Job Opening: Senior Scientist for Astrobiology, at NASA Headquarters, Washington D.C.
NASA leads the world in Astrobiology research and exploration and is preparing for the discovery of life elsewhere by nurturing multidisciplinary research, developing exciting space missions to explore habitable worlds, and by cooperating with partners nationally and internationally for the benefit of humankind. Astrobiology is a scientific discipline devoted to the study of life in the universe – its origin, evolution, future, and distribution.
This appointment will be for a period of up to 6 years under the NASA Excepted Hiring Authority and is open only to U.S. Citizens.
The incumbent serves as the Agency’s Senior Leader in Astrobiology leading efforts from NASA Headquarters to ensure significant progress is made in Astrobiology. This position will ensure coordination and collaboration across SMD Divisions and between research programs and mission planning.
The incumbent fulfills the following responsibilities:
- Enables world-class interdisciplinary research in Astrobiology by serving as the senior-most NASA scientist responsible for coordination of Astrobiology-related research across SMD and the Agency.
- Establishes and leads the implementation of an Agency-wide integrated scientific Astrobiology strategy which supports SMD’s focus on “the search for life” based on a foundation of guidance from the National Academies and consistent with scientific priorities established by SMD management.
- Provides scientific and technical input for NASA missions with Astrobiology-related goals and objectives.
- Leads the development of new, innovative research and technology investment strategies, which include collaborations with other agencies and commercial, academic, and international partners.
- Serves as the senior-most primary NASA Astrobiology representative to the broader scientific community through advisory committees and other groups such as the National Academies.
- Supports, integrates, and implements innovative Astrobiology research activities and technology investment strategies across the Agency.
- Serves as the authoritative voice on Astrobiology.
Full job information:
To be considered for this position, application materials must be submitted by January 31, 2023.
For inquiries, please contact Leo Gomez, [email protected].
Astrobiology, Exobiology, Astrochemistry, SETI,
