Research Physical Scientist Job in Hampton - 96356097 - ZANILRQKDZPO6

Job Title:
Research Physical Scientist

Department:
US National Aeronautics & Space Administration

Agency:
Langley Research CenterSub

Agency:
Science Directorate

Job Announcement Number:
LA11D0079

SALARY RANGE:
$68,809.00 - $89,450.00 /year

OPEN PERIOD:
Monday, February 07, 2011 to Tuesday, February 07, 2012
SERIES & GRADE:GS-1301-12/12

POSITION INFORMATION:
Full-Time Term appointment NTE 2 years

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
12

DUTY LOCATIONS:
Few vacancy(s) in one of the following locations: Hampton

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
This announcement is open to all qualified U.S citizens.

JOB SUMMARY:NASA, the world's leader in space and aeronautics is always seeking outstanding scientists, engineers, and other talented professionals to carry forward the great discovery process that its mission demands. Creativity. Ambition. Teamwork. A sense of daring. And a probing mind. That's what it takes to join NASA, one of the best places to work in the Federal Government.



This position will serve as a research physical scientist specializing in active and passive remote sennins and scientific analysis for atmospheric research in the Science Directorate.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS Annoucement which establishes an inventory of resumes, where referral lists will be generated to fill vacancies as they occur. The first cutoff for applicants to be considered will be February 15, 2011.

This announcement will be used to fill GS-12 level positions in Science related fields.

Relocation expenses may be authorized.

NOTE: Applications for this vacancy announcement will remain active for 90 days from the date of the application. Candidates must monitor this 90 day period and reapply after that date to be continuously considered for positions.

This is a term appointment not to exceed 2 years but may be extended up to a total of 6 years. After 2 years these positions may be made permanent at management's discretion.

TO RECEIVE CONSIDERATION, YOU MUST SUBMIT A RESUME AND ANSWER NASA-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. THE NASA QUESTIONS APPEAR AFTER YOU SUBMIT YOUR RESUME AND ARE TRANSFERRED TO A NASA WEB SITE. IF YOU SUCCESSFULLY APPLY, USAJOBS WILL SHOW YOUR APPLICATION STATUS AS "RESUME RECEIVED." IF YOUR STATUS IS "APPLICATION STARTED," YOU HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED. DO NOT RELY ONLY ON THE USAJOBS STATUS TO CONFIRM SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION; ONLY AN EMAIL FROM NASA CONFIRMS SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION.

NASA uses the USAJobs resume as the basic application document. NASA limits resumes to the equivalent of about six typed pages, or approximately 22,000 characters (including spaces). You cannot complete the application process if your USAJobs resume is too long. More information about the NASA application process is also available under the "How to Apply" section of this announcement.


KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation
• A one-year probationary period may be required
• U.S. citizenship is required
• Applicants must possess at least a Bachelor's Degree

Additional Duty Location Info:
Hampton


This position is a research physical scientist located in the Science Directorate (SD) and specializes in analysis of active and passive remote sensing data for atmospheric research. Research is focused on developing and implementing remote sensing instruments and related research programs that advance the understanding of clouds, aerosols, key atmospheric species, and the Earth’s radiation balance and determine their impact on atmospheric processes and climate. These areas have been identified as critical uncertainties in current estimates of global warming and represent key research priorities of the NASA Science Mission Directorate and within the Climate Change Science Program. This position will also provide support for SD missions and contributes to proposal efforts to competitively obtain funding for research projects aligned with Agency strategic goals and objectives.

The scientist has broad responsibilities to develop and apply remote sensing techniques to study aerosols, clouds, and atmospheric composition and their role in the Earth’s climate system. Provides expertise for developing, applying, and maturing algorithms and software for analyzing current and next-generation airborne/spaceborne active/passive remote sensing data sets including those from high spectral resolution lidar systems in order to answer critical questions concerning the role of aerosols and clouds on the climate system. Develops mathematical techniques to derive physical parameters from lidar measurements including cloud and aerosol detection, retrieval of aerosol extinction, airmass characterization, and comparison of results with in-situ measurements. Supports field operations to acquire data from ground-based and airborne active remote sensing (lidar) instruments. This includes data acquisition, quick turn-around of data products in the field, and real-time diagnosis and troubleshooting of software systems. The scientist is responsible for complex investigations that utilize both theoretical models and experimental data to quantify relationships between aerosols, clouds, meteorological parameters, and remotely sensed radiation data over various time and space scales.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of undergraduate or graduate education only:
Any appropriate field of engineering, physical or computer science or mathematics. Study must include or be supplemented by six semester hours or the equivalent in appropriate life or other natural science courses, and include or be supplemented by at least two courses which would provide knowledge of subjects appropriate to the vacancy being filled.

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
(a) Professional experience in an area specializing in active and remote sensing data for atmospheric research; or
(b) Any combination of experience and graduate study; or
(c) Completion of all requirements for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field which specialized in atmoshperic research (active and remote sensing).

