Physical Scientist (Program Director)

Division: Ocean Sciences (GEO/OCE)
Directorate: Geosciences (GEO)
Job Type:
STEM
Appointment Type:
Temporary / Rotator
Pay Grade/Scale:
AD-04
Salary Range:
$160,889 - $195,000
This job is open to the public

Application timeline

Date Posted:
Closing date: Open until filled
Formal consideration of interested applicants will begin and will continue until a selection is made.

Position Summary

The Integrative Programs Section within the Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) in the Directorate of Geosciences (GEO) announces a nationwide search for a Program Director (Rotator) with experience and expertise in the general fields of marine biology, marine biogeochemisty, marine biochemistry or related marine biology fields to manage the OCE Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program.

Position Description

The Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) offers postdoctoral research fellowships (PRF) to provide opportunities for scientists early in their careers to work within and across traditional disciplinary lines, develop partnerships, and avail themselves of unique research resources, sites and facilities.  The fellowship program is intended to provide beginning investigators of significant potential with experiences that will establish them in positions of leadership in the scientific community.  During tenure, Fellows affiliate with a host research organization(s) and conduct research on topics supported by OCE or other ocean-related NSF programs. Fellowships include participation in a professional development program that emphasizes development of mentoring skills and that coordinates the involvement of Fellows in conferences and activities that are focused on increasing the engagement of underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the agency's overall mission to support innovative science and merit-reviewed activities in basic research and education that contribute to the nation's technical strength, security, and welfare. This responsibility requires the appropriate scientific expertise and breadth of knowledge, a commitment to high standards, receptivity to new ideas, and a high degree of personal integrity. The OCE PRF Program Director will be responsible for outreach and engagement with the community to recruit PRF proposals from women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in STEM, or applicants who have attended community colleges and minority-serving institutions (e.g. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Alaska Native Serving Institutions, and Hawaiian Native and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions).  In addition, the Program Director will coordinate the efforts of the OCE PRF Team in the review of proposals and the recommendation of awards.  

The position recruited under this announcement will be filled under the following appointment option(s):

Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment: Individuals eligible for an IPA assignment with a Federal agency include employees of State and local government agencies or institutions of higher education, Indian tribal governments, and other eligible organizations in instances where such assignments would be of mutual benefit to the organizations involved. Initial assignments under IPA provisions may be made for a period up to two years, with a possible extension for up to an additional two-year period. The individual remains an employee of the home institution and NSF provides the negotiated funding toward the assignee's salary and benefits. Initial IPA assignments are made for a one-year period and may be extended by mutual agreement. 

It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs.  Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General. https://www.nsf.gov/careers/Definition-of-Foreign-Talent-HRM.pdf.

Applications will be accepted from U.S. Citizens. Recent changes in Federal Appropriations Law require Non-Citizens to meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-Citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered eligible. Non-Citizens are not eligible for positions requiring a security clearance.

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate field plus after award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position; OR a Master’s degree in an appropriate field plus after award of the degree, eight or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position. Appropriate fields include marine biology, marine biogeochemistry, marine biochemistry or related marine biology fields. 

Applications of interest should be submitted electronically and must include contact information, a current CV, and a statement briefly describing the candidate's background related to the position duties and requirements. Applicants may also wish to include their time frame of availability and a list of references.

 

Vacancy Contact:

Dr. Elizabeth Rom

Program Director

elrom@nsf.gov