NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
                           4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
                            ARLINGTON, VA 22230
                                     

Title:    Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Program Director
            Opportunities--Dear Colleague Letter

Date:    February 10, 2003



Dear Colleague:

The Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) announces a nationwide search
for a number of Program Director positions at the National Science
Foundation (NSF).

NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the
Agency's overall mission: to support innovative and merit-reviewed
activities in research and education that are fundamental to the nation's
capacity to perform.  To discharge 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.

Qualification requirements include a Ph.D. or equivalent professional
experience in Biological Sciences plus six or more years of successful
research, research administration and/or substantial managerial experience
in academe, industry, or government.  All appointees are expected to
function both within specific program boundaries, as well as in a team
mode, contributing to and coordinating with organizations in the
Directorate, across the Foundation, and with other Federal and State
government agencies and private-sector organizations.  Periodic assignments
to leadership of interdivisional, inter-directorate and interagency
programs may be made. We are particularly interested in attracting women
and underrepresented minority candidates to these positions.

Program Director positions recruited under this announcement may be filled
under one of the following appointment options:

  ·    Visiting Scientist Appointment.  Appointment to this position will be
     made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act.  A Visiting Scientist is
     on non-paid leave status from their home institution and appointed to NSF’s
     payroll as a Federal employee.  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 up
     to one year and may be extended for an additional year by mutual agreement.
  
  ·    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 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.

  ·    Temporary Excepted Service Appointment.  Appointment to this position
     will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act.  Candidates who
     do not have civil service status or reinstatement eligibility will not
     obtain civil service status if selected.  Candidates currently in the
     competitive service will be required to waive competitive civil service
     rights if selected.  Usual civil service benefits (retirement, health
     benefits, life insurance) are applicable for appointments of more than one
     year.  Temporary appointment may not exceed three years.

  ·    Reimbursable Interagency Detail.  Federal employees may be detailed
     from one agency to another under an interagency agreement.  Under such an
     agreement, the individual would retain current employment status at the
     home agency and NSF would provide funding toward the detailee’s salary and
     benefits.

For additional information on NSF’s rotational programs, please see
“Programs for Scientists, Engineers and Educators” on the NSF website at
http://www.nsf.gov/jobs.

In addition to addressing current openings, our intention is to develop a
candidate pool for consideration as other Program Director positions become
available in BIO.  We are looking for individuals who have a compelling
interest in the challenges and opportunities facing 21st Century Biology
and interested in the stimulating challenges of an appointment with the
Foundation.  Please share this information with your colleagues. More
detailed information on the divisions listed below may be found at
http://www.nsf.gov/bio/start.htm.

Applications and questions concerning Program Director positions should be
directed to the relevant Division Director(s) noted below:

                 Biological Infrastructure (DBI)
                 Dr. Machi Dilworth
                 Room 615
                (703) 292-8470
                 mdilworth@nsf.gov

                Environmental Biology (DEB)
                Dr. Quentin Wheeler
                Room 635
                (703) 292-8480
                qwheeler@nsf.gov

                Integrative Biology and Neuroscience (IBN)
                Dr. Judith Verbeke
                Room 685
                (703) 292-8420
                jverbeke@nsf.gov

                Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB)
                Dr.  Maryanna Henkart
                Room 655
                (703) 292-8440
                mhenkart@nsf.gov


Formal consideration of applications will commence immediately.

Sincerely,

Mary E. Clutter
Assistant Director