OPENING DATE: April 14, 2025
CLOSING DATE: May 14, 2025
SERIES/GRADE: 1330/11
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust (Non-Federal) Temporary, Not to Exceed 2 years, with the possibility of extension for an additional year based on funding.
DIVISION: High Energy Astrophysics Division
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, or nationals of a country eligible to be approved for an export license).  

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care). 

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
The position serves to train postdoctoral researchers to conceive, plan and conduct highly specialized research in astrophysics. The incumbent will be expected to perform scholarly research, instrumentation in the lab, on sounding rockets, and on satellite payloads, plus participate in making contributions to the physical fields of science.

1. Conduct a program of research and scholarship in solar physics focusing on energy transfer in solar eruptions under the supervision and direction of the supervisor.

2.  Participate in the development of new designs for space-borne, airborne or ground-based hardware.

3. Conduct laboratory experiments, simulations and studies to evaluate the design, performance, and calibration of solar or astrophysical instruments being built at the Observatory.

4.  Formulate and conduct independent research on the Sun, heliophysics, planetary science, or astrophysics using both archival and proprietary data from space- and ground-based observations. 

5. Contribute to papers presenting research results for publication in scientific journals and presentation at conferences. Participate in scientific meetings and conferences to discuss current research with other scientists. 

6. Assists in the development of software and procedures of the reduction, analysis and interpretation of data as needed; or assists in the development of analytical methods and/or software to model physical processes and conditions

7.  Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which engaged, for example prepare papers for publication in scientific journals, prepare and present findings at scientific meetings, as required. 

8. Support, as required, the development of proposals for research funding pertaining to solar physics, heliophysics, planetary science, and/or astrophysics.

9.  Mentor and assist, as appropriate and directed, the research graduate students, undergraduates or summer interns, as required. 

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.

Additional Requirements: 
Candidates for 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:
·  Knowledge of physics/astrophysics as might be evidenced by a PhD Degree or comparable professional experience.

· Ability to present findings in a publishable format and to present material at professional meetings.

· Ability to apply modern computer technology to the solution of scientific programs.

·  Knowledge of scientific programming, modern methods of software generation, verification, and documentation. 

· Ability to work effectively as part of a research group or scientific team. Knowledge of the technical methods, principles and practices of the field of space physics, solar physics, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, or physics.

· Ability to utilize computer technology in the solution of scientific problems. 

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

 

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

  

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

 
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.  

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

 

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

 

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/