Application timeline
Position Summary
The Chemical Oceanography Program (CO) within the Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) in the Directorate of Geosciences (GEO) announces a nationwide search for a Program Director (Rotator) with experience and expertise in any aspect of chemical oceanography.
Position Description
The CO Program supports research into the chemistry of the oceans and the role of the oceans in global geochemical cycles. Areas of interest include chemical composition, speciation, and transformation; chemical exchanges between the oceans and other components of the Earth system; internal cycling in oceans, seas, and estuaries; and the use of measured chemical distributions as indicators of physical, biological, and geological processes. The person selected for this position will work with the other Program Officers who oversee the CO Program to balance the award portfolio across the entire range of disciplines supported by the Program.
NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the agency's overall mission to support innovative science and merit-reviewed activities in basic research and education that contribute to the nation's technical strength, security, and welfare. This responsibility requires the appropriate scientific expertise and breadth of knowledge as well as a commitment to high standards, receptivity to new ideas, 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.
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 award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position; OR a Master’s degree in an appropriate field plus after award of the degree, eight or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.
Appropriate fields include Chemical Oceanography, Oceanography, Marine Chemistry, Marine Science, and Geochemistry.
Applications of interest should be submitted electronically and must include contact information, a current CV, and a statement briefly describing the candidate's background that specifically relates to the position duties and requirements. Applicants may also wish to include their timeframe of availability and a list of references.
Quality Ranking Factors
1. Knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and theories applicable to disciplines of marine geology and geophysics as demonstrated by publications, invited talks, and/or professional recognition.
2. Ability to manage an externally reviewed proposal driven grants program, allocating resources to meet a spectrum of program goals.
3. Professional analytical and technical writing skills which demonstrate experience in presentation and inquiry into a wide variety of significant issues related to biological oceanography/marine ecology and the ability to make recommendations and decisions based on finding.
4. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with members of the Geosciences communities, representatives of other federal agencies, foreign national programs and peers to effectively present, advocate and advance program policies, plans and goals.
Please send applications to:
Henrietta Edmonds, Lead Program Director, Chemical Oceanography