September 10, 2014

Dear Colleague:

The Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) announces a nationwide search to fill the Program Director position for the Operations Research (OR) Program. The National Science Foundation (NSF) Program Directors are in charge of specific research areas. They solicit, receive and review research and education proposals, make funding recommendations and administer awards. They are also responsible for interaction with other Federal agencies, forming and guiding interagency collaborations, and for service to Foundation-wide activities.

Formal consideration of interested applications will begin 1 October 2014 and will continue until a selection is made.

NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the Foundation's overall mission to support innovative and merit-evaluated activities in fundamental research and education that contribute to the nation's technological strength, security and welfare. The positions require a commitment to high standards of intellectualism and ethical conduct, a considerable breadth of interest, receptivity to new ideas, a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity.

The OR program supports fundamental research leading to the creation of innovative mathematical models, analysis, and algorithms for optimal or near optimal decision-making, applicable to the design and operation of manufacturing, service, and other complex systems. In addition to the traditional areas of Operations Research which includes discrete and continuous optimization as well as stochastic modeling and analysis, new research thrusts include simulation optimization and self-optimizing systems that can observe, learn, and adapt to changing environments. The successful candidate must demonstrate in-depth expertise in and affinity with operations research methodologies. The OR Program Director will be expected to work both independently and cooperatively as a member of a team-based program structure. Experience working in interdisciplinary teams is highly desired.

Persons wishing to apply for this position are referred to the Divisional web page, https://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=CMMI, for a description of the programs. These persons are also encouraged to contact the current Program Director, who is identified on the program web pages, for more information.

Requirements of the position include a PhD. degree in an appropriate field plus, after award of the PhD, six years or more of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position. The position requires effective oral and written communication skills, and familiarity with NSF programs and activities. The incumbent is expected to function effectively both as an individual within the specific NSF program and as a member of crosscutting and interactive teams. The incumbent must also demonstrate a capability to work across government agencies to promote NSF activities and to leverage program funds through interagency collaborations.

The position may be filled under one of the following appointment alternatives:

Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Appointment: Under an IPA appointment, a candidate's home institution receives a grant to cover the appointee's salary and benefits, and the candidate remains an employee of his/her home institution while performing duties at NSF. Persons eligible for an IPA assignment with a Federal agency include employees of state and local government agencies or institutions of higher education, Indian tribal governments, and other eligible organizations in instances where such assignments would be of mutual benefit to the organizations involved. Initial assignments under IPA provisions may be made for a period up to two years, with a possible extension for up to an additional two years. For additional information regarding IPA positions, please visit the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/rotators/ipa.jsp.

Visiting Scientist, Engineer or Educator (VSEE) Appointment: A VSEE appointment will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act. Visiting Scientists are on non-paid leave status from their home institution and placed on the NSF payroll as Federal employees. NSF withholds Social Security taxes and pays the home institution's contributions to maintain retirement and fringe benefits (i.e., health benefits and life insurance), either directly to the home institution or to the carrier. Appointments are usually made for one year and may be extended for an additional year by mutual agreement.

For additional information on NSF's rotational programs, please visit: https://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/rotators/.

Applications accepted from US Citizens. Recent changes in Federal Appropriations Law require Non-Citizens to 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 be considered as an IPA.

Applicants should indicate in their cover letter that they are applying to the OR program. Should you or your colleagues be interested in this position, please email a current CV accompanied by your cover letter highlighting the background that specifically relates to the program objectives to:

CMMI Program Director Search Committee
Dr. George A. Hazelrigg
Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation
Directorate for Engineering
National Science Foundation
Arlington, VA 22230
Email: ghazelri@nsf.gov

NSF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO EMPLOYING
A HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR NATION.