Physical Scientist

**Duties**:
The Particle Astrophysics - Experiment program in the Division of Physics supports research using astrophysical sources and particle physics techniques to study fundamental physics. This includes research utilizing astrophysical sources of gamma-rays, cosmic-rays, and neutrinos as well as research that locates experiments in low-background environments to study solar, underground, and reactor neutrinos; neutrino mass measurements and searches for the direct detection of Dark Matter.

The responsibilities of the NSF Particle Astrophysics Program Director include, for example, long-range planning and budget development for the program, the administration of the merit review process and proposal recommendations, oversight of awards, the preparation of press releases, feature articles and material describing advances in the supported research, and coordination and liaison with other programs in NSF, along with other Federal agencies and organizations.

NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the agency's overall mission to support innovative and merit-reviewed activities in basic research and education that contribute to the nation's technical strength, security, and welfare. To fulfill 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.

Additional duties and responsibilities include:
PROGRAM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

Maintains a healthy balance of support for all the needs of the research and education enterprise either through program, division, directorate, Foundation, or interagency activities.

Manages program resources to provide optimal appropriate scientific judgment to ensure integrity and consistency in the grant/declination process without conflict of interests, and with balance among appropriate sub-fields and institutions, and participation of all qualified scientists. Incorporate cross-directorate responsibilities into program administration.

Manages an effective, timely merit review process, with attention to increasing the size and quality of the reviewer pools and ensuring engagement of the full spectrum of diverse talent in physics.

Provides scientific expertise, evaluation and advice for other programs in NSF, including international programs, other research programs, and cross-directorate programs.

Advises and assists in the development of short
- and long-range plans, establishing goals and objectives for research programs.

Plans the budget for the program considering past, present and future fiscal years, allocates resources within the budget by distributing scarce resources among major competitive programs.

Oversees and administers the post-award management process for awards in the program where necessary.

Controls waste, fraud and abuse.

**REPRESENTATION, COMMUNICATION, AND LEADERSHIP**

Represents the Particle Astrophysics - Experiment Program, Division and Foundation within the scientific community, with other NSF Divisions, with other appropriate agencies and organizations, and with the public, accurately reflecting NSF policy and positions.
Creates and maintains linkages to other NSF units and other Federal agencies in pursuit of the overall NSF mission.
Participates in staff, panel, committee, and other meetings, providing input relevant to Program area and/or Division.
Pursues and/or be responsive to assignments on special projects and temporary functional teams from across the Foundation to solve problems, improve staff communication, and effect coordination for special programs.
Contributes ideas and efforts to improving the quality of policies and NSF's performance of the overall mission.
Develops policies and plans for strengthening research and education programs.

Provides information to the community on how NSF Is pursuing its mission and gathers data and impressions from the community on the effectiveness of NSF's performance of its mission.

Prepares and disseminates a variety of informational documents which may include data on progress being made toward NSF's goals, trends and opportunities papers, and budget plans.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Establishes contacts and maintains active involvement in Program and related areas through participation in professional activities. Maintains familiarity with salient current research developments. Pursues individual research as workload and travel funds permit.

Expands administrative capabilities through training courses or assumption of new management responsibilities.

**Requirements**:
**Conditions of Employment**:
**This position is outside the competitive civil service.**

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 3403.

**Qualifications**: