Program Directors, Mathematical and Physical Sciences

The Division of Astronomical Sciences (AST) of the Directorate for Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the National Science Foundation (NSF) announces a nationwide search for Program Director positions. NSF maintains a year-round search for scientists in astronomy and related disciplines (astrophysics, astrochemistry, astrobiology, and astronomy technology development) to serve as Program Directors within the Division. Each year our goal is to fill one or more Program Director positions under the provisions of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (see details below). IPA Program Directors typically work within our Individual Investigator Grants programs, the largest of which is the Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Grants program (AAG). We are therefore particularly interested in attracting the services of community members with experience in applying for and/or reviewing research grants, though anyone with relevant experience is encouraged to apply.

Applications from suitably qualified individuals may be submitted at any time of the year and will be reviewed immediately. Start dates are negotiable; every effort will be made to facilitate the needs of the applicant's home institution.

Program Directors have an unparalleled opportunity and responsibility to ensure NSF-funded research is at the forefront of advancing fundamental knowledge. In support of that, Program Directors are responsible for extensive interactions with academic research communities and industry, as well as interactions with other Federal agencies that may lead to the 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 these fields. They are also responsible for service to Foundation-wide activities and initiatives that together accomplish NSF's strategic goals to: 1) Transform the Frontiers of Science and Engineering, 2) Stimulate Innovation and Address Societal Needs through Research and Education, and 3) Excel as a Federal Science Agency. 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.

IPA Program Directors are involved in the merit review and proposal recommendation process, project oversight, budget management, program planning, the preparation of written materials describing research supported by the Division, and interactions with other NSF programs, external organizations and Federal agencies. Program Directors are expected to bring to the Division expertise in astronomy and astrophysics as well as an up-to-date perspective on the state of the astronomical research and education community; they also serve as a liaison between NSF and the community, disseminating information about NSF activities and opportunities. Program Directors strive to broaden the diversity of participants in all NSF programs; they work among a team of scientific and administrative professionals to support the Division's responsibilities within NSF's overall mission, which is to promote the progress of science and engineering, to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare, and to secure the national defense.

Appointees should be willing to contribute to other NSF Divisions or Directorates, and coordinate with external agencies and organizations, as necessary. Additional activities might include serving on committees, developing new administrative approaches, or implementing community-based recommendations for Division activities.

The mission of the Division of Astronomical Sciences is to support forefront research in ground-based astronomy; to help ensure the scientific excellence of the U.S. astronomical community; to provide access to world-class research facilities; to support the development of new instrumentation and next-generation facilities; and to encourage broad understanding of and diverse participation in the astronomical sciences.

The Division supports research in all areas of astronomy and astrophysics and related multidisciplinary studies. Modes of support include single-investigator and collaborative research awards, as well as awards to develop astronomical instrumentation and technology. Support is also provided for educational projects that leverage the Division's research investments to build workforce capacity, broaden participation of underrepresented groups, and/or increase scientific literacy. Through the national observatories and international partnerships, the Division provides support for a ground-based system of multi-aperture, research-class telescopes as well as frontier facilities that enable transformational capabilities in both radio and optical/infrared astronomy.

AST offers a range of funding opportunities to the community. Individual investigator and collaborative research grants for observational, theoretical, computational, laboratory, and archival data studies in all areas of astronomy are offered through our Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Grants (AAG) programs. The Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation (ATI) program provides support for the development of state-of-the-art astronomical detectors and instruments, while the Mid-Scale Innovations Program (MSIP) supports astronomical activities of intermediate cost, including open access to astronomical facilities, major new instruments for existing telescopes, laboratory astrophysics experiments, and the design and development of programs for possible future large initiatives. The Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) serves to increase access to shared scientific and engineering instruments; it provides organizations with opportunities to acquire instrumentation that supports the research and research training goals of the organization and that may be used by other researchers regionally or nationally.

The Education and Special Programs (ESP) unit of AST administers or advises on programs that have significant educational components and/or emphasis on broadening participation in astronomy. Programs include Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), a program that supports undergraduate students to participate in active research; the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program, a Foundation-wide activity that offers prestigious awards in support of early career-development activities of teacher-scholars. AST also annually offers prize postdoctoral fellowships through the NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF) program.

IPA Program Directors within AST are expected to contribute to one or more of these programs.

NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the Agency's overall mission. To discharge this responsibility requires not only knowledge in the appropriate disciplines, but also a commitment to high standards, a considerable breadth of interest and receptivity to new ideas, a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity.