NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
                           4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
                            ARLINGTON, VA 22230
                                     



Title:    Division of Mathematical Sciences
            Employment Opportunities--Dear Colleague Letter

Date:    December 1, 2005

Dear Colleague:

The Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) announces a nationwide search
for a number of Program Director positions at the National Science
Foundation (NSF).

NSF Program Directors 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.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. or equivalent training in a field of the
mathematical sciences, a broad knowledge of one of the relevant
disciplinary areas of the Division of Mathematical Sciences, some
administrative experience, a 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 normally expected of the academic rank of associate professor or
higher.  Skills in multidisciplinary research are highly desirable.

Qualified individuals who are women, ethnic/racial minorities, and /or
persons with disabilities are strongly urged to apply.  No person shall be
discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, age or disability in hiring by the National Science Foundation.

Program Director positions recruited under this announcement 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.
  
  ·    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 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.

  ·    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.
     
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.

Applicants should send a letter of interest and vitae to:

          Dr. Deborah F. Lockhart, Executive Officer
          Division of Mathematical Sciences
          National Science Foundation
          4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1025
          Arlington, Virginia 22230
          Phone: 703/292- 8870
          Fax: 703/292-9032
          dlockhart@nsf.gov


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