Email Print Share

Job Opportunity: Science Assistant, Arctic Sciences Section


June 21, 2021

The Office of Polar Programs Arctic Sciences Section is seeking applicants for a Science Assistant. This is a temporary appointment for 13 months, and not to exceed two years. A Bachelor’s degree in a field of research relevant to the Arctic Sciences Section is required and a graduate degree is preferred. 

In the role of a Science Assistant you will:

    • Conduct analyses and provide reports and related presentations of information on the Division's (or Office's) scientific programs.
    • Provide scientific input to relevant aspects of the merit review process, including developing solicitations; reading proposals for responsiveness to the solicitation and preliminary grouping of proposals.
    • Attend panel meetings and provide feedback on completeness of panel summaries and/or minutes of the scientific discussion.
    • Provide assistance to program officers and division management in overseeing scientific progress on awards, including working with principal investigators and program officers to collect high quality, scientifically accurate highlights and results.
    • Develop data and report on scientific portfolios for Committees of Visitors and other results-oriented activities.
    • Provide assistance to Division (or Office) management in enhancing interactions with the scientific community, including interactions with Advisory Committees.
    • Participate in outreach meetings, including activities with schools and interacts with relevant elements of the National Academies

Applicants must be U.S. citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements.


To apply, please send a resume to Dr. Jennifer Mercer, Acting Section Head for Arctic Sciences at jmercer@nsf.gov by June 30, 2021, for earliest consideration. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

mail icon Get News Updates by Email 

Connect with us online
NSF website: nsf.gov
NSF News: nsf.gov/news
For News Media: nsf.gov/news/newsroom
Statistics: nsf.gov/statistics/
Awards database: nsf.gov/awardsearch/

Follow us on social
Twitter: twitter.com/NSF
Facebook: facebook.com/US.NSF
Instagram: instagram.com/nsfgov