Public Notice - General Physical Scientist (Direct Hire)

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA Langley Research Center and Goddard Space Flight Center advertise Physical Scientist positions supporting NASA programs and mission needs. Roles span GS-12 through GS-15, with duties across planning, analysis, modeling, data interpretation, and technical reviews. Open to U.S.

citizens, with a potential one-year probationary period and security clearances as required. Positions may be at Langley or Goddard, with duties in multidisciplinary environments and responsibilities across project

Qualifications

• This position requires education or exceptional experience.
• Applicants who do not fully meet the basic education requirement may still be considered if they possess exceptional relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience, that clearly demonstrates significant full performance-level achievement directly related to the duties of this position.

Responsibilities

• Plans and conducts physical science studies, analyses, tests, and field or laboratory investigations using appropriate scientific methods, instrumentation, and analytical techniques.
• Develops, applies, and evaluates analytical, statistical, or computational models to assess physical phenomena, uncertainty, risk, and technical performance.
• Collects, manages, analyzes, and interprets scientific data; performs quality assurance and quality control; and communicates findings through reports, visualizations, and briefings.
• Develops and reviews technical requirements, test or sampling plans, procedures, specifications, and other scientific or technical documentation.
• Conducts technical reviews and assessments of in-house and contractor activities for scientific rigor, safety, quality, compliance, and completion of corrective actions.
• Integrates scientific and technical inputs across disciplines to support projects, programs, systems, and mission requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
• Plans and manages scientific projects or work packages, including scope, schedule, resources, performance, risks, and mitigation activities.
• Provides scientific advice and recommendations to management and stakeholders and represents the organization in technical reviews, working groups, and collaborative activities.

Skills

Physical science studies

Data analysis

Analytical modeling

Education

Engineering ABET-accredited

Physical Science / Mathematics / Life Science

Computer Science with calculus coursework

Job description

Summary

Positions advertised are located in various organizations at Langley Research Center (LaRC) and Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and support physical science activities across NASA programs, projects, systems, and mission needs. NASA may fill GS-1301 Physical Scientist positions at the GS-12/13/14/15 grade levels.

Duties

• Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
• Plans and conducts physical science studies, analyses, tests, and field or laboratory investigations using appropriate scientific methods, instrumentation, and analytical techniques.
• Develops, applies, and evaluates analytical, statistical, or computational models to assess physical phenomena, uncertainty, risk, and technical performance.
• Collects, manages, analyzes, and interprets scientific data; performs quality assurance and quality control; and communicates findings through reports, visualizations, and briefings.
• Develops and reviews technical requirements, test or sampling plans, procedures, specifications, and other scientific or technical documentation.
• Conducts technical reviews and assessments of in-house and contractor activities for scientific rigor, safety, quality, compliance, and completion of corrective actions.
• Integrates scientific and technical inputs across disciplines to support projects, programs, systems, and mission requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
• Plans and manages scientific projects or work packages, including scope, schedule, resources, performance, risks, and mitigation activities.
• Provides scientific advice and recommendations to management and stakeholders and represents the organization in technical reviews, working groups, and collaborative activities.

Conditions of employment

• This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• This position may require a one-year probationary/trial period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
• You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
• Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
• Duty location will be determined upon selection. This position is not designated as remote; however, may be authorized to perform work from an approved duty location based on mission needs and supervisory approval, consistent with Agency policy.
• To be considered for employment, you must submit your complete application by 11:59 PM ET on September 15, 2026.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement.

To qualify for GS-12

• Performing physical science studies, analyses, or investigations involving the selection or application of scientific methods, data analysis, modeling, testing, or evaluation and developing technical findings or recommendations.

To qualify for GS-13

• Planning and leading physical science studies or assessments involving analytical, statistical, computational, or experimental methods and integrating scientific data to develop technical findings, solutions, or recommendations.

To qualify for GS-14

• Leading complex or multidisciplinary physical science projects, studies, or assessments involving the development or evaluation of scientific methods, requirements, or analytical approaches and providing technical guidance on significant scientific issues or risks.

To qualify for GS-15

• Directing major physical science programs, projects, or technical initiatives involving multiple organizations or disciplines and providing authoritative scientific guidance on significant technical requirements, risks, standards, policies, or decisions.

Promotion Potential

The full performance level (FPL) will vary based on the position in which the selectee is placed and does not default to the highest grade advertised.

Education

This position requires education or exceptional experience.

Basic Education Requirement

You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following:

• Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs
• Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science
• Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science, including digital computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations.

If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above.

Applicants who do not fully meet the basic education requirement may still be considered if they possess exceptional relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience, that clearly demonstrates significant full performance-level achievement directly related to the duties of this position.

Engineering degrees earned within the United States

Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org.

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/.

Science and other related degrees earned within the United States

Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States

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, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

Other duty locations not specifically listed on this announcement may be considered at management's discretion

In the Announcement Questionnaire, you will be prompted to select the occupational series (select as many as desired), and lowest grade you wish to be considered for.

For purposes of Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) selection priority, well-qualified is defined as possessing knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies which clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position, as determined through SME review of the resume/application. If you have special priority selection rights under ICTAP, you must:

• Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position.
• Exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.
• Submit proof that you meet the requirements for ICTAP as indicated in "Required Documents."

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap

Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal government within the last five years based as of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/.

Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.

Probationary Period

You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.

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.

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.

Learn more about federal 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.

Review our benefits