International Polar Year Vacancies
National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs
Dear Colleague,
The Office of Polar Programs (OPP) announces opportunities for
scientists to assist in organizing International Polar Year (IPY)
activities through Intergovernmental Personnel (IPA) assignments at the
National Science Foundation (NSF). The positions are:
- Program Director for Antarctic Integrated and System Science (AISS)
- Program Director for Arctic Observing Network Implementation (AON)
The AISS incumbent will coordinate cross-cutting research activities
addressing the Antarctic climate system and its linkages to the global
system.
The AON incumbent will be responsible for the NSF-sponsored component of
the circum-arctic network being developed during IPY to support SEARCH,
ARCSS, and process studies.
Both of these program directors will work with international partners to
further shared IPY goals.
In addition, OPP is seeking IPA candidates for the following positions:
- Program Director for Cyberinfrastructure (CI)
- Program Director for Arctic Biology (AB)
The CI incumbent will work with other OPP program officers, NSF
grantees, and the newly formed NSF Office of Cyberinfrastructure to
bring the benefits of CI to the conduct of research in polar regions.
This will be an OPP-wide position.
The AB incumbent will manage the life science component of OPP's Arctic
Natural Sciences Program.
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 and a broad
knowledge in a field of research supported by NSF in polar regions, a
broad knowledge of one of the relevant disciplinary areas of the Office
of Polar Programs, 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.
Program Director positions recruited under this announcement will be
filled under the following appointment option:
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.
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. Karl Erb, Director
Office of Polar Programs
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 755S
Arlington, Virginia 22230
Phone: 703-292- 8030
Fax: 703-292-8091
E-mail: kerb [at] nsf.gov
NSF is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a highly
qualified staff that reflects the diversity of our nation.