The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for a Physical Scientist (Program Director) for Facilities within the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), Division of Physics (PHY) in Alexandria, VA. For more information on MPS, please click here. For more information on PHY, please click here.

Duties

The Physics Division at the National Science Foundation supports research infrastructure whose purpose is to enable the physics community to advance the intellectual frontiers of science by answering the most important questions of our time. These range in scale from MREFC-scale facilities to midscale projects. Sited at locations around the world, they frequently involve international collaborations of physicists to plan, implement, and operate and have lifecycles that can extend decades from conceptualization to ultimate decommissioning. NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the agency's overall mission to support innovative and merit-reviewed activities in basic research and education that contribute to the nation's technical strength, security, and welfare. To fulfill this responsibility requires not only knowledge in the appropriate disciplines, but also a commitment to high standards, a considerable breadth of interest and receptivity to new ideas, a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity. The Program Director for Research Facilities is responsible for management and oversight of the portfolio of facilities supported by the Division, including planning, construction, and operations. The Program Director works with the scientific community, other PHY Program Directors, relevant offices at NSF, and interagency and international partners to assure the highest standards of program management. The responsibilities of the Program Director for Facilities include, for example, long-term planning and budget development for research infrastructure projects in the division, the administration of the merit review process and proposal recommendations, oversight of awards, the preparation of press releases and other materials describing advances in the research supported, and coordination and liaison with other programs in NSF and other Federal agencies and organizations. Additional duties and responsibilities include: PROGRAM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT - FACILITIES Develops, interprets, initiates, and implements policies, plans, and procedures for design, fabrication, construction, commissioning, and operations of complex research facilities in support of the PHY and NSF mission. Manages an effective, timely merit review process for evaluation of proposals. Manages the review and administration of facility-class projects, including design and development of future facilities, facilities under construction, and operations and performance of existing facilities. Conducts technical, cost, schedule, and management reviews of projects. Evaluates project progress on project status and issues. Provides program management support for midscale projects in the Division Works closely with the Division Program Directors responsible for scientific areas served by the projects, including close collaboration and joint actions to ensure the projects and science goals are coordinated and simultaneously met. Encourages efforts in education and outreach and promotes the increase in participation of those traditionally underrepresented in science. Plans and budgets for the projects, in consultation with the Division Director. Prepares all relevant documentation, working closely with related NSF staff (e.g. Research Infrastructure Office, MPS, Office of General Counsel, etc.) Plans for evolution and/or divestment of the facility or projects in response to budget constraints and recommendations from advisory groups, including costs, environmental factors, and recruitment of partners. Manages program resources with appropriate scientific judgment to ensure integrity and consistency in the facilities management and award/declination process without conflict of interests, and with balance among appropriate sub-fields and institutions, and participation of all qualified scientists. Controls waste, fraud and abuse. REPRESENTATION, COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP Represents the Foundation within the scientific community, with other NSF Divisions, with other appropriate agencies and organizations, and with the public, accurately reflecting NSF policy and positions. Represents the NSF and the Physics Division, as required, on national and international committees, boards, panels, etc. Prepares and conducts management briefings as required by NSF management for project-related activities. Coordinates community engagement planning, including outreach and environmental impact studies. Participates in staff, panel, committee and other meetings, providing input relevant to the facilities and/or Division. Pursues and/or is responsive to assignment on special projects and temporary function teams across the Foundation to solve problems, improve staff communication, and effect coordination for special programs. Contributes ideas and effort to improving the quality of policies and NSF's performance of the overall mission.

Requirements

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a Physical Science, plus after award of the Ph.D., six 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, DIVISION OF PHYSICS 2415 Eisenhower Ave Alexandria, VA 22314 US
• Name: Staffing and Classification Branch
• Email: [email protected]