[Hiring] Director, Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute @Ames Research Center

Role Description

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.

• 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.
• 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.
• Promotes broad awareness of the Institute's research, accomplishments, and contributions to exploration objectives.

Qualifications

• Recognized subject matter expert with at least 1 year of directly related experience equivalent to the GS-15 level in leading a multidisciplinary scientific research program focused on fields such as lunar, planetary, or space science.
• Experience in 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.
• Must address both Senior Level (SL) Evaluation Criteria:
• Technical Competence and Leadership: Led technical/discipline teams to advance or enable state-of-the-art solutions in science, engineering, or mission enabling functions.
• Professional Contributions and Influence: Leveraged expertise and integration skills to resolve technical/discipline challenges for complex systems.

Requirements

• File an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report' (OGE-278e) within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• Successful completion of a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
• Successful completion of pre-employment and random drug testing may be required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance as required by the position.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.

Education

• 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.
• Official transcript will be required if selected.
• If using foreign education, must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs.