Title: The Division of Electrical and Communications Systems (ECS) Directorate for Engineering (ENG) Employment Opportunities – Program Director Dear Colleague Letter Date: May 22, 2006 Dear Colleagues, The Division of Electrical and Communications Systems (ECS) announce a nationwide search for a senior-level researcher to serve as Program Director for power and energy in the Power, Controls and Adaptive Networks (PCAN) program in the Division of Electrical and Communications Systems (ECS) at the National Science Foundation (NSF). The desired starting date for the position is October 1, 2006. The Division of Electrical and Communications Systems addresses fundamental research issues underlying component and device technologies, power, controls, networking, communications and cyber technologies. It also supports the integration and networking of intelligent systems principles at the nano, micro and macro scales for a variety of application domains, such as in healthcare, homeland security, disaster mitigation, energy, telecommunications, environment, transportation, manufacturing and other systems-related areas. ECS envisions a research community that will address major technological challenges for the next generation of devices and systems due to convergence of technologies and increased emphasis on interdisciplinary research. ECS has a continuing goal to integrate education into its programs to support the education of a diverse workforce in the 21st century that will continue innovative advances for the rapid development of emerging technologies as drivers of the global economy. The ECS Division is organized around three programs: * Electronics, Photonics and Device Technologies (EPDT) * Power, Controls and Adaptive Networks (PCAN) * Integrative, Hybrid and Complex Systems (IHCS) The management of these programs involves a team approach by Program Directors of the ECS Division, to reflect the increasing convergence of traditional disciplinary topics and the need for interdisciplinary approaches to new problem areas. In addition to these program areas, ECS sponsors workshops on areas of frontier and innovative technologies, which often lead to special program initiatives. Please visit our web site at http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=ECS This position opening is in the area of power and energy systems in the PCAN program. The candidate for this position should have broad expertise and demonstrated experience in a number of the following topic areas: reliability, security, and efficiency of the electric power grid; renewable alternative energy generation, particularly as it relates to grid integration; power electronics and drives; novel methods for applications of nanotechnology for power generation and storage; devices and systems for energy scavenging; control and optimization techniques for distributed energy networks; cross-disciplinary research that links power engineering to economic policy and social science; and the interdependency among other critical infrastructures and the electric power grid. Program Director positions at the National Science Foundation provide a challenging experience and an excellent opportunity to encourage and support engineering research and education. The individual will work with other Program Directors in formulating research strategies, developing cooperation among government, academia and industry, fostering outreach to underrepresented groups, and will provide leadership within NSF and the research community. The position requires a Ph.D. with a minimum of six years of academic, government or industrial experience. The Program Director position recruited under this announcement may be filled under the following appointment options: 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. The individual remains an employee of the home institution and NSF provides 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 for up to two additional years. Visiting Scientist/Engineer: Appointment to this position will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act. A Visiting Scientist is on non-paid leave status from her/his home institution and appointed to NSF's payroll as a Federal employee. 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 up to one year and may be extended for an additional year 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, life insurance) are applicable for appointments of more than one year. Temporary appointments may not exceed three years. For additional information on NSF's rotational programs, please see "Programs for Scientists, Engineers, and Educators" on the NSF website at http://www.nsf.gov//about/career_opps. Should you or your colleagues be interested in this position, or wish to nominate suitable candidates, please contact the search committee coordinator, Dr. Rajinder P. Khosla (rkhosla@nsf.gov), and forward a curriculum vitae to him by July 15, 2006. Applications will be reviewed immediately after this date, though the position will remain open until filled. For questions or further information, please feel free to contact: Dr. Rajinder P. Khosla, Search Committee Coordinator Division of Electrical and Communications Systems National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230 Phone: (703)-292 8339 FAX: (703)-292 9147 Email: rkhosla@nsf.gov Dr. Usha Varshney, Director Division of Electrical and Communications Systems National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22230 Phone: (703)-292 8339 FAX: (703)-292 9147 Email: uvarshne@nsf.gov NSF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO EMPLOYING A HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR NATION