The purpose of this notice is to inform you of a job opportunity for a Physical Scientist GS-1301-15 position in the Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES), Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences (CSGB) Division, Germantown, MD. The selected program manager will manage a portfolio of fundamental geochemistry and geophysics research in the Geosciences Program. The recruitment will use the Open Continuous Direct Hire Announcement FY24-OCDH-1301-12363662-DH, which is posted on USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/783518800.
This announcement will be used to collect applications from both internal and external candidates for this permanent position. You must submit your application, including a resume and any other required documents identified in the announcement, through USAJOBS to be considered for this position. Your application should describe how your experience demonstrates that you meet the requirements for a GS-15 position and should show that you possess the knowledge and abilities in geosciences required to successfully perform the duties of this position. Management will request a list of applicants on September 30, 2024.
Anyone applying to this position needs to be aware that, if selected, you will be placed on a new appointment in the Civil Service. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.
Overview The program manager will manage the Geosciences Program in the CSGB Division of BES in Germantown, MD. The program manager will determine scientific focus and direction of the research portfolio, prepare calls for proposals, organize independent peer reviews, recommend funding allocations, organize Principal Investigator meetings, serve as a liaison on committees, and assess scientific progress of the research portfolio. The program manager conceives, justifies, plans, initiates, manages, and coordinates all aspects of the program that includes a diverse range of fundamental experimental, theoretical, and computational research in geochemistry and geophysics.
The BES Geosciences program supports a broad range of fundamental research projects including but not limited to analytical geochemistry, experimental and theoretical geochemistry, rock physics and fluid flow physics, hydrology, geophysical imaging of rock and fluid properties, hydrogeophysics , biogeochemistry, and application of AI/ML and computational modeling to the simulation and study of geochemical and geophysical processes. Geochemical research emphasizes fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanisms and rates associated with geochemical processes, focusing on molecular-mesoscale aspects of minerals and interfaces and on the molecular origins of critical element/isotope distributions and their influence on migration/separation/fractionation pathways in the earth, ranging from weathering environments to magmatic/hydrothermal systems. Geophysical research focuses on new approaches to understand subsurface processes that characterize the evolution of fractures in the upper crust, particularly when associated with enhanced geothermal systems and CO2 mineralization and storage.
The Office of Science’s (SC) mission is to deliver scientific discoveries and major scientific tools to transform our
understanding of nature and advance the energy, economic, and national security of the United States (U.S.). SC is the
Nation’s largest Federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences and the lead Federal agency supporting
fundamental scientific research for our Nation’s energy future.
SC accomplishes its mission and advances national goals by supporting:
- The frontiers of science—exploring nature’s mysteries from the study of fundamental subatomic particles, atoms, and
molecules that are the building blocks of the materials of our universe and everything in it to the DNA, proteins, and
cells that are the building blocks of life. Each of the programs in SC supports research probing the most fundamental
disciplinary questions.
- The 21st Century tools of science—providing the nation’s researchers with 28 state-of-the-art national scientific user
facilities, the most advanced tools of modern science, propelling the U.S. to the forefront of science, technology
development, and deployment through innovation.
- Science for energy and the enviro...nment, paving the knowledge foundation to spur discoveries and innovations for
advancing the Department’s mission in energy and environment. SC supports a wide range of funding modalities from
single principal investigators to large team-based activities to engage in fundamental research on energy production,
conversion, storage, transmission, and use, and on our understanding of the earth systems.
SC is an established leader of the U.S. scientific discovery and innovation enterprise. Over the decades, SC investments and
accomplishments in basic research and enabling research capabilities have provided the foundations for new technologies,
businesses, and industries, making significant contributions to our nation’s economy, national security, and quality of life.
Select scientific accomplishments enabled by the SC programs are described in the program budget narratives. Additional
descriptions of recent science discoveries can be found at https://science.osti.gov/Science-Features/Science-Highlights.
