Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC), Engineering Research Centers (ERC) Program Director

Employment Opportunities -- Dear Colleague Letter

Date: September 18, 2008

Dear Colleague:

The Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC), Directorate for Engineering, is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as a Program Director.  EEC supports Engineering Research Centers (ERC), Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSECs), and the Network for Computational Nanotechnology (NCN), and a range of educational programs.  The person selected would serve as the coordinator for the oversight of six NSECs, the lead program officer for selected NSECs and one or more ERCs.  EEC is searching for a person who has expertise in carrying out research at the nanoscale.  Experience in integrating an engineering discipline with biology is a plus.   

ERCs and NSECs play critical roles in advancing knowledge, technology and education in partnership with industry.  Each focuses cross-disciplinary teams of faculty and students on the definition, fundamental understanding, development, and validation of technologies needed to realize a well-defined class of engineered systems with the potential to spawn whole new industries or radically transform the product lines, processing technologies, or service delivery methodologies of current industries. Faculty, students and industry partners integrate discovery and learning in an interdisciplinary environment that reflects the complexities and realities of real-world technology and product development.  NSF views these centers as change agents for academic engineering programs and the engineering community at large and expects their innovations in research and education to add to current knowledge, affect industrial practice, impact curricula at all levels from pre-college to life-long learning.  Each ERC or NSEC is funded by NSF for up to 10 years and undergoes annual and renewal reviews.  Other information about the ERC Program and a detailed description of the activities of the ERCs may be found at http://www.erc-assoc.org/erc_links.htm and information about the NSECs can be found at
http://www.nano.gov/.

NSF Program Directors (PD) bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the Agency's overall mission: to support innovative and merit-reviewed activities in basic research and education that contribute to the nation's technical strength, security, and welfare.  To discharge this responsibility requires not only knowledge in the appropriate disciplines, but also a commitment to high standards, a considerable breadth of interest and receptivity to new ideas, a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity.  In addition, Program Director positions at the NSF provide a challenging experience and an excellent opportunity to encourage and support engineering research and education and for working with academe and industry to develop strategic plans to advance fundamental research and technology and produce engineering graduates who are more effective in industrial practice.  The successful candidate will work with other Program Directors in formulating and implementing improvements in the Program, developing cooperation among government, academia, and industry, fostering outreach to underrepresented groups, and providing leadership within NSF and the research community.

The incumbent would be responsible for coordinating the oversight and funding of six NSECs funded by EEC plus the coordination of the efforts of these NSECs with several other NSECs funded by other divisions of the Directorate for Engineering.  As such, the incumbent would (1) provide guidance to other Program Directors who are directly responsible for the oversight of particular NSECs, (2) be responsible for the oversight of one or more NSECs, and (3) be responsible for managing the budget used to support the NSECs and other nano-related investments by EEC that are directly managed by other NSF PDs.  In addition, the Program Director would be responsible for the oversight or one or more ERCs.

Qualifications:  Qualification requirements include a Ph. D. in an engineering discipline or a relevant science discipline, and related experience in nanoscale science and engineering.

This position may be filled under one of the following appointment options:

• Visiting Scientist Appointment. Appointment to this position will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act. Visiting Scientists are on non-paid leave status from their home institution and appointed to NSF’s payroll as Federal employees. NSF withholds Social Security taxes and pays the home institution’s contributions to maintain retirement and fringe benefits (i.e., health benefits and life insurance), either directly to the home institution or to the carrier. Appointments are usually made for up to one year and may be extended for an additional year by mutual agreement. Further information is available at
  http://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/rotators/vsee.jsp

• 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. The individual remains an employee of the home institution and NSF provides funding toward the assignee’s salary and benefits.  Further information regarding IPA positions is available at
  http://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/rotators/ipa.jsp

• Temporary Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment to this position will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act. Candidates who do not have civil service status or reinstatement eligibility will not obtain civil service status if selected. Candidates currently in the competitive service will be required to waive competitive civil service rights if selected. Usual civil service benefits (retirement, health benefits, life insurance) are applicable for appointments of more than one year. Temporary appointments may not exceed three years.

Should you or your colleagues be interested in this position and/or have questions, please contact the EEC Search Committee Coordinator, Lynn Preston.   This position is open until October 24, 2008 or until filled.  Applications will be reviewed during November 2008 and interviews are planned thereafter.

Lynn Preston, Leader of the ERC Program
Deputy Division Director – Centers
Division of Engineering Education and Centers, Suite 585
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230
Phone: 703-292-5358
Fax: 703-292-9051/2
Email: lpreston@nsf.gov

NSF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO EMPLOYING A HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR NATION.