The National Science Foundation is seeking a qualified candidate for an Interdisciplinary (Program Director) position for the Antarctic Science Section within the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO), Office of Polar Programs (OPP) in Alexandria, VA. For more information on GEO please click here. For more information on OPP please click here. Applicants interested in a rotator position should see vacancy announcement OPP-25-12637211.
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate 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 an appropriate field plus after award of the degree, eight or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position. Appropriate fields include Earth sciences or a closely related discipline. Applicants are not required to have had prior Antarctic or polar experience to be considered for this position. However, applicants must demonstrate a robust Earth science or closely related research program or demonstrate experience managing a similar portfolio for another federal agency. Appointment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a physical examination according to U.S. Antarctic Program medical and dental standards for extended summer deployment to Antarctica.
The Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT) of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) funds cutting-edge research that: Improves understanding of interactions among the Antarctic region and global systems; Expands fundamental knowledge of Antarctic systems, biota, and processes; Utilizes the unique characteristics of the Antarctic region as a science observing platform; and Builds capacity and enhances diversity in the US workforce for polar-related science. The U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) supports scientific research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean with field support for researchers provided by OPP's Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics Section (AIL). Principal Duties and Responsibilities The Antarctic Science Program Director is responsible for managing the Antarctic proposal-driven research portfolio, communicating with the scientific community and funding partners, and interacting with colleagues throughout NSF. The Program Director manages the proposal merit review process. In addition, the Program Director coordinates with Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (AIL) for field based projects, other programs in the Antarctic and Arctic sections of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) and across NSF, and other funding agencies and international partners to achieve program goals. 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. They are also responsible for service to NSF-wide activities and initiatives that together accomplish NSF's strategic goals to: (1) Empower STEM talent to fully participate in science and engineering; (2) Create new knowledge about our universe, the world and ourselves; (3) Benefit society by translating knowledge into solutions; and (4) Excel at NSF operations and management. Specific duties will include: A. Management Manage the merit review process for Antarctic science programs in accordance with NSF policies and develop recommendations for awards based on reviewer advice, knowledge of the research proposed, and appropriate regard for program balance. Provide leadership on the science priorities and specifications for Antarctic science programs. Serve as a conduit between the science community and NSF. Oversee NSF-funded Antarctic science projects and facilities within the ANT portfolio. Manage Antarctic science program resources. Convene external oversight and management reviews as necessary. B. Planning Lead and facilitate research community activities to develop long-range scientific plans for Antarctic science with awareness for the total scope and nature of polar research activities, the resources available or required, and the national and international interests to be served. Be an agent for change when improvement, innovation, or redirection of activities is warranted. Develop educational and other initiatives to promote diversity and broad participation in the Antarctic science programs. Work with other OPP program managers to plan and implement Antarctic field projects and ensure efficient utilization of resources by projects deployed to Antarctica. C. Coordination Represent NSF Antarctic science programs on national and international scientific committees having a related scientific purview. Serve as the focal point for the coordination of program plans related to Antarctica with other NSF programs, other Federal agencies, and with other nations' Antarctic programs. Serve on NSF committees and working groups, as required. D. Deployment As required, serve as an NSF Science Representative at McMurdo Station, Palmer Station, South Pole Station, at remote sites or on a research vessel. In this role, the incumbent will work with onsite scientists, stateside Principal Investigators, other program Directors in the Antarctic Sciences Section and counterparts in AIL to prioritize support needs during the course of Antarctic fieldwork. To fulfill this responsibility, the Program Director should be cleared medically for remote deployment. Work with AIL to evaluate existing support modules, practices and methodologies with the goal of improving science support infrastructure for research, The incumbent will also work with other OPP colleagues to assess the effectiveness of environmental and safety planning and make recommendations for improvements as needed. As part of annual Antarctic deployment, review field programs and practices to streamline and improve science support infrastructure for research across all research areas supported by the Antarctic Program.