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National Aeronautics & Space Administration

Supervisory Research Physical Scientist, AST, Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics

National Aeronautics & Space Administration, Greenbelt, MD


DutiesDirect Goddard’s Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Lab to study changes in atmospheric composition affecting radiation, air quality, and ozone. Align with NASA’s mission and foster impactful research outcomes.Build partnerships across NASA, federal agencies, and global science to extend lab impact. Integrate satellite data, models, and observations to advance collaborative studies on atmospheric composition.Promote technology innovation in remote sensing, data science, and AI to position the lab as a leader in atmospheric chemistry. Drive development of advanced methods to enhance understanding of long-term changes in atmospheric composition.Ensure timely delivery of scientific research and technical outputs supporting the lab’s mission. Manage resources, commit funds early, mitigate risks, and achieve milestones, maintaining NASA’s high standards for scientific excellence.Address team needs to build a skilled, adaptable workforce supporting the lab’s mission. Encourage learning in key areas like modeling, remote sensing, and trace gas monitoring to enhance understanding of atmospheric composition.Lead efforts to secure research opportunities, missions, and field experiments aligned with lab priorities. Support proposal development and partnerships to advance studies on stratospheric ozone, tropospheric composition, and climate impacts.Foster a diverse and inclusive work culture within the lab, supporting outreach efforts to attract qualified candidates from varied backgrounds. Promote an environment that values diverse perspectives, enhancing research quality and team performance.Advance mission outcomes through automation, collaborative technologies, and digital transformation. Implement practices to improve operational and scientific productivity, supporting atmospheric composition research goals.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.Foster a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champion NASA's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to create an environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.Requirements Conditions of EmploymentThis position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.Position subject to pre-employment background investigation.You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement.A one-year supervisory probationary period may be required. 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.GS-15: To qualify at the GS-15 level, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level: Leading atmospheric science research teams, with a focus on managing resources and aligning laboratory activities with mission objectives in atmospheric composition and dynamics;Establishing and managing partnerships with industry, other federal agencies, or scientific organizations, driving collaborative success in areas such as ozone monitoring, air quality research, and/or global change impacts on our planets atmosphere;Implementing innovative, data-driven management strategies that enhance productivity and operational efficiency, particularly in advancing research on atmospheric chemistry and dynamics involving ground-based, airborne, and/or space based observations. 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. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process. EducationBasic 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. Degrees in engineering technology are not considered qualifying for 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 .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, .Science and other related degreesearned 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 .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: . All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation. Additional informationAdditional 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. 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 the minimum qualifications requirements for the position - Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents' For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - Help 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. Review our benefitsEligibility 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.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.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 vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. You will be assessed on the following competencies: Customer Service Decision Making Earth AtmosphereLeadershipTechnical Competence Technology Application 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.