Application timeline
Position Summary
The Biological Oceanography Program (BO) 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 biological oceanography or marine ecology.
Position Description
The Biological Oceanography Program supports fundamental research in biological oceanography and marine ecology (populations to the ecosystems) broadly defined: relationships among aquatic organisms and their interactions with the environments of the oceans or Great Lakes. The person selected for this position will work in a team of Program Directors and support staff that oversee the Biological Oceanography Program. The Program Director's core duties and responsibilities will be administering the merit review process, making proposal recommendations, working to balance the award portfolio across the broad range of disciplines supported by the Program, supporting a diverse science community and coordinating and working with other programs in NSF and other Federal agencies and organizations.
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 Biological Oceanography or Marine Ecology.
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, a list of references, and Citizen Affidavit (if applicable).
Please make electronic submissions to Michael Sieracki, Program Director, Biological Oceanography at msierack@nsf.gov.