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Dear Colleague Letter: Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET)

DATE: July 28, 2009

TITLE:  The Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) 
Employment Opportunities for Program Director - - Dear Colleague Letter

Dear Colleague:

The Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET), within the Directorate for Engineering at the National Science Foundation (NSF), announces a nationwide search for an engineering professional to fill the following position:

Program Director:  Biotechnology, Biochemical, and Biomass Engineering (BBBE) program

This position is open until filled.  While disciplinary expertise will be expected for the program director, the focus of the search is to assemble a scholarly, open-minded, diverse and intellectually integrated group to join the present team in sharing The Engineering Directorate’s responsibilities within NSF’s overall mission:  to promote the progress of science, to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare, to secure the national defense.

BRIEF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Biotechnology, Biochemical, and Biomass Engineering (BBBE) program deals with fundamental problems involved in the processing and manufacturing of products of economic importance by effectively utilizing renewable resources of biological origin and bioinformatics originating from genomic and proteomic information. The BBBE program emphasizes basic engineering and biological research that advances the fundamental knowledge base that contributes to a better understanding of cellular and biomolecular processes (in vivo, in vitro, and/or ex vivo) and eventually to the development of generic enabling technology and practical application. Quantitative assessments of bioprocesses and their rates at the levels of gene regulation and expression, signal transduction pathways, posttranslational protein processing, enzymes in reaction systems, metabolic pathways, cells and tissues in cultivation, and biological systems including animal, plant, microbial and insect cells, etc. are considered vital to the successful research projects in the BBBE program.

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. 

Qualification requirements include a Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience in the relevant discipline, plus six or more years of successful research, research administration and/or substantial managerial experience in academe, industry, or government.  Appointees are expected to have significant and relevant knowledge of research related to biotechnology, biochemical, and biomass engineering.  Also desirable is 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 of the kind normally expected of the academic rank of associate or full professor.  All appointees are expected to function effectively both within specific programs and in a team mode, contributing to and coordinating with organizations in the Directorate, across the Foundation, and with other Federal and State government agencies and private-sector organizations as necessary. 

Periodic appointments to leadership of interdivisional, inter-directorate and interagency programs may be made.  NSF is particularly interested in attracting women and under-represented minorities to these positions.  Program Director positions recruited under this announcement may be filled under one of the following appointment options:

Intergovernmental Personnel Assignment (IPA) Act:  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.  Supplementary contractual arrangements can be included for periodic visits, at NSF expense, back to home institutions to maintain research programs during one’s stay at NSF.

Visiting Scientist Appointment:  Appointment to this position will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act.  Visiting Scientists are on a non-paid leave status from their home institution and appointed to NSF’s payroll as Federal employee.  NSF withholds Social Security 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 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.

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. Robert M. Wellek rwellek@nsf.gov, and forward a curriculum vita to as soon as possible, or until filled.  Applications will be reviewed immediately.  Inquiries, applications and nominations for this Program Director position should be directed to:

Dr. Robert Wellek, Search Committee Coordinator, Deputy Division Director
Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) 
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 565
Arlington, Virginia  22230

Phone: (703) 292-8320  |  Fax:  (703) 292-9054  |  e-mail: rwellek@nsf.gov

Dr. John  McGrath, Division Director
Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) 
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 565
Arlington, Virginia  22230

Phone:  (703) 292-5382  |  Fax: (703) 292-9098  |  e-Mail:jmcgrath@nsf.gov

NSF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO EMPLOYING
A HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR NATION.