Application timeline
Date Posted:
Closing date:
Open until filled
Position Summary
The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (NSF CISE) is seeking an “Intergovernmental Personnel Act” (IPA) senior advisor to work closely with the NSF CISE directorate head and leadership team to advise on strategic directions and identify future opportunities for agency investments in computer and information science and engineering. The senior advisor should have broad knowledge of the computing field and in-depth expertise in cyberinfrastructure, with the ability to connect emerging research and infrastructure needs to broader national science, technology, innovation and workforce priorities.
Â
Position Description
The senior IPA advisor will also support strategic leadership and provide programmatic guidance to the NSF Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (NSF OAC), which supports the exploration, acquisition, development and provision of state-of-the-art cyberinfrastructure and artificial intelligence resources, tools, services and workforce development essential to drive innovation and discovery across all fields of science and engineering. NSF OAC’s investments expand access to advanced research capabilities, accelerate scientific discovery and help develop the workforce needed to sustain the nationâs research and innovation enterprise.
These resources, tools and services include large-scale advanced computing, data and AI platforms and services, software frameworks and programming environment tools, data repositories and networks of various reach and scale. In addition, OAC supports the training of researchers and educators to use cyberinfrastructure to further their research and education goals, as well as the professionals who create, deploy and provision these resources, tools and services for the science and engineering community. The senior IPA advisor will also help guide strategic direction and support programmatic oversight for the NSF-led National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) program.
The senior IPA advisor will assess community needs, trends and emerging breakthrough opportunities, help develop and implement strategic directions and inform the development and implementation of relevant policies and programs. The senior IPA advisor will communicate and help articulate programs’ goals and priorities to external stakeholders, including congressional offices and staff, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, other federal agencies and leaders of computing groups and associations, consistent with NSF priorities and policies.
The senior IPA advisor will be expected to communicate complex scientific and technical priorities clearly and demonstrate how CISE and OAC investments contribute to scientific discovery, technological leadership, economic competitiveness and workforce development.
The senior IPA advisor will help determine funding requirements, support the preparation and justification of budget estimates, assess and help balance competing program needs and provide recommendations on investments and funding priorities, consistent with applicable NSF and federal authorities, policies and ethical requirements. In carrying out these responsibilities, the senior IPA advisor will consider agency priorities and broader national research and education, technology and workforce needs, and identify opportunities where CISE investments can achieve a significant scientific and technological impact.
The senior IPA advisor will also foster partnerships with other NSF directorates, federal agencies, scientific organizations, industry and the academic community.
The position recruited under this announcement will be filled under the following appointment option(s):
Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment: Individuals 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-year period. The individual remains an employee of the home institution and NSF provides the negotiated funding toward the assignee’s salary and benefits. Initial IPA assignments are made for a one-year period and may be extended by mutual agreement.Â
Essential Skills
- A doctorate in a science or engineering field is strongly preferred, or equivalent experience in leading cyberinfrastructure strategy and deployment.
- Â Broad knowledge of computing, information science and engineering, AI research, and relevant technologies and industries.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to plan and execute complex cyberinfrastructure projects.
- Experience leading the development and implementation of cyberinfrastructure resources to meet the broad science and engineering research, education, and workforce needs.
- Demonstrated ability to assess emerging technologies, research trends and community needs and translate them into actionable program strategies.
- Exceptional executive communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex scientific, technical, budget and policy issues clearly and persuasively to a variety of audiences.
- Experience building and sustaining partnerships across federal agencies, academia, industry and the broader research community to advance complex, large-scale scientific and technology initiatives.
Interested applicants should submit application materials electronically to: cisecareeropportunities@nsf.gov and include:
- Current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Brief statement of interest highlighting relevant experience or areas of expertise.
- Current contact information.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Be advised that IPA participants will be eligible for either one year of per diem allowance, in accordance with U.S. General Services Administration rates, or a round-trip household goods move to the Washington metropolitan area to support the rotational assignment.
NSF encourages you to share this opportunity broadly with qualified colleagues and professional networks. Questions regarding this outreach effort or IPA opportunities may also be directed to Lindsey Moraz, excepted service unit chief, NSF Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, at lmoraz@nsf.gov.
Source: NSF Job Opportunities
