The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for an Interdisciplinary (Program Director) position for the Convergence Accelerator program within the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), Division of Innovation and Technology Ecosystems (ITE) in Alexandria, VA. For more information on TIP please click here. For more information about the Convergence Accelerator please click here.

Duties

NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the agency's overall mission to support innovative and merit-reviewed activities in 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. This position is in the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) within the Division of Innovation and Technology Ecosystems (ITE) and is aligned to the Convergence Accelerator program. ITE's mission is to catalyze and foster innovation ecosystems across the U.S. to advance critical technologies, address national and societal challenges, stimulate economic growth and job creation, spur regional innovation and talent development, and foster partnerships across industry, academia, government, nonprofits, civil society, and communities of practice. The Convergence Accelerator program's focus is to build upon NSF's investment in basic research and discovery to accelerate solutions toward societal and economic impact, using a convergent approach and innovation processes. This is a fast-paced work environment, with the ITE Programs and TIP teams functioning as a startup within the government. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES PROGRAM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT Participates in the development of program plans and funding opportunities that increase and maintain the breadth of NSF science, engineering, and education investments. Maintains a healthy balance of support for all the needs of the research, innovation and education enterprise through program, division, directorate, Foundation, or interagency activities. Manages program resources to provide optimal appropriate technical judgment to ensure integrity and consistency in the grant/declination process without conflict of interests, and with balance among appropriate sectors, and participation of all qualified researchers and stakeholder representatives. Incorporates cross-directorate responsibilities into program administration. Manages an effective, timely merit review process, with attention to increasing the size and quality of the reviewer pools and insuring participation by women, minorities, and disabled scientists. Provides technical expertise, evaluation, and advice for other programs in NSF, including international programs, and other research programs, and cross-directorate programs. Advises and assists in the development of short-and-long range plans, establishing goals and objectives for support of use-inspired research and innovation programs. Plans the budget for the program/programs considering past, present and future fiscal years, allocates resources within the budget by distributing scarce resources among major competitive programs, and manages post-award evaluation. Monitors award portfolio for waste, fraud and abuse. Participates and supports awardees through the program's innovation curriculum. REPRESENTATION, COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP Represents the Program, Division and Foundation within the academic, industry, philanthropic, and investment communities, with other NSF Divisions, with other appropriate federal, state and local governments, and with the public, accurately reflecting TIP and NSF policy and positions. Prepares and disseminates a variety of informational documents which may include data on progress being made toward program goals, trends and opportunities, and budget plans. Provides information to the community on how TIP programs are pursuing their mission and gathers data and impressions from the community on the effectiveness of the programs' performance. Creates and maintains linkages to other NSF units and other Federal agencies in pursuit of the overall NSF mission. Participates in staff, panel, committee and other meetings, providing input relevant to program area and/or Division. Pursues affirmative action and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) goals. 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. Develops policies and plans for strengthening support of research and education programs. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Establishes contacts and maintains active involvement in Program and related areas through participation in professional activities. Pursues individual research as workload and travel funds permit. Expands administrative capabilities through training courses or assumption of new management roles.

Requirements

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a STEM field plus after award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position; OR a Master's degree in a STEM field plus after award of the degree, eight or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position. Successful candidates will have expertise in the following areas of consideration: (1) Artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and related advances. (2) High-performance computing, semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware and software. (3) Quantum information science and technology. (4) Robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing. (5) Natural and anthropogenic disaster prevention or mitigation. (6) Advanced communications technology and immersive technology. (7) Biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology. (8) Data storage, data management, distributed ledger technologies, and cybersecurity, including biometrics. (9) Advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, such as batteries and advanced nuclear technologies, including but not limited to for electric generation (consistent with section 15 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950).

Education

Please refer to the Qualifications section.

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

Contacts

• Address NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, DIVISION OF INNOVATIVE AND TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEMS 2415 Eisenhower Ave Alexandria, VA 22314 US
• Name: Staffing and Classification Branch
• Email: [email protected]