Duties

Summary

The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidate for a Program Director position in the Symbiosis, Infection and Immunity (SII) Program in its Physiological and Structural Systems Cluster (PSS), within the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS), Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO), Alexandria, VA.

For more information about BIO, click here.
For more information about IOS, click here.

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Responsibilities

The Symbiosis Infection and Immunity Program supports hypothesis driven research on processes and mechanisms mediating antagonistic or beneficial interactions within and between viruses, bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes with the exception of plants. These relationships can include cross-and within-domain interactions and may scale from the level of cellular (e.g., virus-cell interactions) to organismal (e.g., parasitoid wasps and their hosts). The program welcomes proposals on the initiation, transmission, maintenance and dissolution of these complex associations, studies of immunity (scaling from molecules to cells to systems), mechanisms responsible for self/non-self recognition and microbial manipulation of host defenses. Integrative and comparative approaches and attention to emergent properties of symbiotic interactions are encouraged, as are all aspects and types of symbiosis within and between non-plant organisms, including mechanisms of foreign organelle acquisition and maintenance.

We seek candidates with a broad biological background in the study of symbiotic systems across levels of organization and context, with a focus on comparative immunology and virology. PSS program directors frequently collaborate with those in other programs within the Division and across Directorates. Therefore, candidates whose research makes connections to other areas such as chemistry, genetics, physiology, neuroscience, biological oceanography, computer science, engineering, ecology and evolution are encouraged to apply.

As Program Director you are responsible for the management of research and other scientific activities primarily through Federal grants and contracts to: academic, non-profit, and non-academic institutions such as professional organizations and the private sector. You will be responsible for administration of the peer review process, making award recommendations and managing an effective, timely peer review process, ensuring broad participation of reviewers and increasing involvement of under-represented groups. You will process awards and declinations, contacting successful applicants prior to the award of the grant and unsuccessful applicants as necessary. You will also be responsible for encouraging and supporting integrative, synthetic, and interdisciplinary research involving the biological sciences. Additional duties and responsibilities include the following:

Managing program resources to ensure integrity and consistency in the grant/declination process without conflict-of-interest; balance among appropriate sub-fields and institutions; and participation of all qualified scientists. You will be responsible for planning and administration of programs within the framework of legislation, agency policies, missions, objectives, and resources. You will serve as spokesperson for the program to the scientific community. You will be responsible for long-range planning and budget development for SII.

Coordinating and serving as liaison with other programs in NSF and other Federal agencies and organizations. You will provide scientific expertise, evaluation and advice for other programs in NSF, including international programs, other research programs, and cross-directorate programs. You will maintain a healthy balance of support for all the needs of the research and education enterprise either through Program, Division, Directorate, Foundation, or interagency activities.

Providing assistance to investigators whenever feasible. You will follow the progress of grantees through site visits, progress and fiscal reports, and correspondence.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel up to 5% of the time.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
04

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Background investigation.
• Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.

It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General. Foreign Talent Definitions

You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position.

All online applicants must provide 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.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Please preview "Evaluations" section and "Qualifications" for additional requirements and Quality Ranking Factors.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in biology or another related field plus six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position after the award of the degree is required OR a Master's degree in biology or another related field plus eight or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position after the award of the degree.

Individuals with expertise in areas supported by SII are particularly encouraged to apply. NSF is particularly interested in candidates who have a strong background using interdisciplinary approaches. Familiarity with NSF policies and practices, administrative experience, and recognized stature among peers are desirable. Candidates whose research makes connections to other areas such as chemistry, genetics, physiology, neuroscience, biological oceanography, computer science, engineering, ecology and evolution are encouraged to apply.

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

This position is outside the competitive civil service.

Education

Additional information

Relocation expenses MAY be paid subject to availability of funds.

This announcement is open to All US Citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements.

Federal Appropriations Law requires that Non-Citizens meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility 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.

This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the National Science Foundation.

NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary.

The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.

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

Demonstrated broad knowledge and understanding of scientific principles, theories, and technologies applicable to the biological sciences in general, and the Symbiosis, Infection and Immunity program in particular.

Research, analytical and technical writing skills, evidencing the ability to perform extensive inquiry into a wide variety of significant issues and to make recommendations and decisions based on findings.

Ability to organize, implement and manage a proposal-driven grant program, allocating resources to meet a broad spectrum of program goals.

Knowledge of management and organizational concepts, principles, practices and techniques, with expertise in large project management or research administration.

Ability to interact with the scientific community and peers, and to advocate program policies and plans.

Understanding of, and dedication to, the promotion of both intellectual merit and broader impacts of research and education activities.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

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. This also applies to individuals considered for Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignments to NSF. 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 submit 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. This information will be used in the evaluation process.

We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey . This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.

You should upload your letter of recommendation(s) or the individual(s) can email the letter of recommendation(s) to adsearch@nsf.gov ; please ask him/her to put your name and the job announcement number in the subject line.

Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your application materials.

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.