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The Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) Employment Opportunity for Program Director - - Dear Colleague Letter
DATE: March 1, 2008
Dear Colleague:
The Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET), within the Directorate for Engineering at the National Science Foundation (NSF), announces a nationwide search for an engineering professional to fill the following position:
Program Director: Interdisciplinary and Engineering Centers Activities
This position is open until April 24, 2008 or until filled. While disciplinary expertise will be expected for the program director, the goal of CBET is to assemble a scholarly, open-minded, diverse and intellectually integrated group to join the present team in sharing the Engineering Directorate’s responsibilities within NSF’s overall mission: to promote the progress of science, to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare, to secure the national defense.
Brief Program Activities Description:
The Division is recruiting an additional program director to promote interdisciplinary research. The successful candidates’ expertise will help support research aimed at gaining a basic understanding of:
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the microscopic and macroscopic levels of biotechnology and bioengineering related phenomena at scales ranging from proteins and cells to organ systems, including mathematical models, devices and instrumentation systems; or
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biomedical engineering principles of living systems, development of new and improved devices, and products for human health care; or
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energy for sustainability principles, for example use of biomass from agricultural crops and residues, forest products, aquatic plants, and municipal wastes to produce energy resources such as hydrogen, alcohols, and other bio-derived liquid, solid, and gaseous fuels; or
- purification, sensing, and processing of bio-derived materials, medicines, and food products.
The above engineering science areas form an important part of the intellectual infrastructure of a number of modern technologies. In program activities priority is given to innovative, transformative, and insightful investigations of fundamental problems with broad long term impact and applications that require novel use of bio-related engineering principles to meet the engineering and technology needs of the nation. These program activities may range from single investigator investigations to centers level integrated efforts. Center-level activities would be carried out through cross-disciplinary activities with the Division of Engineering Education and Centers.
NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the Agency’s overall mission. 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, strong interpersonal skills, and a high degree of personal integrity.
Qualification requirements include a Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience in the relevant discipline(s), plus six or more years of successful research, research administration and/or substantial managerial experience in academe, industry, or government. Appointees are expected to have significant and relevant knowledge of research related to one or more of the following areas: (1) bio- and medical engineering sciences and processes, (2) bio-related energy for sustainability, and (3) bio-derived materials. Also desirable is knowledge of the general scientific community, skill in written communication and preparation of technical reports, an ability to communicate orally, and several years of successful independent research of the kind normally expected of the academic rank of professor, plus experience in interdisciplinary research groups or centers. All appointees are expected to function effectively both within specific programs and in a team mode, contributing to and coordinating with organizations in the Directorate, across the Foundation, and with other Federal and State government agencies and private-sector organizations as necessary.
Periodic appointments to leadership of interdivisional, inter-directorate and interagency programs may be made. We are particularly interested in attracting qualified women and under-represented minorities to these positions. Program Director positions recruited under this announcement may be filled under the following rotational appointment option for one to three years, subject to annual renewal:
Intergovernmental Personnel Assignment (IPA) Act: 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 funding toward the assignee’s salary and benefits. Initial IPA assignments are made for a one-year period and may be extended my mutual agreement. Supplementary contractual arrangements can be included for periodic visits, at NSF expense, back to home institutions to maintain research programs during ones stay at NSF.
For additional information on NSF’s rotational programs, please see “Programs for Scientists, Engineers, and Educators” on the NSF website at: http://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/.
Should you or your colleagues be interested in this position, or wish to nominate suitable candidates, please contact the search committee coordinator, Dr. Robert M. Wellek rwellek@nsf.gov, and forward a curriculum vita to him by or before April 24, 2008. Applications will be reviewed immediately after this date. Inquiries, applications and nominations for this Program Director position should be directed to:
Dr. Robert Wellek, Search Committee Coordinator, Deputy Division Director
Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET)
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 565
Arlington, Virginia 22230
Phone: (703) 292-8320 | Fax: (703) 292-9054 | e-mail: rwellek@nsf.gov
Dr. Judy Raper, Division Director
Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET)
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 565
Arlington, Virginia 22230
Phone: (703) 292-5382 | Fax: (703) 292-9098 | e-mail: jraper@nsf.gov
NSF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO EMPLOYING
A HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR NATION.
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