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Resumes will be rated by an automated system (Resumix) that matches the competencies extracted from the candidate's resume to the competencies identified by the selecting official for the position. Candidates will be evaluated on the competencies they possess that are directly related to the duties of the job, as described in the announcement. Candidates should refer to NASA's Applicant Guide for assistance in developing a complete resume, as NASA will not accept separate KSA statements."

Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality levels based on the degree to which their competencies meet the duties required. A human resources specialist will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the selecting official. For the purpose of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), candidates rated in the top quality level are considered well-qualified.


BENEFITS:NASA offers excellent benefit programs and competitive salaries. To learn more about pay and benefits at NASA, click HERE.
OTHER INFORMATION:Any applicant tentatively selected for this position may be required to undergo a pre-employment background investigation.

U.S. citizenship is required.

Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. See "How You Will Be Evaluated" for definition of well qualified.

Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP consideration must indicate their eligibility when applying for a position. The USAJOBS resume asks you to identify your ICTAP eligibility; the NASA Supplemental Information asks you to identify your CTAP eligibility. If you are selected for the position, you must be prepared to submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

In order to receive preference in hiring, you must clearly identify your claim for veterans preference on your resume. NASA's Applicant Guide provides the information needed to assist you in determining whether or not you can claim 5 or 10 point veterans preference. You should not submit documents to prove your eligibility for veterans preference at this time. However, you must be prepared to submit proof of veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, SF-15 plus proof required by that form) as requested by the Human Resources Office. Veterans preference will only be considered based on what is supported. For instance, if you claim 10-point preference, but are only able to document 5-point preference, you will be considered accordingly. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.

Your USAJOBS account asks you to assign a name to each of your resumes. When you apply to a NASA position, we will show you the text of the resume you have submitted, but we do not maintain the name you have assigned to that resume. If you wish to keep track of that information, we recommend you make note of it at the time you apply.




HOW TO APPLY:This vacancy is being filled through NASA STARS, an automated Staffing and Recruitment System. NASA partners with USAJOBS in providing a seamless application process. Before you begin the application process, please read the vacancy announcement carefully and have all required information available. You may begin the process of submitting your resume by clicking on the "Apply Online" link.

In order to be considered, you must submit a resume completed on the USAJOBS site. When completing your USAJOBS resume, please remember that NASA limits resumes to the equivalent of approximately SIX typed pages, or approximately 22,000 characters including spaces. You will NOT be allowed to complete the application process if your resume is too long or if your resume was uploaded to USAJobs from a second source. Additionally, NASA does not accept documents that you are allowed to attach through USAJobs.

Once you submit your resume to NASA, you will be asked to complete a short series of additional questions. You must finish the entire process in order to have a complete application package and receive consideration. Your answers will not be saved unless you finish the entire application.

You may edit a previously-submitted application, if the announcement is still open. For more information, see the Applicant Guide.

If you are unable to apply electronically for this position, submit your resume and supplemental questions to: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Resume Operations Center, Mailstop: HS50, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812. DO NOT submit your resume directly to the Center advertising this vacancy. Mailed resumes must be received by the close of business on the closing date of the announcement. Hard copy resumes requirements are provided at: Hard Copy Resume Requirements.

If you are a first time applicant, we recommend that you review NASA's Applicant Guide to ensure that you are providing a complete resume. Failure to submit the supplemental data and a resume that contains all of the required information may result in loss of consideration for positions in which you are interested.

All applications must be received no later than midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.


REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:NASA's application process has been specifically developed to ensure that we only ask you for the information we absolutely need to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility. In order to apply for this position, you only need to submit your resume and answer the screening questions and supplemental information. No additional documentation is accepted at the time of application. (For example you need not submit narrative "KSA" statements; they are not required and will not be evaluated.) In this way we allow you to focus on preparing a resume that best describes your background and abilities. For assistance in preparing your resume, consult the Applicant Guide.

Nothing further is required until requested by the Human Resources Office. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume. For example, we may ask you to provide academic transcripts or proof of Federal employment status. If you are claiming veterans' preference, we may ask you to submit proof of veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, SF-15 plus proof required by that form). If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.


AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Sherry Carraway
Phone: 757-864-2558
Email: LaRC-DL-LaRC-Jobs@mail.nasa.gov Agency Information:
NASA's Resume Operations Center
Mailstop: HS50
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:Candidates for NASA positions are evaluated using our automated staffing and recruitment system, NASA STARS, which compares your skills and experience as described in your resume with the requirements of the position. If you are found to be a highly qualified candidate, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. (In some cases, individuals with priority for special consideration must be considered and selected before other candidates.) Whether or not you are contacted for an interview depends upon the location of the position and the judgment of the selecting official.

At NASA, we pride ourselves on efficient and timely recruitment actions, and you can normally expect to learn the outcome of the selection process in a fairly short period of time. In addition, to ensure that you can measure progress for yourself, NASA provides you with regularly updated information on the status of the vacancy announcement.