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A Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) is an informal correspondence which is written by a Requesting Office and distributed to communities within a specific program area, to attract individuals eligible under a Visiting Scientist, Engineer, and Educator (VSEE) appointment, an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment and/or a Federal Temporary appointment. These letters may be circulated in paper form through internal mail, distributed electronically using listservs or accessed through NSF.gov’s Career Page.

Program Director (Manufacturing Systems Design program)

Division: Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (ENG/CMMI)
Directorate: Engineering (ENG)
Job Type:
STEM
Appointment Type:
Temporary / Rotator
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 Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) is located within the Directorate for Engineering. The Directorate supports fundamental research encompassing a range of disciplines to address scientific challenges that are increasingly complex, integrated, transdisciplinary and often driven by advanced technologies and emerging societal imperatives. In particular, CMMI provides vital support for basic research tied to the national R&D priorities of manufacturing, artificial intelligence and strategic computing.

Position Description

CMMI has a need for a Program Director to promote and support systems-level research across the breadth of CMMI core programs, with special focus on the CMMI programs that lie at the intersection of the national R&D priorities mentioned above, namely, Advanced Manufacturing (AM/088Y), Engineering Design and Systems Engineering (EDSE/072Y) and Operations Engineering (OE/006Y). The successful candidate will have a broad perspective and technical awareness across this set of programs, with special emphasis on systems engineering, and be prepared to foster engagement with new research communities and nurture convergent research across disciplines.



NSF Program Directors have an unparalleled opportunity and responsibility to ensure that NSF-funded research is at the forefront of advancing fundamental knowledge. Within NSF, Program Directors work cooperatively to manage core programs as well as to help foster cross-cutting initiatives, such as those that bridge other NSF programs and directorates. Beyond NSF, Program Directors interact extensively with academic research communities, industry and other government agencies, both in the US and abroad.



The position requires a commitment to high standards of intellectualism 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.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Systems Engineering or a related field of engineering or science plus, after award of the PhD, six years or more of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.

Expertise with respect to manufacturing and systems engineering is essential. The position requires effective oral and written communication skills, and familiarity with NSF programs and activities is highly desirable. The candidate is expected to function effectively as a member of crosscutting and interactive teams as well as an individual contributor.  The candidate must also demonstrate a capability to work across government agencies to promote NSF activities and to leverage program funds through interagency collaborations.

To apply, email a single PDF document that includes (i) a cover letter outlining qualifications for the position, (ii) a curriculum vitae, (iii) Citizen affidavit, as applicable.

Vacancy Contact: Dr. Mary M. Toney

Application Submission Email Address: mtoney@nsf.gov 

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