Division of Polar Programs/Antarctic Sciences Section

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, ANTARCTIC INTEGRATED SYSTEM SCIENCE

National Science Foundation (NSF)
Arlington, VA

OPEN PERIOD: December 12, 2016 to January 12, 2017

The NSF is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Program Director for the Antarctic Integrated System Science (AISS) Program in the Division of Polar Programs (PLR), Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) in Arlington, VA. The Division of Polar Programs is responsible for planning, funding, and implementing scientific research programs in both Polar Regions. Its management activities extend to both Arctic and Antarctic research, meeting its objectives through award of merit-reviewed research grants, interagency and cooperative agreements, contracts for operational and logistical support and international agreements. More information about PLR and its programs can be found at About Polar Programs page at the NSF site.

The discoveries of disciplinary science increasingly highlight the need for integrative approaches to forge new understanding of the complex interactions that govern Antarctica and its past, present and future roles in the earth system. To respond to this need and foster progress on some of societies’ most pressing issues on a planet subject to potentially accelerated change, the Antarctic Integrated System Science (AISS) program was established in 2007. The AISS program portfolio includes interdisciplinary science involving glaciology, geology, biology, atmospheric, and ocean sciences. More information regarding the AISS program can be found at Antarctic Integrated System Science page.

As Program Director for the AISS Program, the successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Managing the merit review process (e.g. selection of reviewers and panelists) for the AISS program in accordance with NSF policies and develops recommendations for award based on reviewer advice, their knowledge of the scientific problems and work proposed, as well as appropriate regard for program balance.
• Managing two Antarctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program awards, one for a terrestrial site in the McMurdo Dry Valleys and the other for a marine site in the vicinity of Palmer Station.
• Working with his/her counterparts in the Division of Polar Programs to assure appropriate integration of research projects with Antarctic science support infrastructure.
• Evaluating the utilization of scientific and logistical resources for AISS research. Functions as an agent for change when improvement, innovation, or redirection of activity is warranted.
• Managing AISS Program resources. Convenes external oversight and management reviews as necessary.
• Serving as the Division representative or liaison officer with national and international scientific committees having purview of related scientific activity.
• Promotes diversity and broader impacts of the AISS program.

The AISS program director coordinates closely with directors of the other Antarctic Science Programs (Astrophysics & Geospace Sciences, Atmosphere & Ocean Sciences, Earth Science, Glaciology and Organisms & Ecosystems) to assure that AISS research addresses questions about the Antarctic as a system that transcend disciplinary boundaries and are highly integrated and broader in scope than typically addressed by the other programs.

This position may be filled as a Career appointment, Visiting Scientist appointment, a Federal Temporary appointment, or an Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignment. Candidates for this position must possess a Ph.D in glaciology, geology, biology, atmospheric sciences or ocean sciences; experience as evidenced by lead-authorship in peer-reviewed publications and/or demonstrated leadership roles in science projects in any field of science pertinent to the activities of the AISS Program, plus, after award of the Ph.D., six or more years of research, research support, and/or research administration experience pertinent to the position that shows a progressively increasing level of responsibility. Special Conditions: Appointment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a physical examination according to U.S. Antarctic Program medical and dental standards for extended summer deployment to Antarctica.

Applicants for this position should review announcement PLR-2017-0001 – Permanent and PLR-2017-0002 – Rotator.

The position requirements and application procedures are located on the NSF Home Page at http://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/. Hearing impaired individuals may call TDD (703-292-5090).

Applications must be received by January 12, 2017.

NSF is an Equal Opportunity Employer