National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22230 Dear Colleague: The Office of Polar Programs (OPP) announces opportunities for scientists to assist in organizing International Polar Year (IPY) activities through Intergovernmental Personnel (IPA) assignments at the National Science Foundation (NSF). The positions are: * Program Director for Antarctic Integrated and System Science (AISS) * Program Director for Arctic Observing Network Implementation (AON) The AISS incumbent will coordinate cross-cutting research activities addressing the Antarctic climate system and its linkages to the global system The AON incumbent will be responsible for the NSF-sponsored component of the circum-Arctic network being developed during IPY to support SEARCH, ARCSS and process studies. Both of these program directors will work with international partners to further shared IPY goals. In addition, OPP is seeking IPA candidates for the following positions: * Program Director for Cyberinfrastructure (CI) * Program Director for Arctic Biology (AB) The CI incumbent will work with other OPP program officers, NSF grantees and the newly formed NSF Office of Cyberinfrastructure to bring the benefits of CI to the conduct of research in polar regions. This will be an OPP-wide position. The AB incumbent will manage the life science component of OPP’s Arctic Natural Sciences Program. NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the Agency's overall mission: to support innovative and merit-reviewed activities in basic research and education that contribute to the nation’s technical strength, security, and welfare. 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. Applicants should have a Ph.D. or equivalent training and a broad knowledge in a field of research supported by NSF in polar regions, a broad knowledge of one of the relevant disciplinary areas of the Office of Polar Programs, some administrative experience, a knowledge of the general scientific community, skill in written communication and preparation of technical reports, an ability to communicate orally, and several years of successful independent research normally expected of the academic rank of associate professor or higher. Skills in multidisciplinary research are highly desirable. Program Director positions recruited under this announcement will be filled under the following appointment option: * ??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 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 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. Applicants should send a letter of interest and vitae to: Dr. Karl Erb, Director, Office of Polar Programs National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 755S Arlington, Virginia 22230 Phone: 703/292- 8030 Fax: 703/292-8091 kerb@nsf.gov NSF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO EMPLOYING A HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR NATION.