Research Security Analyst

NIST is seeking a Research Security Analyst with expertise in critical and emerging technologies to provide strategic guidance, technical reviews, and operational oversight to safeguard the agency's scientific integrity and research compliance.

This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

1. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

   or

2. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the above basic requirements, this position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 (ZP-3 at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience conducting research on critical and emerging technologies, reviewing research proposals, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders on complex research and national security matters.


Experience refers to 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.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Responsibilities:

As a critical member of the NIST Research Security team, you will:

• Using scientific expertise, conduct research security reviews of complex research proposals, collaborative agreements, and international partnerships to identify potential vulnerabilities, foreign influence, or technology transfer risks.
• Monitor global trends to identify vulnerabilities in specific research areas and develop safeguards to protect sensitive NIST intellectual property and data.
• Perform research security due diligence reviews, ensuring that all scientific portfolios align with evolving federal directives.
• Evaluate cutting-edge research proposals, international collaborations, and cooperative agreements (e.g., CRADAs) to identify vulnerabilities related to critical and emerging technologies, provide recommendations and reports.

Salary : $121,785