Application timeline
Position Summary
The Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity (GRANTED) initiative within the Office of Integrative Activities (OIA) within the Office of the Director at the National Science Foundation (NSF), announces a nationwide search to fill multiple Program Director positions for research enterprise capacity building. OIA works across disciplinary boundaries to lead and coordinate strategic programs and opportunities that: advance research excellence and innovation; develop human and infrastructure capacity critical to the U.S. science and engineering enterprise; and promote engagement of scientists and engineers at all career stages and the personnel who support them.
Formal consideration of interested applications will continue until these positions are filled. Applications will be considered as early as August, 2023.
The GRANTED initiative is designed to improve the Nation’s research support and service capacity at emerging and underserved research institutions by addressing systemic barriers in support of research and training. The initiative is using a variety of funding mechanisms and programs to further NSF’s reach in advancing the geography of innovation and engaging the Missing Millions. GRANTED activities support the enhancement and sharing of knowledge, skills and activities across the support and service functions within the research enterprise, including research development, research administration, broader impacts development and implementation, technology transfer and commercialization, corporate relations/public-private partnerships, research integrity, compliance and security, research policy, support of research training, and research leadership.
Position Description
NSF Program Directors have the primary responsibility for carrying out the Agency's overall mission to support innovative activities in fundamental research and education that contribute to the nation's technological strength, security, and welfare. This responsibility includes ensuring that proposed activities receive expert, fair merit review. Program Directors are also responsible for service in support of other NSF-wide activities and initiatives that together accomplish NSF's strategic goals, to 1) Empower STEM talent to fully participate in science and engineering, 2) Create new knowledge about our universe, our world and ourselves, 3) Benefit society by translating knowledge into solutions, and 4) Excel at NSF operations and management.
In support of these goals, NSF Program Directors are responsible for extensive interaction with the research community and other stakeholders including industry and other Federal agencies. Within this context, Program Directors solicit, receive and review proposals, make funding recommendations, administer awards, and undertake interaction within NSF’s research communities. The work of a Program Director requires understanding and familiarity with pre-and-post award research administration functions to implement the proposal review and evaluation process for the program, as well as strong skills in written and oral communication. Successful candidates should be receptive to new ideas, have a strong sense of fairness, excellent judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity.
Program Directors joining the GRANTED initiative will be working within a team of experienced program officers to co-manage the GRANTED portfolio. The Program Directors will contribute to developing new activities and funding opportunities within this portfolio and manage the merit review process. They will also provide oversight of existing awards in the portfolio, including organizing or coordinating progress reviews, attending workshops and conferences, and responding to questions and concerns from awardee institutions. The successful applicant will work with counterparts across NSF, as well as with other OIA team members, in catalyzing collaboration and cooperation across the Foundation, supporting partnerships among academic and other funding stakeholders, and advancing diversity, access, equity and inclusion in the research enterprise. GRANTED Program Director position is an unparalleled opportunity to ensure NSF-funded activities are at the forefront of advancing critical support for the Nation’s research and education.
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.
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in any STEAM 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 any STEAM field, plus after award of the Master's degree, eight or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.
In addition, NSF is seeking people who are lifelong knowledge-seekers, are curious and creative critical thinkers and have prior experience in administrative roles related to research support and services. Experience in interacting and working with researchers from a wide range of disciplines and leading, building or facilitating the formation of teams to address complex research problems is of particular interest. As noted above, the positions require effective oral and written communication skills and a commitment to high standards of ethical conduct. The positions also require a considerable breadth of interest, receptivity to new ideas, a strong sense of fairness, attention to detail, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity. The candidates are expected to function effectively as a member of crosscutting, fast-paced, and interactive teams and have a strong interest in advancing access and capacity building within the research enterprise. Candidates should also demonstrate the capability or potential to successfully engage external stakeholders through outreach to promote NSF activities, foster the inclusion of groups who are underrepresented in STEM, and to leverage program funds through interagency and intra-agency collaborations.
To apply, email a single PDF document that includes: 1) a cover letter explaining the reasons you are interested in the position, 2) a curriculum vitae (CV), and 3) a Citizen Affidavit, if applicable. The cover letter should describe how your experiences fit with the position of a GRANTED Program Director (referencing the CV). Application materials should be sent to the Office of Integrative Activities via email to GRANTED@nsf.gov with "GRANTED Program Director" in the subject line. Questions about the position can also be emailed to GRANTED@nsf.gov.