Chief of Gravitational Astrophysics Laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

The Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center plans to hire a Chief for the Gravitational Astrophysics Laboratory (Code 663) into a permanent civil servant scientist position. The hire is for a GS-15 Supervisory Research Astrophysicist position.

The selected individual will serve as the Chief of the Gravitational Astrophysics Laboratory. The Gravitational Astrophysics Laboratory (Code 663) conducts a broad range of scientific investigations into astrophysical regimes dominated by extreme gravity. The laboratory provides the scientific and technical leadership to develop space-based gravitational wave observatories and includes a mix of theorists and experimentalists. Research encompasses a variety of areas, including numerical relativity, gravitational-wave sources and data analysis, mission formulation, theoretical modeling of high energy astrophysical sources, and precision metrology. 

Much of the Laboratory’s work focuses on the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission.  LISA is a space-based gravitational wave observatory building on the success of LISA Pathfinder and LIGO.  Led by ESA, the LISA mission is a collaboration of ESA, NASA, and an international consortium of scientists.  Goddard is the home of the NASA LISA Project Science team and is responsible for delivering two major instrument components: the lasers and the telescopes.

We are looking for a leader who has a strategic vision for expanding the role of the Gravitational Astrophysics Laboratory to more broadly and effectively provide scientific leadership to support NASA’s objective to expand human scientific understanding of the physical universe. In addition to research, that vision might include:

• formulating approaches for gravitational radiation measurements complementary to and beyond LISA taking advantage of new instrumental capabilities; exploring new directions for numerical relativity and theoretical studies of high energy astrophysical phenomena utilizing state-of-the-art tools (including AI/ML); expansion of the Laboratory’s activities into the realm of fundamental physics from space; strengthening of current partnerships and Development of new ones with other Goddard; directorates, academic institutions, NASA centers, federal research centers, and industry.

Responsibilities of the position include:

• pursue independent astrophysics research in areas related to the objectives of the Gravitational Astrophysics Laboratory;
• perform all duties expected of a GSFC first-line supervisor including planning, budget oversight, workforce planning, performance evaluation, space allocation, timecard and travel approvals, etc.;
• develop and implement a strategic vision for the Gravitational Astrophysics Laboratory consistent with those of NASA, GSFC, and the GSFC Astrophysics Science Division.
• manage and hire personnel in accordance with the Laboratory’s strategic vision and with the needs of flight projects led within the Laboratory (e.g., LISA);
• foster a Lab culture of engagement, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation by creating a work environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.

The hiring process consists of two steps.  The first phase, through January 31, 2025, 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 February 1, 2025. 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.

This is a permanent hire. US citizenship is required at the time of the Phase 2/USAJOBS application; 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 a mid-career or senior position: the appointment is for a GS-15 position with salary commensurate with the applicant’s experience. Interested applicants should send a letter stating their interest in and specific qualifications for the position, 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. Cris Hogue (crystal.m.hogue@nasa.gov) by January 31, 2025. Please use the subject line “Gravitational Astrophysics Lab Chief”. Inquiries about the position may be addressed to Dr. Robert Petre, ASD Division Director, at robert.petre-1@nasa.gov.  Additional application material will be required through Phase 2 via the USAJobs website; the USAJobs posting is anticipated for February 1, 2025.

NASA GSFC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.