August 17, 2017

Dear Colleague:

The Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) announces a nationwide search to fill the Program Director position for the Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (BMMB) 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 September 15, 2017 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 Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (BMMB) Program supports fundamental research in biomechanics and mechanobiology. An emphasis is placed on multi-scale mechanics approaches in the study of organisms that integrate across molecular, cell, tissue, and organ domains. The influence of in vivo mechanical forces on cell and matrix biology in the histomorphogenesis, maintenance, regeneration, and aging of tissues is an important concern. In addition, the relationships between mechanical behavior and extracellular matrix composition and organization are of interest. Funded projects may include theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches. The program encourages the consideration of diverse living tissues as smart materials that are self-designing.  The successful candidate must demonstrate in-depth expertise in biomechanics, especially with respect to material and structural mechanics, and in mechanobiology, including tissue, cellular and molecular approaches. The BMMB program is highly interdisciplinary and participates in several cross-cutting initiatives within the National Science Foundation. Thus, the BMMB 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 BMMB web page, https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13523, for a description of the program. These persons are also encouraged to contact the current Program Director, who is identified on the program web page, for more information.

Qualifications of a successful candidate 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 is highly desirable. 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:

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.

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 on NSF's rotational programs, please visit: https://www.nsf.gov/careers/rotator/microsite/.

Applications will be accepted from U.S. 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. 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 eligible.

Applicants should indicate in their cover letter that they are applying to the BMMB program. Please submit your application to:

Steven Zehnder
Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation
Directorate for Engineering
National Science Foundation
Alexandria, VA 22314

Electronic submissions are preferred: szehnder@nsf.gov.

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