Posting 24-07

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all qualified candidates. First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date.

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.

DUTIES:

1. 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.
2. Participate in the preparation and submittal of proposals for studies using appropriate space- and/or ground-based facilities.
3. Develop and carry out data reduction of observations from satellite and/or ground-based experiments, analyze and model the resulting multi-wavelength datasets.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Performs other duties as assigned.

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. or

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

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE: We will only accept applications online for this position. To view the complete vacancy posting, requirements and the procedures to apply, please visit USAJOBS

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact the Human Resources Specialist listed. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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