CEDAR email: JOB OPENING: Goddard’s ITM Laboratory is seeking an experienced electric field researcher (federal civil service)

Wed Jul 15 09:58:24 MDT 2020

JOB OPENING:  Goddard’s ITM Laboratory is seeking an experienced electric field researcher (federal civil service)

The Ionosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere Physics Laboratory (ITM Lab) at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is seeking to hire a scientist with expertise in electric field measurements in geophysical plasmas, ideally with both experimental and data analytical expertise. Successful applicants will have had previous experience analyzing electric field (DC and/or wave) data from orbital or suborbital platforms, the ability to conceive and pursue independent investigations, and a desire to work as part of a team on a wide range of problems in geophysical electrodynamics.

The selectee would become an integral part of a strong electric field and electrodynamics research group at NASA. Electric field research at Goddard began in the 1960s and has been a core part of Goddard’s instrumentation and analysis effort ever since. The electric field research group typically performs one or more sounding rocket investigations per year, as well as data analysis from a wide range of past satellite and sounding rocket datasets. In addition, we have an active satellite hardware development program and are currently pursuing more opportunities to fly instruments on spacecraft, as we did with the recent Vector Electric Field Investigation (VEFI) experiment on the C/NOFS satellite.

GSFC’s ITM Lab, established in 2018, is the newest group in the Heliophysics Division, and consists of over forty researchers studying a range of topics from mesospheric dynamics and chemistry, thermosphere-ionosphere coupling, and magnetosphere-atmosphere coupling. Researchers in the Lab are independent, but also work collaboratively both within NASA and as part of vitally important partnerships with the larger Heliophysics community. Among the many efforts in the Lab and Division, there are very active programs performing investigations on sounding rockets, cubesats, and “standard” satellites, with the potential for the selectee to become involved with existing programs as well as to conceive and implement their own ideas. Major near-term thrusts for the electric field group include pursuit of several high-impact sounding rocket investigations, and development of double-probe electric field instrumentation for strategic NASA Heliospheric and Planetary missions as well as Explorer missions. GSFC’s Heliophysics Science Division is the largest Heliophysics research institution in the world, providing many opportunities for cross-disciplinary work. The selectee would be part of a group of over 300 researchers working on a range of problems spanning the full range of Heliophysics

This position is a federal civil service position, with the potential for tenure after a one-year probation period. It is being offered at the GS-14 level. Funding is available to offset relocation expenses.

The position is open only to US Citizens.

Concerning the start date, we are flexible, particularly given the COVID situation, and can negotiate a variety of potential options for a successful applicant, ranging from a delayed start to remote telework until the situation is resolved. The expectation is that ultimately the duty station will be in Greenbelt, MD.

Please note that while the description of the responsibilities for the position details the ultimate performance desired from the selectee, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have done all of those things in their previous work experience in order to be considered for this position. If you have passion for the work, along with related experience, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on-the-job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

The position announcement will be released on USAJobs, on August 5. Due to the current federal hiring process, the vacancy will only be open to applications for seven days, closing on August 12. The announcement number will be: GS20H0139.

The link to the USAJobs application site for this position (viewable, but not active until August 5) is:
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/573155600

In order to apply, we recommend that applicants familiarize themselves with the USAJobs system, which will include setting up an account, and building a CV in the system, using the online tools. This can be done in advance of the August 5 vacancy opening date.

If you, or someone you know, may be interested, please forward this announcement to them.

If you have questions, please contact:

               Doug Rowland
               Chief, ITM Lab
               NASA GSFC
               Douglas.E.Rowland at nasa.gov<mailto:Douglas.E.Rowland at nasa.gov>

                Alexa Halford
                Associate Chief, ITM Lab
                NASA GSFC
                Alexa.J.Halford at nasa.gov

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