Dear Colleague Letter: Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP), Industry University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) Program - Employment Opportunity for Program Director Position (Open Until Filled)

April 24, 2019

Dear Colleagues:

The Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP) announces a nationwide search to fill Program Director position for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Industry University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) Program. Formal consideration of interested applications will begin April 30, 2019 and will continue until a selection is made.

For over four decades, the IUCRC Program has led the way to a new era of partnership between academia, government and industry, through high-quality, industrially relevant fundamental research, strong industrial support of and collaboration in research and education, and direct transfer of university developed ideas, research results, and technology to U.S. industry to improve its competitive posture in world markets. Through innovative education of talented graduate and undergraduate students, the IUCRCs are providing the next generation of scientists and engineers with a broad, industrially oriented perspective on engineering research and practice.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Directors have an unparalleled opportunity and responsibility to ensure NSF-funded research is at the forefront of advancing fundamental knowledge. In support of that, Program Directors are responsible for extensive interaction with academic research communities and industry, as well as interaction with other Federal agencies that may lead to development of interagency collaborations. Within this context, Program Directors solicit, receive and review research and education proposals, make funding recommendations, administer awards, and undertake interaction with research communities in these fields. They are also responsible for service to Foundation-wide activities and initiatives that together accomplish NSF's strategic goals to: 1) Transform the Frontiers of Science and Engineering, 2) Stimulate Innovation and Address Societal Needs through Research and Education, and 3) Excel as a Federal Science Agency. The position requires 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 position requires extensive travel to IUCRC planning and Industry Advisory Board meetings.

Persons wishing to apply for this position are referred to the IIP Divisional web page for a description of the Division; and to the IUCRC webpage for a description of the IUCRC program. Persons are also encouraged to contact the current IUCRC Program Directors, who are identified on the IUCRC web pages, for more information.

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.

Qualifications of a successful candidate include a Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience in a relevant engineering or science discipline, plus after the award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful research, research administration and or/substantial managerial experience in academe, industry, or government. In addition, a strong track record of industrial research management and leadership is desirable. Experience in leading and managing research collaborations at the academia/industry interface is preferable. The incumbent is expected to have strong communication skills to engage with a broad community spanning academia, industry and government. Familiarity with NSF programs and activities is highly desirable. The incumbent is expected to serve as an effective program manager and provide oversight for the centers in the IUCRC program.

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the ability to function effectively as a manager of the IUCRC program and be a strong contributing member of crosscutting program teams across NSF. The incumbent must also demonstrate the ability to broadly promote NSF activities and leverage program funds through interagency collaborations.

Program Director positions recruited under this announcement may be filled in a temporary rotator capacity:

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.

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.

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 institution 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 institution 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 visit: https://www.nsf.gov/careers/rotator/.

Applications will be accepted from U.S. 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 Citizen Affidavit to their application. This also applies to individuals considered for Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignments to NSF. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered eligible.

How to Apply

To apply, email a single PDF document that includes 1) CV, 2) a cover letter explaining the reasons they are interested in the position, and 3) Citizen affidavit, as applicable. The cover letter should describe how their experiences fit with the position of IUCRC Program Officer (referencing the CV), why this position would be of mutual benefit to NSF and to their institutions, and how they foresee this assignment benefiting their careers. It is preferred that application materials and questions be sent to the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships via email to IIPjobs@nsf.gov with "IUCRC Program Director" in the subject line.

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