Application timeline
Position Summary
The Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS), within the Directorate for Engineering at the National Science Foundation, announces a nation-wide search for a senior-level engineering researcher to fill an open Program Director position in the Energy, Power, Control, and Networks (EPCN) Program.
NSF Program Directors have the primary responsibility for carrying out the Foundation’s overall mission to support innovative and merit-reviewed activities in fundamental engineering research and education that contribute to the nation's technological strength, security, and welfare. They are also responsible for service to NSF-wide activities and initiatives that together accomplish NSF's strategic goals to: (1) Expand knowledge in science, engineering, and learning; (2) Advance the capability of the nation to meet current and future challenges; and (3) Enhance NSF’s performance of its mission.
In support of these strategic goals, NSF Program Directors interact extensively with the academic engineering research community, industry, and other federal agencies. NSF Program Directors solicit, receive, and review engineering research and education proposals, make funding recommendations, and administer awards to implement the NSF Merit Review Process. This requires expertise in appropriate engineering disciplines as well as strong skills in written and oral communication. Successful candidates should be receptive to new ideas, have a strong sense of fairness and transparency, excellent judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity.
Position Description
The successful candidate will possess broad and demonstrated research and education to address emerging and innovative engineering research in the areas of energy and power systems, control systems, AI and machine learning, and/or power electronic systems, which include: power system modeling, planning, operation, stability, and control; grid integration of distributed energy resources (wind, solar, storage, smart loads); electrified transportation; power monitoring, protection, resilient operation of the grid; cyber-security of grids; electricity market design and consumer behavior; microgrids; energy efficient buildings and communities; distributed control and optimization; networked multi-agent systems; stochastic, hybrid, and nonlinear systems; data-enabled learning, decision and control; biomedical, transportation, and robotics applications; neural networks; neural hardware and neuromorphic systems; data science and analytics; machine learning theory, algorithms, and applications; power electronics and electric machines; electric and hybrid electric vehicles; energy harvesting, storage devices and systems; grid-tied power electronic converters.
The Energy, Power, Control, and Networks (EPCN) Program supports innovative research in foundational systems, control, and optimization methodologies, as well as in analysis, control, and design of electric power systems, including generation, transmission, storage, and integration of renewable energy sources into the grid; power electronics; battery management systems; electric machines and drives; energy harvesting systems; hybrid and electric vehicles; and the interplay of power grids with associated regulatory and economic structures and with consumer behavior. The program scope in fundamental systems and control research includes optimization, learning, networked multi-agent systems, higher-level decision making, and dynamic resource allocation, game-theoretic approaches, as well as risk management in the presence of uncertainty, sub-system failures, and stochastic disturbances. EPCN also invests in novel machine learning algorithms and analysis, adaptive dynamic programming, brain-like networked architectures performing real-time learning, and neuromorphic engineering. EPCN also supports other applications research that is synergistic with its focus on methodological developments in systems, control, optimization, and learning, such as in the areas of transportation, robotics, automated safety, and environmental monitoring systems, among others.
The Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems Division supports enabling and transformative engineering research at the nano, micro, and macro scales that fuels progress in engineering system applications with high societal impact. ECCS programs encompass novel electronic, photonic, and magnetic devices and the integration of these devices into circuit and system environments; intelligent systems, control, and networks for applications spanning communications and cyber technologies; energy and power, healthcare, environment, transportation, manufacturing, and other systems-related areas. ECCS also strengthens its programs through links to other areas of engineering, science, industry, government, and international collaborations. In addition, ECCS emphasizes the integration of research and education to ensure the preparation of a diverse, professionally skilled, and globally competent workforce. ECCS is organized around three broad program clusters: Electronic, Photonic and Magnetic Devices (EPMD); Communications, Circuits, and Sensing Systems (CCSS); and Energy, Power, Control and Networks (EPCN). For further information, visit the ECCS web site at
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.
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 and life insurance) are applicable for appointments of more than one year. Temporary appointments may not exceed three years.
Visiting Scientist, Engineer, and Educator (VSEE) Program: 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 placed on the NSF payroll. 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 a one-year period and may be extended for an additional year by mutual agreement.
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate field plus, after the award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position. Appropriate fields include Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science or Physics.
This position is an opportunity to ensure NSF funds the forefront of engineering research and education. The chosen individual will work with ECCS Senior Management and other NSF Program Directors in formulating research strategies, developing collaboration and cooperation across NSF and among government, academia, and industry, while fostering outreach to underrepresented groups.
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. Please make sure that in the subject line of your e-mail you reference the DCL number that applies to this specific announcement.