Public Notice - General Physical Scientist (Direct Hire)

Positions advertised are located in various organizations at Langley Research Center (LaRC) and Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and support physical science activities across NASA programs, projects, systems, and mission needs. NASA may fill GS-1301 Physical Scientist positions at the GS-12/13/14/15 grade levels.

Major 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.
• Plans and conducts physical science studies, analyses, tests, and field or laboratory investigations using appropriate scientific methods, instrumentation, and analytical techniques.
• Develops, applies, and evaluates analytical, statistical, or computational models to assess physical phenomena, uncertainty, risk, and technical performance.
• Collects, manages, analyzes, and interprets scientific data; performs quality assurance and quality control; and communicates findings through reports, visualizations, and briefings.
• Develops and reviews technical requirements, test or sampling plans, procedures, specifications, and other scientific or technical documentation.
• Conducts technical reviews and assessments of in-house and contractor activities for scientific rigor, safety, quality, compliance, and completion of corrective actions.
• Integrates scientific and technical inputs across disciplines to support projects, programs, systems, and mission requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
• Plans and manages scientific projects or work packages, including scope, schedule, resources, performance, risks, and mitigation activities.
• Provides scientific advice and recommendations to management and stakeholders and represents the organization in technical reviews, working groups, and collaborative activities.

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. To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level: Performing physical science studies, analyses, or investigations involving the selection or application of scientific methods, data analysis, modeling, testing, or evaluation and developing technical findings or recommendations. To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level: Planning and leading physical science studies or assessments involving analytical, statistical, computational, or experimental methods and integrating scientific data to develop technical findings, solutions, or recommendations. To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level: Leading complex or multidisciplinary physical science projects, studies, or assessments involving the development or evaluation of scientific methods, requirements, or analytical approaches and providing technical guidance on significant scientific issues or risks. To qualify for GS-15, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level: Directing major physical science programs, projects, or technical initiatives involving multiple organizations or disciplines and providing authoritative scientific guidance on significant technical requirements, risks, standards, policies, or decisions. 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. 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.

Education

This position requires education or exceptional experience Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following: a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science, including digital computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations. If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above. Applicants who do not fully meet the basic education requirement may still be considered if they possess exceptional relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience, that clearly demonstrates significant full performance-level achievement directly related to the duties of this position. Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org. Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/. Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.