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April 23, 2014

Dear Colleague:

The Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) announces a nationwide search to fill the Program Director position for the Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (BMMB) Program. The National Science Foundation (NSF) Program Directors are in charge of specific research areas. They solicit, receive and review research and education proposals, make funding recommendations and administer awards. They are also responsible for interaction with other Federal agencies, forming and guiding interagency collaborations, and for service to Foundation-wide activities.

Formal consideration of interested applications will begin May 15, 2014 and will continue until a selection is made.

NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the Foundation’s overall mission to support innovative and merit-evaluated activities in fundamental research and education that contribute to the nation’s technological strength, security and welfare. The positions require 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.

The Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (BMMB) Program supports fundamental research in biomechanics and mechanobiology. An emphasis is placed on multiscale mechanics approaches in the study of organisms that integrate across molecular, cell, tissue, and organ domains. The influence of in vivo mechanical forces on cell and matrix biology in the histomorphogenesis, maintenance, regeneration, and aging of tissues is an important concern. In addition, the relationships between mechanical behavior and extracellular matrix composition and organization are of interest. Funded projects may include theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches. The program encourages the consideration of diverse living tissues as smart materials that are self-designing. The successful candidate must demonstrate in-depth expertise in biomechanics, especially with respect to material and structural mechanics, and in mechanobiology, including tissue, cellular and molecular approaches. The BMMB program is highly interdisciplinary and participates in several cross-cutting initiatives within the National Science Foundation. Thus, the BMMB Program Director will be expected to work both independently and cooperatively as a member of a team-based program structure. Experience working in interdisciplinary teams is highly desired.

Persons wishing to apply for this position are referred to the Divisional web page, https://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=CMMI, for a description of the program. These persons are also encouraged to contact the current Program Director, who is identified on the program web page, for more information.

Qualifications of a successful candidate include a PhD. degree in an appropriate field plus after award of the PhD, six years or more of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position. The position requires effective oral and written communication skills, and familiarity with NSF programs and activities is highly desirable. The incumbent is expected to effectively function both as individual within the specific NSF program and as a member of crosscutting and interactive teams. The incumbent must also demonstrate a capability to work across government agencies to promote NSF activities and to leverage program funds through interagency collaborations.

The Program Director position recruited under this announcement may be filled under one of 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. 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. For additional information regarding IPA positions, please visit the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/rotators/ipa.jsp.

Visiting Scientist Appointment: Appointment to this position will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act. Visiting Scientists are on non-paid leave status from their home institutions and placed on the NSF payroll. 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 institutions or to the carrier. Appointments are usually made for a one-year period and may be extended for an additional year by mutual agreement.

For additional information on NSF’s rotational programs, please see “Programs for Scientists, Engineers, and Educators” on the NSF website at https://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/rotators/.

Applications will be accepted from US Citizens. Recent changes in Federal Appropriations Law require Non-Citizens to meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will be considered for IPA only.

Applicants should indicate in their cover letter that they are applying to the BMMB program. Should you or your colleagues be interested in this position, please email a current CV accompanied by a cover letter highlighting the background that specifically relates to the program objectives to:

CMMI Program Director Search Committee
Dr. George A. Hazelrigg
Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation
Directorate for Engineering
National Science Foundation
Arlington, VA 22230
Phone no.: 703-292-7068
Email: ghazelri@nsf.gov

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