Computational Spectroscopist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

The X-ray Astrophysics Laboratory of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center plans to hire a computational spectroscopist into a permanent civil servant scientist position. Successful candidates are expected to conduct an independent program of theoretical and/or observational astronomical research, studying active galaxies, black holes, neutron stars, clusters of galaxies, supernova remnants, or other cosmic sources of X-rays, and to play a leading role in the theoretical interpretation of high-resolution X-ray spectroscopic data such as obtained with the XRISM and/or Athena missions.

This Research Astrophysicist (civil service scientist) position is a GS-13/GS-14 X-ray Astrophysics Computational Spectroscopist - (Permanent Hire).

This will be a 2-step process. The first phase, during September & October, 2022, seeks declarations of interest in this position via a submitted letter of interest and other documents (see below). The second phase will be a USAJOBS posting, anticipated for November or December 2022. Those who respond during phase 1 will receive additional, specific notification when the respective USAJOBS opportunity opens. Note that phase 1 is the ‘strongly encouraged’ phase and phase 2 is the ‘required’ phase.

We do note that we initially advertised this position in Spring 2022, but due to some bureaucratic delays, are re-advertising the position now to ensure a diverse candidate pool. Those who responded in Spring 2022 do not need to respond again for Phase 1, but may do so if they wish to update their materials.

Successful candidates will participate in and/or lead concept development for future instrumentation and missions, including developing the science case for missions and/or performing public advocacy. The work for this position is envisaged to be taking a leading role in modeling high resolution X-ray spectra and associated atomic processes from astrophysical sources that will be observed by the instruments on XRISM, Athena, and other spectroscopic missions, as well as playing a key role in theoretical interpretation of these spectra. This is a permanent hire with a one year probationary period.

US citizenship is required at the time of the Phase 2/USAJOBS application in Nov/Dec 2022; those who are expecting U.S. citizenship by the time of the Phase 2 opportunity are encouraged to submit materials during Phase 1, even if they do not yet have their U.S. citizenship. A Ph.D. degree is highly desirable. This is an early and/or mid- career position: the appointment is for a GS-13/14 position with salary commensurate with the applicant’s past experience. Interested applicants should send a letter stating their interest, a CV, a statement of research interests, and the names of at least three independent references (which should be contained within the aforementioned documents) to Ms. Alicia Jose ([email protected]) by October 12, 2022. Please use the subject line “2022 662 Computational Spectroscopist position”. Inquiries about the position may be addressed to Dr. Tim Kallman, Associate Lab Chief of the GSFC X-ray Astrophysics Laboratory, at [email protected], with a cc: to Allison Gorman ([email protected]). Additional application material will be required through Phase 2 via the USAJobs website; the USAJobs posting is anticipated for late October or early November 2022.

NASA GSFC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Included Benefits: These are US federal civil service positions. The incumbents receive all the benefits of a US government employee: health care, pension plan, access to life and disability insurance, etc