Duties

Summary

The National Science Foundation is seeking a qualified candidate for a Science Advisor position within the Office of the Assistant Director (OAD), Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO), Alexandria, VA.

For more information about BIO, click here.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Serves as an advisor to the Assistant Director (AD) and Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) on scientific, policy, and management matters related to the management and support of research in BIO.
• Represents the Directorate, as needed, on working groups, and at meetings.
• Coordinates special projects, innovation activities and programs within BIO, including defining their purposes and areas of emphasis.
• Assists the AD, DAD and BIO senior managers in identifying and developing emerging areas of BIO science, through analysis of program data and trends, and organization of seminars and workshops relevant to biological sciences.
• Assists in the implementation of and oversight for a strategic planning process that integrates program planning and oversight and leading edge discussions.
• Provides advice and assistance in the development and revision of suitable internal program structures, the arrangement of program and project goals and levels of effort, and the continuing review, evaluation, and coordination of BIO activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel up to 10% 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.

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. As well as effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to recognize current and emerging scientific trends and recommend new directions.

This position is outside the competitive civil service.

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

Education

Additional information

Please note: NSF IPA's are not considered agency employees and are not eligible to apply.

Relocation expenses MAY be paid contingent upon the availability of funds

This announcement is open to All current NSF employees 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.

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.