Posting 24-80

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates. This is a career ladder position with promotion potential to grade 14. If selection is made at the grade 13 level the selectee may be non-competitively promoted to the next higher level up to the grade 14 upon recommendation of the supervisor based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance, qualifications of the employee and recommendation of the Professional Accomplishments Evaluation Committee. 

INTRODUCTION:

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support.  Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants. 

SUMMARY:

This is the position of Astrophysicist in the Minor Planet Center, part of the Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Sciences Division, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), Cambridge, MA.  The purpose of the position is to serve as the Technical Lead for the Minor Planet Center project.

MAJOR DUTIES:

• The incumbent works with the Minor Planet Center Director and Minor Planet Center Project Scientist to oversee the development of new procedures for processing and classifying observations of minor planets, as submitted to the Minor Planet Center. This may require substantial development of orbital integration and propagation routines and hence require advanced knowledge of the principles of astrophysical orbital dynamics.
• Work with the Minor Planet Center Director to oversee the development of new services to facilitate automated access to the MPC’s data holdings by the astronomy community. This will require a sophisticated understanding of astronomical research methods employed across the astronomy community in order to design these novel services.
• Work with the Minor Planet Center Director to oversee the redeployment of all MPC services from local-servers onto virtualized platforms.
• Work with the Minor Planet Center Director in overseeing the ongoing evaluation of the operational performance of the Minor Planet Center’s technical infrastructure. Identify potential problems and suggest improvements.
• Work with the Minor Planet Center Director to ensure that the Minor Planet Center is adequately prepared for the large increase in data volume from future surveys such as the Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time and the NEO Surveyor mission.  This may require the development of scalable, containerized processing functionality.
• Work with the Minor Planet Center at conferences and other meetings, in interactions with the Small Bodies Node of the NASA Planetary Data System, or in interactions with the NASA Planetary Defense Coordination Office, as needed by the Minor Planet Center Director.
• Write Minor Planet Center performance reports to support the operations of the Minor Planet Center.  Employ advanced knowledge of astrophysical principals and research methods to conduct independent research in astrophysics.
• Employ advanced knowledge of astrophysical principals and research methods to contribute to the development of new funding proposals to expand the scope of astrophysical activities undertaken at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
• Perform other assignments as required.

• The incumbent manages extensive project within the Minor Planet Center.  Develops and maintains long and near-term plans, including personnel, budget, hardware, software, and schedule resources. Represents the agency on technology and functional steering groups and working groups to generate plans, guidance, agreements, and technical findings. Represents the project in dealings with senior management in various agency components, other government departments, and foreign representatives to establish goals, and/or to resolve conflicts.
• Lead the development of new procedures for processing and classifying observations of minor planets, as submitted to the Minor Planet Center. This may require substantial development of orbital integration and propagation routines and hence require advanced knowledge of the principles of astrophysical orbital dynamics.  Lead the development of new services to facilitate automated access to the MPC’s data holdings by the astronomy community. This will require a sophisticated understanding of astronomical research methods employed across the astronomy community in order to design these novel services.
• Lead the redeployment of MPC services from local servers onto virtualized platforms.  Lead the ongoing evaluation of the operational performance of the Minor Planet Center’s technical infrastructure. Identify potential problems and suggest improvements.

• Advanced skill and knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of astronomy, astrophysics, or physics as may be evidenced by a Ph.D. degree or comparable professional experience.
• Ability to work effectively independently or as part of a research group or scientific team.
• Skill in preparing scientific results for publication in scientific journals and presentation at professional conferences, particularly in the area of orbit determination of celestial bodies.
• Knowledge of the principles of astrophysics as well as a high degree of scholarly competence necessary to develop, formulate and conduct original independent research and build a program, particularly in the field of small body populations and exoplanet systems.
• Demonstrated ability to perform a project management role in an academic software environment, including supervising academic software developers and overseeing external contractors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage software development projects using modern version control software (such as github) and task management software (such as Jira)
• Ability to lead a project and supervise personnel.

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable. 
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.