Director, Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI)

Summary

As the Director of the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), the incumbent plans, directs, and coordinates the scientific activities of the Institute. This includes providing scientific advice and recommendations to advance multidisciplinary research supporting science and human exploration in areas such as lunar, planetary, and space science.

Duties

• The Director, Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI): Provides strategic direction and guidance for the Institute, fostering collaboration among multidisciplinary scientific and organizational partners to advance lunar and planetary science and communicate results to scientists, educators, and the public. Provides guidance and oversight for competitively selected SSERVI teams that investigate basic and applied science questions aimed at advancing understanding of the formation, evolution, and current state of the Solar System, including research relevant to human exploration. Partners with stakeholders to develop periodic solicitations for SSERVI research teams and ensure mission directorates in the review and competitive selection of those teams. Enhances the effectiveness and impact of SSERVI by identifying a strategy for integrating international partners into the Institute's activities. Ensures that the Institute remains at the cutting edge of using technology to enable effective and efficient use of virtual communications tools to integrate the geographically dispersed SSERVI teams. Leads scientific and programmatic oversight of the Institute and its Agency-selected research teams ("nodes"), ensuring alignment with NASA's strategic objectives for lunar and planetary science and human exploration. Advises on Institute budget priorities and investment strategies and contributes to the development and administration of cooperative agreements. Collaborates with stakeholders to develop research solicitations, define scientific focus areas, and shape program priorities. Supports the peer review and evaluation of research proposals, provides recommendations regarding the selection of new research teams, and facilitates the implementation of cooperative agreements. Also prepares annual program reports, provides strategic and programmatic updates to Headquarters sponsors, and coordinates scientific meetings and activities that foster collaboration and advance Institute objectives. Serves as the Institute's principal liaison to internal stakeholders, international partners, the scientific community, and the public, advancing the Institute's mission through strategic engagement and collaboration. Advocates for the integration of scientific research into NASA's current and future human exploration initiatives and provides expert guidance on matters affecting the Institute's strategic direction. Convenes an annual science conference; cultivates partnerships across the science and exploration communities through domestic and international engagement, including travel to international meetings, conferences, and partner organizations; and promotes broad awareness of the Institute's research, accomplishments, and contributions to exploration objectives.

Qualifications

Candidates must be a recognized subject matter expert with at least 1 year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-15 level in leading a multidisciplinary scientific research program focused on fields such as lunar, planetary, or space science. This includes establishing strategic research priorities, leading research teams, allocating resources, and collaborating with stakeholders across government, industry, or academia to advance scientific discovery, human and robotic exploration of the solar system, and cross-disciplinary research between science and exploration communities. Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement, or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the position. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of artificial intelligent (AI) or AI-assisted tools during the application process. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, your resume must also address both Senior Level (SL) Evaluation Criteria listed below. Failure to address these criteria will result in your application being rated ineligible. SL EVALUATION CRITERIA: 1. Technical Competence and Leadership Led technical/discipline teams to advance or enable state-of-the-art solutions in science, engineering, or mission enabling functions. Developed or implemented innovative methodologies or technologies to solve complex scientific, engineering or mission enabling problems. Led or supported collaborative partnerships with industry, academic, or government organizations to advance scientific, engineering, or mission enabling technical capabilities at national or international levels. 2. Professional Contributions and Influence Leveraged expertise and integration skills to resolve technical/discipline challenges for complex systems. Demonstrated impact in technical discipline to solve issues or improve operational effectiveness. Chaired or presented at professional conference sessions or technical forums to share expertise and influence field development. Developed or mentored students or professional practitioners in scientific, engineering or mission enabling communities. Shared technical knowledge or innovations that were adopted by outside organizations with documented results. Please refer to the "How you will be evaluated" section for a list of competencies that you will be evaluated on.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. To be eligible, you must clearly state in your resume the following: degree, major and/or minor, and college/university. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major study in engineering, physical science, mathematics, life sciences, computer science, or other field of science. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section and submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume to be included with your application package. Your uploaded resume may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit:https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Faxed, emailed, and/or mailed application materials will not be accepted for this announcement. NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.