Director, Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI)

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration; California (MO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) seeks a Director to plan, direct, and coordinate scientific activities supporting lunar, planetary, and space science. The role requires leading multidisciplinary teams, guiding program priorities, and partnering with national and international stakeholders to advance exploration objectives.

The Director will oversee research teams, develop solicitations, and ensure alignment with NASA's strategic goals while communicating

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a relevant science/engineering field.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary research programs.
• Strong ability to engage stakeholders across government, industry, and academia.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for SSERVI and coordinate scientific activities.
• Oversee teams and allocate resources to advance lunar, planetary, and space science.
• Develop solicitations, manage peer review, and coordinate cooperative agreements.
• Advise on budget priorities and investment strategies for the Institute.
• Represent SSERVI to internal and external stakeholders and promote international collaboration.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical science, mathematics, life sciences, or computer science

Job description

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.

Requirements

• The individual selected will be required to 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. See additional information section.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency

Qualifications

Candidates must be a 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. 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.

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

• 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.
• 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.

Additional Information

This position is concurrently advertised on USAJOBS and open to the public via announcement ARC-26-SL-13055463, and only one selection will be made. Only current federal employees on career, career conditional; NASA term appointments with conversion eligibility; current permanent federal employees of an excepted service agency with an OPM interchange agreement; and Veterans eligible under Veterans Employment Opportunity Act will be considered under this announcement. All other interested applicants should apply to announcement ARC-26-SL-13055463.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• Your performance and conduct;
• The needs and interests of the agency;
• Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.