MSFC Astrophysics X-ray Group Civil Servant Hires

Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Multiple Positions: GS14 and GS15 Permanent-Hires, NASA Excepted (NEX) 6-year extendable Term Hire

Level: Mid-to-Late Career

Sector: Government and National Lab

Work Function: Science Research

Discipline: Physics-Astrophysics

Preferred Education: Doctorate

Citizenship: United States

 

NASA’s George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) X-Ray Group in the Astrophysics Branch of the Science and Technology Office plans to hire two Permanent-Hire mid-to-late career research astrophysicists and one NASA Excepted Term-Hire. Successful candidates are expected to conduct an independent program in the research, development, and testing of the next generation of X-ray optics and instrumentation, and to lead/support a thriving high-energy astrophysics research and analysis program that is focused around current and proposed astrophysics missions. The X-ray Group is currently seeking declarations of interest in the aforementioned positions via a submitted letter of interest and other documents (see below).

 

The X-Ray Astronomy Group at MSFC has a long and rich history supporting mission development and implementation. Key missions that the Group is involved in include the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, Spectrum Röntgen Gamma-Astronomical Röntgen Telescope – X-ray Concentrator (ART-XC), and the recently launched Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). As NASA’s premiere Center for the development and test of full-shell X-ray optics, the Group is currently engaged in the development of multiple proposed missions and is working to develop X-ray optics for future strategic NASA missions, including the next Great Observatory for X-ray Astronomy.

 

MSFC’s facilities to support this work are substantial and include state of the art polishing machines, X-ray sources, detector systems, precision vacuum stages, coating chambers, and precision metrology instrumentation. MSFC is also home to two world-class X-ray Beamlines: the 500 meter X-ray and Cryogenic Facility (XRCF) and the MSFC 100-m X-ray Beamline that have been used for calibration of multiple X-ray and normal-incidence mirrors and telescope systems, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the James Webb Space Telescope. 

 

These are permanent and term civil servant positions. US Citizenship is required. The postings will open late Summer/early Fall through https://www.USAJOBS.gov via Direct Hire Authority (DHA) announcements. The delay between this request and the job posting is to allow for adequate community response. The short period that the announcement will be open (~10 days) is due to agency guidance and notice of the vacancy is being provided in advance to allow for a large pool of interested and qualified scientists to prepare and apply. Given the short period the announcement will be open, it is a good idea to log into USAJOBS before the announcement opens and update your username, password, resume, etc., to facilitate the timely submission of an application. Enabling USAJOB alerts using the features of the USAJOBS website can notify interested candidates of the job opportunity opening. Given the type of announcement authority, it is strongly suggested that the submitted application map closely to the position requirements.

 

A transcript demonstrating that you meet the education requirements for a Federal physical scientist will be required at the time of application. Given the short period that the announcement will be open, it is a good idea to obtain a transcript in advance. While a transcript is the preferred proof of qualifying education, any of the following items will be accepted as proof of education:

• An unofficial transcript,

• A copy of an official transcript,

• A copy of a degree (i.e., a picture or scan), or

• A list of courses.

 

To apply for these position, you will only need to (1) submit your resume and a transcript and (2) answer the screening questions and supplemental information through USAJOBS.

 

 

Further Information

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) directed to Dr. Debra Wallace, Deputy Branch Chief, Astrophysics Branch, [email protected]. Those who respond will receive additional, specific notification when the respective USAJOBS opportunity opens. Note that these documents are not required to apply for the job, but are strongly encouraged.