Scientist III
Kennedy Space Center, FL
Full Time
Experienced
Job Title: Scientist III
Location: Kennedy Space Center, FL
Clearance: Able to obtain Public Trust
SUMMARY:
We are seeking a visionary and strategically-minded Scientist to help lead and shape the future of space crop production and plant biology research. This senior-level role requires an individual with demonstrated thought leadership in the field, capable of driving strategic foresight and aligning scientific research with the evolving needs of human space exploration.
The successful candidate will work closely with NASA leadership and cross-sector partners to chart forward-looking research pathways supporting missions to the International Space Station (ISS), Moon, Mars, and beyond. This position blends technical excellence, deep domain expertise, and stakeholder engagement to influence research agendas, guide emerging initiatives, and promote innovation at the interface of government, industry, and academia.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree in plant biology, horticulture, space biology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive scientific experience in plant research, including substantial involvement in space biology, controlled environment agriculture, or advanced crop systems.
• Proven track record of thought leadership, including a robust portfolio of peer-reviewed publications and successful research initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead stakeholder engagement efforts across diverse sectors, including government, industry, and academia.
• Extensive professional network within the space biology, agriculture, and life support systems communities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in a relevant, engineering, biological, life or agricultural science discipline.
• Direct experience with spaceflight experiments or analog testbeds
• Experience in the development and review of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) plans to ensure food safety in controlled environment agriculture systems.
• Familiarity with decadal survey priorities and federal science planning frameworks.
• Experience leading or contributing to major technology demonstrations or mission-aligned innovation pipelines.
PRIMARY JOB AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Collaborate directly with NASA stakeholders to identify high-impact research priorities that advance long-duration human spaceflight capabilities.
• Apply strategic foresight to assess scientific gaps, technological readiness levels (TRLs), and future research trajectories.
• Leverage existing partnerships and develop new cross-functional collaborations with academic institutions, commercial technology providers, and federal research entities.
• Facilitate technology infusion into NASA programs by scouting and recommending innovative agricultural platforms, sensors, and cultivation systems for terrestrial and space-based testing.
• Provide senior-level guidance to internal research teams on experimental design, technology evaluation, and translational science opportunities.
• Serve as a trusted science advisor and technical reviewer across internal and external working groups.
• Actively contribute to knowledge dissemination through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and invited talks.
• Evaluate historical and current space agricultural platforms and interpret their relevance to future exploration missions.
• Promote scientific excellence and rigor through mentorship, cross-training, and the development of SOPs and best practices.
Other Responsibilities:
Safety – LASSO enforces a safety culture whereby all employees have the responsibility for continuously developing and maintaining a safe work environment. As appropriate, each employee is responsible for completing all training requirements and fulfilling all self-aid/buddy aid responsibilities, participating in emergency response tasks and serving on safety committees and teams.
Quality - Quality is the foundation for the management of our business and the keystone to our goal of customer satisfaction. It is our policy to consistently provide services that meet customer expectations. Accordingly, each employee must conform to the Quality Policy and carry out job activities in compliance with applicable Quality System documents and customer contracts. Each employee must read and understand his/her Quality Management and Customer Satisfaction responsibilities.
Procedure Compliance - Each employee must read, understand and implement the general and specific operational, safety, quality and environmental requirements of all plans, procedures and policies pertaining to his/her job.
Position may require the ability to pass and maintain a Security Clearance. US citizenship is required for unescorted access to assigned work area(s). Must be able to successfully pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries.
.
Location: Kennedy Space Center, FL
Clearance: Able to obtain Public Trust
SUMMARY:
We are seeking a visionary and strategically-minded Scientist to help lead and shape the future of space crop production and plant biology research. This senior-level role requires an individual with demonstrated thought leadership in the field, capable of driving strategic foresight and aligning scientific research with the evolving needs of human space exploration.
The successful candidate will work closely with NASA leadership and cross-sector partners to chart forward-looking research pathways supporting missions to the International Space Station (ISS), Moon, Mars, and beyond. This position blends technical excellence, deep domain expertise, and stakeholder engagement to influence research agendas, guide emerging initiatives, and promote innovation at the interface of government, industry, and academia.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree in plant biology, horticulture, space biology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive scientific experience in plant research, including substantial involvement in space biology, controlled environment agriculture, or advanced crop systems.
• Proven track record of thought leadership, including a robust portfolio of peer-reviewed publications and successful research initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead stakeholder engagement efforts across diverse sectors, including government, industry, and academia.
• Extensive professional network within the space biology, agriculture, and life support systems communities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in a relevant, engineering, biological, life or agricultural science discipline.
• Direct experience with spaceflight experiments or analog testbeds
• Experience in the development and review of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) plans to ensure food safety in controlled environment agriculture systems.
• Familiarity with decadal survey priorities and federal science planning frameworks.
• Experience leading or contributing to major technology demonstrations or mission-aligned innovation pipelines.
PRIMARY JOB AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Collaborate directly with NASA stakeholders to identify high-impact research priorities that advance long-duration human spaceflight capabilities.
• Apply strategic foresight to assess scientific gaps, technological readiness levels (TRLs), and future research trajectories.
• Leverage existing partnerships and develop new cross-functional collaborations with academic institutions, commercial technology providers, and federal research entities.
• Facilitate technology infusion into NASA programs by scouting and recommending innovative agricultural platforms, sensors, and cultivation systems for terrestrial and space-based testing.
• Provide senior-level guidance to internal research teams on experimental design, technology evaluation, and translational science opportunities.
• Serve as a trusted science advisor and technical reviewer across internal and external working groups.
• Actively contribute to knowledge dissemination through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and invited talks.
• Evaluate historical and current space agricultural platforms and interpret their relevance to future exploration missions.
• Promote scientific excellence and rigor through mentorship, cross-training, and the development of SOPs and best practices.
Other Responsibilities:
Safety – LASSO enforces a safety culture whereby all employees have the responsibility for continuously developing and maintaining a safe work environment. As appropriate, each employee is responsible for completing all training requirements and fulfilling all self-aid/buddy aid responsibilities, participating in emergency response tasks and serving on safety committees and teams.
Quality - Quality is the foundation for the management of our business and the keystone to our goal of customer satisfaction. It is our policy to consistently provide services that meet customer expectations. Accordingly, each employee must conform to the Quality Policy and carry out job activities in compliance with applicable Quality System documents and customer contracts. Each employee must read and understand his/her Quality Management and Customer Satisfaction responsibilities.
Procedure Compliance - Each employee must read, understand and implement the general and specific operational, safety, quality and environmental requirements of all plans, procedures and policies pertaining to his/her job.
Position may require the ability to pass and maintain a Security Clearance. US citizenship is required for unescorted access to assigned work area(s). Must be able to successfully pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries.
.
Noetic Strategies Inc. offers a competitive salary, an extensive benefits package and a work environment that encourages excellence. For positions requiring a security clearance, selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Noetic Strategies Inc. is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that does not discriminate in employment.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Noetic Strategies Inc. endeavors to make www.noeticstrategies.com accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact noeticstrategies.com for assistance. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
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