMCP

Mail Code 660.8, NASA/GSFC

Greenbelt, MD 20771, or

Via e-mail to [email protected]

For more information about the duties or HEASARC, contact Dr. Alan Smale ([email protected]) and/or Dr. Tess Jaffe ([email protected]). For information on UMCP and CRESST II, contact Dr. Tracy Huard ([email protected]).

The University of Maryland has made the safety of our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University System of Maryland (USM) recently announced that students, faculty, and staff on USM campuses this fall, including UMCP, are required to be vaccinated against COVID. As a prospective and/or a new employee at UMCP, you will be required to comply with the University’s vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment in order to work at any University of Maryland location.

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.