December 13, 2021

The Arctic Sciences Section at the National Science Foundation is recruiting a Program Officer under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA). These are one-year appointments, renewable for a period not to exceed 4 years. Program officers are expected to have a PhD plus six years of experience in a field of science related to Arctic research. Duties include administering the NSF merit review process for scientific proposals. More details are available in this Dear Colleague Letter that provides general information about the position. 

The Arctic Sciences Section is seeking a program officer who, in addition to having a scientific background in a social sciences field relevant to the Arctic, has expertise in building collaborations between western researchers and Indigenous communities. The successful candidate will manage social science proposals responding to the Arctic Research Opportunities solicitation (NSF 21-526); conduct outreach to diverse institutions and prospective principal investigators, including graduate students and early career researchers; participate in cross-directorate programs with scientists from diverse disciplines; and collaborate with international organizations and interagency partners, including the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee, to enhance collaboration between Indigenous organizations; Indigenous and local Arctic communities; and NSF-funded researchers.

Desirable candidates will have demonstrated:

• Expertise in one or more fields of inquiry related to the Arctic Social Science Program;
• Research experience in Alaska or the Arctic;
• Ability to work productively with Indigenous organizations and to bridge western and Indigenous ways of knowing;
• Broad understanding of Indigenous organizations, universities and other institutions of higher education, and other groups that carry out Arctic-related research, including constraints that especially affect small organizations;
• Expertise in outreach and mentorship; and
• Ability to work collaboratively with representatives of other NSF programs and agencies to enhance interdisciplinary research and the mission of NSF.

The Arctic Sciences Section is a small, dynamic group of professionals dedicated to supporting research about the Arctic. The incumbent will join a group of more than ten program officers who create a collaborative environment that fosters a growing science community and supports new ideas, innovations, and different knowledge systems. In addition to managing the merit review process for proposals, Program Officers develop funding opportunities, work with colleagues in other parts of NSF, collaborate with other federal agencies, and find other ways to increase research and funding opportunities for Arctic researchers. More information about the Arctic Sciences Section is available from the OPP website and in the Arctic Research Opportunities solicitation.

Interested applicants should provide their curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter to Dr. Jennifer Mercer at jmercer@nsf.gov. CVs will be accepted until the position is filled. This position is telework eligible based on agency policy. 

Application deadline: 31 January 2022

For more information, read the Dear Colleague Letter. 

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The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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