Astrophysicist (IS-1330-14)

OPENING DATE: August 21, 2025
CLOSING DATE: September 1, 2025
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: High Energy Astrophysics Division
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.

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, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Childcare), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

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 High Energy Astrophysics Division, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

Duties

1. Conduct a program of advanced studies in solar-stellar physics, capitalizing on SAO-led space- and ground-based experiments.

2. Formulate an independent research program of considerable scope and complexity in areas which are new and unexplored, by locating and exploring the most fruitful avenues of research to study. Formulate research plans and hypotheses and carry them through to completion by submitting proposals, developing models, reducing and analyzing data, interpreting findings (taking full responsibility for technical accuracy), determining the applicability of findings to activities and interests of the Division and the Observatory, and publishing the conclusions. Apply findings in the preparation of and for such future programs.

3. Interact with members of the High Energy Solar-Stellar X-ray Group (SSXG) at SAO and other scientists and support staff for SSXG flight programs, to define and carry out scientific analyses, take part in data reduction and analysis, generate requirements and specifications for scientific programs, develop analysis plans, analyze and review scientific data and observations, and correct or enhance the data analysis system.

4. Conceive of and develop new instrumentation for use in ground-based and spacecraft observatories.

5. Participate in the development of analysis software for the relevant scientific studies; develop new analysis procedures for data from SSXG flight programs and other astronomical data sources; provide input and guidance to others on enhancements and features to include in the scientific data processing and data analysis activities.

6. Prepare papers presenting research results for publication in scientific journals and presentation at scientific meetings and conferences. Attend professional meetings for the purpose of presenting new results and participating in the discussion of related efforts by other scientists. Referee papers submitted to scientific journals and participate on NASA peer review committees.

7. Direct and manage research staff, pre- and post-doctoral researchers, engineers and other research participants as required. Organize, plan, and supervise the activities of said staff. Assign personnel to projects, set priorities, establish deadlines, monitor progress, review work, recommend and/or take disciplinary action, give advice, counsel, or instruction to team members, determine training needs and arrange for training as appropriate, interview and hire new team members, approve leave.

8. Perform other related duties as assigned.

A)Degree in one of a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science or electronics, including course work in differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy or physics; OR

B) A combination of education and experience equivalent to A above including 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.

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts shown below:

Grade 14
A minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 13 in the normal line of progression for this occupation, which should demonstrate: skill in developing novel hardware and software for remote sensing space missions, and a demonstrated ability to conduct research and/or software-development that furthers the needs of the astrophysics, heliophysics and planetary science communities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:

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.

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. 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.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected]. 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 committed to diversity in our workplace. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is joined by Harvard College Observatory to form the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. The Center is a collaboration between Harvard and Smithsonian designed to ask — and ultimately answer — humanity’s greatest unresolved questions about the nature of the universe. Founded in 1973, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is an ongoing collaboration designed to foster innovation and propel discovery. Our mission is to advance knowledge of the Universe through research in astronomy and astrophysics and in related areas of fundamental physics and geophysics.

At the CfA, scientists in a broad range of disciplines study the universe at every scale, from every wavelength, and using telescopes and instruments that span and orbit the globe, all with a single purpose: making groundbreaking discoveries that advance human knowledge.