The National Science Foundation is seeking a qualified candidate for an Investigative Scientist position within the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Office of Investigations (OI) in Alexandria, VA. For more information on OIG please click here. For more information on OI please click here.

Duties

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is responsible for conducting audits and investigations, and inspections of NSF programs and operations. OIG is also responsible for providing leadership and coordination and for recommending policies to: (1) promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in administering NSF programs and operations; (2) prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in NSF programs and operations; and (3) prevent, detect, and handle cases involving research misconduct. To keep the Congress and the public informed, OIG is required to publish a Semiannual Report to the Congress and the National Science Board. The incumbent in this position serves as an Investigative Scientist in the Office of Investigations. The Office of Investigations conducts and supervises all investigations of allegations related to NSF programs and operations. It handles all civil and criminal allegations as well as all allegations of research misconduct. The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director, Research Integrity and Administrative Investigations (DRIAI) who makes assignments by setting specific objectives. The incumbent (1) organizes and carries out assignments in a timely manner, and (2) submits reports, analyses, findings, and recommendations to the DRIAI who reviews the work and provides technical guidance. The incumbent relies heavily on their knowledge of the U.S. research and educational system and exercises judgment and discretion in carrying out assignments. Many projects are self-generated and accomplished with moderate guidance or direction. The supervisor reviews the incumbent's work for technical quality, the soundness of the approach, and fulfillment of the assignment's objectives. Principal Duties and Responsibilities The incumbent is assigned to the DRIAI and accomplishes his or her work in a timely manner. The incumbent's principal responsibility is conducting administrative investigations including investigations into allegations of research misconduct as defined at 45 CFR 689. This includes recommending referrals of necessary inquiries and/or investigations as well as conducting any required inquiries and/or investigations as well as conducting any required inquiries and/or investigations. As assigned, the incumbent plans, completes, and submits written reports on special studies, assignments, and projects that frequently cut across disciplinary and organizational lines. The products of these assignments must stand up to thorough and vigorous scrutiny by the U.S. scientific and academic community as well as the IG community. With supervisory guidance, the incumbent must interpret his or her and others' analyses and produce specific and implementable recommendations to enable NSF to implement efficiently and effectively its mission for science and engineering and for OIG to accomplish its mission. The incumbent contributes written materials to the IG's Semiannual Report to the Congress. This requires some knowledge of NSF policies, activities, and procedures as adapted to the entire range of NSF programs. Basic knowledge of other federal agency policies, procedures, and practices is also required as is an understanding of scientific method, as developed through a completed doctoral research experience in a science or engineering discipline. The latter is particularly important for meaningful interactions internally with NSF program officers and externally with NSF grantees. Also, as assigned, the incumbent assists the DRIAI by handling allegations of research misconduct as well as charges of improper actions by NSF staff and by participating in outreach activities. These activities require familiarity with the science and engineering research and education community so as to convene knowledgeable panelists or consult experts in the course of investigating allegations of research misconduct. In carrying out the OIG functions, the incumbent coordinates his or her activities as appropriate with NSF program officers, with those outside NSF, as well as outside the federal government. The incumbent must be able to work easily and effectively with scientists, engineers, and attorneys, and be inclusive, flexible, and innovative. In order to maintain adequate professional competence, the incumbent engages in relevant training activities and attends and participates in professional scientific or engineering meetings as appropriate.

Requirements

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics or Physical Science and/or another relevant discipline, plus, after award of the Ph.D., four or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.

Education

Please refer to the Qualifications section.

If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, please also submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.

Contacts

• Address NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL 2415 Eisenhower Ave Alexandria, VA 22314 US
• Name: Staffing and Classification Branch
• Email: [email protected]