At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in May 2026. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is seeking a qualified candidate for a Senior Scientist, reporting to theDirector of Space Medicine under Mission Operations. This role will support the solicitation, integration, training, and operations of Vast science and research projects. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

In this role, you will collaborate with our interdisciplinary team, interface with internal and external partners and customers, work with crew members, and contribute to the development of vehicle lab design, training materials, and protocols.

Responsibilities:

Assist in developing and implementing the scientific vision and strategic direction for the company’s research programs in alignment with organizational goals. Including managing requests for proposals (RFPs) and working with the broader scientific community
Lead and own the development of internal and external payload requirements and interface documentation
Assist internal engineering and technical teams in science equipment selection and development of space station design and features.
Own engineering requirements associated with research system development and utilization
Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of scientific experiments and projects conducted aboard the space station, ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards
Establish and maintain partnerships with universities, research institutions, and industry leaders to enhance research capabilities and funding opportunities
Communicate research findings to internal and external stakeholders, including publishing results in scientific journals and presenting at conferences
Ensure all scientific activities comply with relevant regulations, ethical standards, and organizational policies

Minimum Qualifications:

Masters degree, equivalent, or higher in an empiric science or professional field (planetary science, biology, engineering, medical research, etc…)
Minimum of 10 years experience with integrating science and research projects with ISS or similar
Minimum 10 years experience with research publication (reviews and authorship)
Minimum 5 years experience with navigating human and animal research ethics
Minimum 5 years experience with science communication
Strong knowledge of research and science ethics
Familiarity with engineering processes
Familiarity with Human and Animal research practices

Preferred Skills and Experience:

Detailed knowledge of orbital crew science laboratories such as the International Space Station or equivalent
Experience building and designing labs and selecting equipment in remote environments
Strong understanding of the space industry, including current trends and challenges in space exploration and research
Research interests and publications in the spaceflight arena
Ability to make independent judgments with limited information
Pre-existing relationships with researchers, universities, and industry
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams to solve complex problems
Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
Passion for innovation and a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and applications in space

Additional Requirements:

Ability to travel up to 40% of the time
Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones