Summary
The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for a Physical Scientist (Program Director) for the Particle Astrophysics - Experiment (PA) program 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.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from all US citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. Please see the "Other Information" section for further information.
Duties
The Particle Astrophysics - Experiment program in the Division of Physics supports research using astrophysical sources and particle physics techniques to study fundamental physics. This includes research utilizing astrophysical sources of gamma-rays, cosmic-rays, and neutrinos as well as research that locates experiments in low-background environments to study solar, underground, and reactor neutrinos; neutrino mass measurements and searches for the direct detection of Dark Matter.
The responsibilities of the NSF Particle Astrophysics Program Director include, for example, long-range planning and budget development for the program, the administration of the merit review process and proposal recommendations, oversight of awards, the preparation of press releases, feature articles and material describing advances in the supported research, and coordination and liaison with other programs in NSF, along with other Federal agencies and organizations.
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.
Additional duties and responsibilities include:
PROGRAM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
Maintains a healthy balance of support for all the needs of the research and education enterprise either through program, division, directorate, Foundation, or interagency activities.
Manages program resources to provide optimal appropriate scientific judgment to ensure integrity and consistency in the grant/declination process without conflict of interests, and with balance among appropriate sub-fields and institutions, and participation of all qualified scientists. Incorporate 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 ensuring engagement of the full spectrum of diverse talent in physics.
Provides scientific expertise, evaluation and advice for other programs in NSF, including international programs, other research programs, and cross-directorate programs.
Advises and assists in the development of short- and long-range plans, establishing goals and objectives for research programs.
Plans the budget for the program considering past, present and future fiscal years, allocates resources within the budget by distributing scarce resources among major competitive programs.
Oversees and administers the post-award management process for awards in the program where necessary.
Controls waste, fraud and abuse.
REPRESENTATION, COMMUNICATION, AND LEADERSHIP
Represents the Particle Astrophysics - Experiment Program, Division and 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.
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 and/or be responsive to assignments on special projects and temporary functional teams from across the Foundation to solve problems, improve staff communication, and effect coordination for special programs.
Contributes ideas and efforts to improving the quality of policies and NSF's performance of the overall mission.
Develops policies and plans for strengthening research and education programs.
Provides information to the community on how NSF Is pursuing its mission and gathers data and impressions from the community on the effectiveness of NSF's performance of its mission.
Prepares and disseminates a variety of informational documents which may include data on progress being made toward NSF's goals, trends and opportunities papers, and budget plans.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Establishes contacts and maintains active involvement in Program and related areas through participation in professional activities. Maintains familiarity with salient current research developments. Pursues individual research as workload and travel funds permit.
Expands administrative capabilities through training courses or assumption of new management responsibilities.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
This position is outside the competitive civil service.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full/blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
This position is in the bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 3403.
The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.
Qualifications
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Physics 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.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, expertise, education, and research activities relevant to the duties of the position. In some cases, additional assessment processes may also be used. We strongly encourage you to specifically address the Quality Ranking Factors below. This will ensure that you receive full consideration in the evaluation process.
Quality Ranking Factors
- Knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and theories relevant to the field of Particle Astrophysics, as demonstrated by publications, invited talks, and other professional activities and recognition.
- Experience selecting top researchers and experts for the peer review process and managing proposal review at all junctures, including managing panels, sending proposals out for external review, and ensuring compliance with NSF procedures and policies.
- Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to interact effectively and productively with peers, co-workers, and management; members of the scientific community; related organizations; other federal agencies; and international programs to effectively present, advocate, and advance program policies, plans, and goals.
- Experience managing budgets and making resource allocation decisions in light of competing priorities while maintaining alignment with the organization's values and goals.
- Experience in the management and oversight of scientific research infrastructure; understanding of the resource needs of the physics community and appropriate modes of support; ability to recognize current and emerging science trends and recommend new directions.
- Skill in applying analytic reasoning to complex issues and problems identifying the key priorities, solutions, and options, and making recommendations.
Required Documents
All applicants must submit a resume in any format and may also submit a cover letter.
In order to be considered for federal appointments, Non-Citizens must affirm that they meet the Appropriations Law eligibility criteria by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered. Non-Citizens who are exempt from the Appropriations Law requirements due to their status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on December 16, 2009 must provide a statement with their application noting their exemption with documentation of proof of status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on that date.
You are strongly encouraged to upload a current performance appraisal and/or letter(s) of recommendation and a supplemental statement that describes how your background relates to the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) listed in the Qualifications and Evaluation Requirements section of this announcement. Additionally, you are encouraged to list all applicable awards either in your CV or in a supplemental statement. This information will be used in the evaluation process.
Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your application materials. If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, you MUST submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.
All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete and submit an application online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website at https://www.USAJOBS.gov. An account must be established at the OPM website following the instructions provided in order to apply for the position. Once you have completed the USAJOBS process, you will be re-directed to the USA Staffing system to complete your application process, answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. Applications submitted other than the USAJOBS online application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED under this announcement.
- Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying online for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Please allow adequate time to complete your application.
-If you encounter technical difficulties during the process, please submit a USA Staffing Help Ticket for assistance. If you have technical difficulties applying to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website, click on Contact USAJOBS. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS.
- As the applicant, it is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, and submitted is received and is accurate. Ensure that your application includes the required documents listed under "Required Documents" and that they are uploaded in the appropriate fields.
- If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of this application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact on this job opportunity announcement.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
Next steps
You may check the status of your application at any time on the USAJOBS website
Applicants should click 'Track this Application' in the Applicant Dashboard to receive application updates.
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