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.
Clarification from the agency
This position is open to all qualified candidates. First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date.
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.
Conditions of Employment
- Must participate in direct deposit/electronic funds for salary payment
- Pre- and post-appointment background investigation is required.
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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.
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
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.
Review our benefits
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.
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.
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.
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.
Next steps
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