Public Notice - Research Physical Scientist/Physicist (Direct Hire)

Summary

Positions to be filled are in various organizations at the following NASA Centers - Langley Research Center and Glenn Research Center. NASA may fill positions in any of the following series and at any grade level listed in this announcement (GS-1301, 1310 at the GS-11/12/13/14/15). These positions focus on research in the physical sciences and related scientific disciplines.

Duties

Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.

Leads and conducts advanced research, experimentation, modeling, and analytical studies on mission-critical physical and measurement systems.

Formulates research hypotheses, develops rigorous experimental designs, applies advanced scientific and remote-sensing techniques, and interprets highly complex observational and remotely sensed data to derive defensible conclusions.

Directs multidisciplinary scientific research across organizational boundaries and provides authoritative guidance to senior officials on complex physical science investigations and emerging scientific phenomena.

Disseminates and communicates research findings and emerging science and technology trends through publications, technical products, presentations, and briefings to inform executive leadership and programmatic decisions.

Represents the organization in scientific forums, research panels, and technical reviews at the agency and interagency levels.

Develops and approves research standards, scientific protocols, technical specifications, measurement requirements, validation approaches, and analytical methodologies for program- or enterprise-level investigations.

Advances measurement systems, instrumentation, algorithms, and analytical techniques through performance assessment, field demonstration, and validation.

Authors high-impact technical reports, scientific assessments, and publications that inform strategic decisions and future research directions.

Provides scientific mentorship and fosters development of researchers across experience levels. Serves as a recognized authority in the physical sciences, advancing organizational research capability and long-term scientific workforce development.

Represents the organization in research collaborations with contractors, academia, partner agencies, and external scientific bodies. Leads scientific reviews, study teams, and investigative groups requiring senior-level physical science expertise.

For supervisory positions, you will perform a full range of supervisory duties which includes assigning and evaluating work; recommending personnel actions; taking disciplinary actions; and identifying training needs and developing employees.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement. Vacant research positions may be filled at one of several grade levels depending upon the scientific impact of the person selected. A review may be required to determine the appropriate grade level of the position and supplemental materials may be required from the selectee. Please keep this in mind when indicating the lowest grade you will accept. If selected at the lower grade level, your scientific impact will be examined in addition to other factors, to determine if you are eligible for promotion. To qualify for GS-11, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level: Conducting advanced physical science research, including analytical investigations, modeling, laboratory experimentation, or field studies; Applying professional scientific judgment to validate results, refine methods, and draw evidence-based conclusions; Producing scientific reports, analyses, or assessments for research audiences. OR b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field OR c) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a) and b) above To qualify for GS-12, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level: Conducting complex scientific research requiring advanced methodologies or multidisciplinary integration; Serving as a subject-matter resource for moderately complex scientific investigations; Contributing significant research insights as part of collaborative scientific teams. OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field. To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level: Serving as a recognized scientific authority on complex physical science topics; Developing and leading significant research studies, advanced analytical models, or experimental campaigns; Synthesizing multi-disciplinary scientific data to advance understanding or inform program decisions. To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level: Providing senior-level leadership for complex physical science research programs; Serving as an expert in the relevant scientific discipline; Advising senior officials on high-complexity scientific findings, risks, methodologies, and emerging phenomena. To qualify for GS-15, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level: Providing expert-level direction for physical science research of national or agency importance; Serving as a principal scientific authority; Establishing scientific research standards, policies, methodologies, or long-term research strategies. Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of artificial intelligent (AI) or AI-assisted tools during the application process. Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of undergraduate or graduate education only (GS-11 and GS-12 research): In determining the NASA AST specific position title to which you are appointed, you may be required to have one of the following majors (this list is not inclusive): Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Astronautics, Earth and Planetary Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Space Science, Biology (botany, zoology, biophysics, radiation biology, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, toxicology), Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Astronomy, Astrophysics. Additional coursework in physical science, engineering, mathematics, life science, or other related fields may also be required depending on the position. Promotion Potential: The full performance level (FPL) will vary based on the position in which the selectee is placed and does not default to the highest grade advertised.

Evaluations

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet. Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website. You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. You will be assessed on the following competencies: Research Physical Sciences Technical Competence Planning and Evaluating Written Communication To preview the application questionnaire, click on the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13052997 NASA considers paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). 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. NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.

How to apply Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application and have all required information available. We encourage you to provide a complete description of your educational achievements and include both paid and non-paid work in the experience portion of your resume. If you submit a resume that does not contain the required information, you may lose consideration. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, you will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application process. Once logged in to your account, click on the "Apply" link. Follow the prompts to select your resume (2 pages or fewer) and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Resumes longer than 2 pages will be rejected by the system. Resumes submitted via other document types will not be forwarded to the hiring manager, nor will they be used in the review of your qualifications. We strongly encourage you to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder when creating your resume. Using the resume builder will help you ensure your resume includes important information related to your qualifications and eligibility for this position. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. During the application process you can review, edit, delete and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the 'Include Personal Information' section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the vacancy questionnaire which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify all required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. NASA's online application process provides step by step guidance to ensure you provide all needed information. If you are unable to apply online, please contact NSSC-STAFFING@MAIL.NASA.GOV for assistance. Be advised - application materials faxed, emailed, and/or mailed to Langley Research Center will not be accepted for this announcement. NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.

Other information In the Announcement Questionnaire, you will be prompted to select the location, occupational series (select as many as desired), and lowest grade you wish to be considered for. Supervisory and/or non-supervisory positions may be filled from this announcement at any applicable grade. Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement. For purposes of CTAP/ICTAP selection priority under 5 CFR part 330, subparts F and G, when specific positions are identified to be filled, well-qualified is defined in accordance with 5 CFR 330.704(a) as possessing knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies which clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must: Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility. Meet or exceed the well-qualified definition for the position being filled as described above. Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in "Required Documents" For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal government within the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/. Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit. Probationary Period You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Supervisory probationary periods are not subject to the above process, although, if a standard probationary period is required, you are subject to the conditions of both a standard probationary period and the supervisory probationary period.