Communications Project Scientist for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

The Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center plans to hire a Project Scientist specializing in Science Communications into a permanent civil servant scientist position. This Research Astrophysicist (civil service scientist) position is a GS-13 Term Hire, not to exceed 6 years, with conversion eligibility.

This will be a 2-step process. The first phase, through July 19, 2023, seeks declarations of interest in this position via a submitted letter of interest and other documents (see below). The second phase will be a USAJOBS posting, anticipated for the end of July/early August, no earlier than July 20, 2023. Those who respond during phase 1 will receive additional, specific notification when the respective USAJOBS opportunity opens. Note that phase 1 is the ‘strongly encouraged’ phase and phase 2 is the ‘required’ phase.

Roman is a NASA astrophysics flagship mission expected to launch in late 2026 that will perform wide-area and time-domain surveys of the universe at visible and near-infrared wavelengths. The primary mission objectives are studies in cosmology and exoplanet demographics, but a wide range of astrophysical investigations are anticipated.

Successful candidates are expected to conduct an independent program of theoretical and/or observational astronomical research relevant to Roman’s mission objectives and will be a fully integrated member of the Roman Project Science team at Goddard. Additionally, this role will entail being the primary liaison between the Project Science team and the Goddard Office of Communications (OCOM), and will also coordinate with other Communications teams at NASA Goddard and NASA HQ as necessary.  Specific communications duties will include technical review of public facing products (including NASA news Features and website content); working closely with the Goddard OCOM Astrophysics Communications Manager and ASD Assoc. Dir. for Communications; helping direct production of multimedia products; occasional public speaking, media appearances, and outreach; and serving as the primary POC for Romans Science Communications activities to partnering scientific organizations.  This is a Term Hire, not to exceed 6 years, with conversion eligibility

US citizenship is required at the time of the Phase 2/USAJOBS application in July/August 2023; those who are expecting U.S. citizenship by the time of the Phase 2 opportunity are encouraged to submit materials during Phase 1, even if they do not yet have their U.S. citizenship. A Ph.D. degree is required. This is an early and/or mid- career position: the appointment is for a GS-13 position with salary commensurate with the applicant’s past experience. Interested applicants should send a letter stating their interest, a CV, a statement of research interests, and the names of at least three independent references (which should be contained within the aforementioned documents) to Ms. Alicia Jose ([email protected]) by July 19, 2023. Please use the subject line “2023 Roman Communications Scientist Position”. Inquiries about the position may be addressed to Dr. Julie McEnery, Roman Project Scientist at [email protected]  or Dr. Amber Straughn, ASD Associate Director for Communications at [email protected]. Additional application material will be required through Phase 2 via the USAJobs website; the USAJobs posting is anticipated for End of July/Early August.

NASA GSFC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.