This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/764133300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Summary
This is the position of Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) in the High Energy Astrophysics Division. The purpose of this position is to train postdoctoral researchers to conceive, plan and conduct research in gravitational lensing of X-ray quasars. The incumbent will be expected to perform scholarly research and participate in making contributions to the physical fields of science.
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Overview
- Reviewing applications
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Open & closing dates
12/05/2023 to 05/15/2024
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Salary
$81,963 - $106,549 per year
* salary range reflects CY24 pay schedule effective 1/14
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Pay scale & grade
IS 11
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Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
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Remote job
No
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Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel to scientific conferences, to observing facilities and/or technical collaboration meetings may be required.
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Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
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Appointment type
Temporary - Trust Fund Temporary - Not To Exceed Two Years With The Possibility Of Extension For An Additional Year
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Work schedule
Full-time - Full time
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Service
Competitive
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Promotion potential
11
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Job family (Series)
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Supervisory status
No
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Security clearance
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Drug test
No
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Announcement number
24-07
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Control number
764133300
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This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This position is open to all qualified candidates. First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date.
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Duties
- Participate in and carry out scientific research and scholarship involving a program of observational studies of active galaxies and quasars, especially of quadruply lensed AGN.
- Participate in the preparation and submittal of proposals for studies using appropriate space- and/or ground-based facilities.
- Develop and carry out data reduction of observations from satellite and/or ground-based experiments, analyze and model the resulting multi-wavelength datasets.
- Participate in the design, development, and verification of software for data analysis as needed. This includes defining the necessary programs and subroutines, coding and debugging them, applying them to the analysis of scientific data, and documenting and submitting codes to public archives.
- Prepare papers, presenting research results for publication in scientific journals and presentations at conferences. Participate in meetings and conferences to discuss current research and to exchange data and ideas with other scientists.
- Give advice on analysis techniques and scientific approaches to others working on the same or related projects, as appropriate. Help with problem solving and discuss current work.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must participate in direct deposit/electronic funds for salary payment
- Pre- and post-appointment background investigation is required.
- may be required to serve a one year probationary period
For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science, or electronics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy and/or physics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of astronomy, space science, physics, mathematics, and electronics, with required course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to the basic requirements, candidates for the grade 11 must also possess one of the following:
A. Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or
B. Minimum of one year specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 9 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as developing analysis algorithms, performing statistical analysis, and writing papers for publication. or
C. Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and experience equivalent to the above.
Qualification requirements are derived from the Office of Personnel Management's Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1300/1330.htm
Additional information
- The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.
- The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, commuter benefits, health/life insurance, and accidental insurance.
Please see Benefits at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/ for a complete description.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required; and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the criteria associated with this position as defined below.
- Knowledge of physics/astrophysics as might be evidenced by a PhD Degree or comparable professional experience
- Knowledge of and the ability to perform observational research on active galaxies and quasars and experience with data analysis, preferably at more than one wavelength and including the X-rays
- Ability to present findings in a publishable format and to present material at professional meetings
- Ability to apply modern computer technology to the solution of scientific programs
- Knowledge of instrumentation, scientific programming, modern methods of software generation, verification, and documentation, and UNIX-type operating systems
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, commuter benefits, health/life insurance, and accidental insurance.
Please see Benefits at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/ for a complete description.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Your application package must include the following documents:
Detailed resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
School transcripts or degree certificate
Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable
Summary of research interests (maximum 4 pages)
Names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three professional references
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:
- You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button.
- Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
- Clicking the "DONE" tab does not submit your application. The "DONE" tab allows you to exit the system and save your information for completion at a later time. To submit your application, click the "FINISH" tab.
- The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
- If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
Agency contact information
Mary Hebert
- Address
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SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
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Required Documents
Your application package must include the following documents:
Detailed resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
School transcripts or degree certificate
Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable
Summary of research interests (maximum 4 pages)
Names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three professional references
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Help
Learn more about this agency
How to Apply
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:
- You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button.
- Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
- Clicking the "DONE" tab does not submit your application. The "DONE" tab allows you to exit the system and save your information for completion at a later time. To submit your application, click the "FINISH" tab.
- The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
- If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
Agency contact information
Mary Hebert
- Address
-
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Beginning of a dialog window for the agency announcing this job. It begins with a heading 2 called "Learn more about Field Operating Offices of the Office of the Secretary of the Army". Escape will cancel and close the window.
Learn more about
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is part of what is arguably the largest and most diverse astrophysical institution in the world, where the staff carries out a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics and earth and space sciences. If you would like to join this exciting organization, apply today!
Agency contact information
Mary Hebert
- Address
-
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States