Science Education Administrator (Program Director)

Division: Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (EDU/DRL)
Directorate: STEM Education (EDU)
Job Type:
STEM
Appointment Type:
Temporary / Rotator
Pay Grade/Scale:
AD-04
Salary Range:
$160,889 - $206,279
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 Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL), in the Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) supports innovative research, development, and evaluation of learning and teaching across all science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines in both formal and informal learning settings, and in any age group.  DRL seeks program directors with education research or development expertise in one or more of the following areas: 1) Equity in STEM: diversity, equity, inclusion and access in preK-12 and informal settings; 2) Advanced and emerging technologies in education such as AI, quantum, data science, and semiconductors; 3) Science education research or development in pre-K-12 formal or informal settings.

Position Description

Successful candidates will be expected to work collaboratively with staff and other program directors in one or more of the DRL programs including the Discovery Research preK-12 (DRK-12), Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL), or Innovative Technological Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) programs. They may also work on cross-division and cross-directorate programs such as EDU Core Research (ECR) and Computer Science for All (CS for ALL).

NSF Program Directors have an unparalleled opportunity and responsibility to ensure NSF-funded research and development activities are at the forefront of advancing fundamental knowledge. In support of that, Program Directors are responsible for extensive interaction with academic research communities, formal and informal educational organizations, industry, as well as interaction with other Federal agencies that may lead to development of interagency collaborations. Within this context, Program Directors solicit, receive, and review research and education proposals; make funding recommendations; administer awards; and undertake interaction with research communities in STEM fields. The position requires a commitment to the highest research standards and ethical conduct, a considerable breadth of interest, receptivity to new ideas, a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity.

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.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in a STEM-related field or STEM Education, plus after award of the Ph.D. or Ed.D., six or more years of successful research or development experience in STEM education in preK-12 or informal settings.

 Quality Ranking Factors:

    • Knowledge of and contributions to preK-12 or informal STEM education research or development in at least one of the areas listed above.
    • Evidence of expertise or commitment to equity in STEM teaching and learning.
    • Research, analytical, and/or technical writing expertise as evidence by publications, presentations, or other documents.
    • Ability to interact, on a peer basis, with practitioners, administrators, senior scientific and administrative professionals in governmental agencies, academia, non-profits, and the private sector.
    • Ability to organize, implement and manage the review of proposals, articles, or other documents related to STEM research or development.

Candidates for the position should send the following information via email to DRLrecruit@nsf.gov with "Program Director Position" in the subject line:

(1) a current curriculum vita that includes information about how the candidate meets the qualifications and experiences for serving as a rotating program director.

 (2) a statement about your expertise in relation to the Quality Ranking Factors

Vacancy Contact:

Dr. Amy Wilson-Lopez awilsonl@nsf.gov

Apply by Email