Summary
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking qualified candidates for a Computer Scientist (Program Director) position for the Foundations of Emerging Technology (FET) Program within the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF) in Alexandria, VA.
For more information on CISE please click here.
For more information on CCF 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
CISE's mission is to enable the U.S. to uphold its leadership in computing, communications, and information science and engineering; promote understanding of the principles and uses of advanced computing, communications, and information systems in service to society; support advanced cyberinfrastructure that enables and accelerates discovery and innovation across all science and engineering disciplines; and contribute to universal, transparent, and affordable participation in an information-based society.
The responsibilities of the NSF program officer are guided by the goals of NSF's Strategic Plan: to empower STEM talent to fully participate in science and engineering; to create new knowledge about our universe, the world and ourselves; to benefit society by translating knowledge into solutions; and to excel at NSF operations and management. To achieve these goals, NSF staff employ core strategies including developing intellectual capital, strengthening research infrastructure, integrating research and education, and promoting partnerships.
Specifically, we are looking for a candidate to fill the position in the following program areas:
- Foundations of Emerging Technology (FET) Program with emphasis on biological systems.
FET supports overarching fundamental research in disruptive technologies and models in computing and communication, with the goal to foster radical innovations in computing and communication modalities, in topics spanning fields of research funded by core CCF programs, such as theory, algorithms, software, hardware, and architecture. Biological systems part of the FET portfolio explores opportunities at the intersection of biology and computer science, with a specific focus on activities that advance understanding of computing and communication processes in biological systems to recreate or use them as models for, or demonstrations of, innovative computing and communication systems.
Current exemplars include but are not limited to:
- Biocomputing and/or computation with biological systems (e.g. DNA nanotechnology, molecular computing models, foundations of self assembly, chemical reaction circuits, complex molecular assemblies);
- Computational challenges in biological systems-level computation (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, protein sequencing); and
- Novel ways to understand biological systems or populations in service to computing.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Program Planning and Management
- Advises and assists the Division Director in the development of long-range plans that ensure ClSE investments are targeted to cutting-edge challenges and opportunities in CISE research and education fields.
- Collaboratively oversees and manages the merit review process for assigned research, education infrastructure proposals to ensure that investments are made in a diverse, rich mix of bold, cutting-edge projects that promise to advance the frontier and contribute to the attainment of NSF' s strategic goals.
- Manages an effective, timely review process with attention to increasing the size and quality of the reviewer pools and ensuring participation by groups long under-represented in CISE fields, such as women, African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Native Pacific Islanders, and persons with disabilities.
- Oversees and manages the post-award management process for awards in the program, including reviewing annual reports, conducting effective, timely site visits, and overseeing a post-award evaluation process, where necessary.
Communication, Coordination and Liaison
- Prepares program solicitations, annual program reports, oral presentations and other materials consistent with NSF, CISE, and CCF strategic goals and that inform internal and external stakeholders.
- Coordinates and liaisons within NSF and with other Federal agencies, industry, the scientific community, the international community, and the public concerning assigned activities.
- Participates in both in-reach and outreach activities that seek to broaden the participation of communities underrepresented in CCF, CISE, and NSF activities.
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 a Biological, Engineering, Mathematics or Computer Science or closely related 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.
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
- Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with internal and external constituencies and partners as well as to effectively engage with scientific community, peers, and co-workers.
- Ability to organize, implement and manage a proposal-driven grant program, allocating resources to meet a spectrum of goals, including ensuring integrity and consistency in the grant award/declination management process.
- Ability to assess trends and opportunities in the field and to set a far-reaching program vision that is responsive to the current and anticipated national challenges.
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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