The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking qualified candidates for Supervisory (Interdisciplinary) Scientist/Engineer positions. These positions may be established within any NSF Directorate/Office.
Please visit www.nsf.gov for more information about the Foundation.
Summary
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking qualified candidates for Supervisory (Interdisciplinary) Scientist/Engineer positions. These positions may be established within any NSF Directorate/Office.
Please visit www.nsf.gov for more information about the Foundation.
This vacancy is open to Current NSF Employees only.
Applications will be accepted from all U.S. citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements.
The Supervisory Scientist/Engineer serves as a principal advisor to the Directorate/Office Head, Assistant Director, Deputy Directorate/Office Head, and/or other senior organizational leadership, providing policy, scientific, and administrative expertise in assessing and addressing major collaborative initiatives and issues involving the Foundation's support of research, engineering, STEM education, research infrastructure, innovation, and other priority areas. The incumbent is expected to represent their Directorate/Office in policies and coordination activities. The incumbent coordinates on budget, planning matters, special studies, and reports.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Serves as a senior scientific and policy advisor to Directorate/Office leadership on complex, interdisciplinary, and emerging research areas, providing expert analysis and recommendations.
Provides strategic leadership in advancing organizational vision and integrating national priorities into program planning and implementation.
Represents the Foundation on national and international committees, panels, and interagency groups; interprets and communicates NSF policies and funding priorities to the research community.
Identifies and develops new and emerging research initiatives; leads special studies, cross-directorate projects, and strategic program reviews.
Leads long-range planning and budget development for assigned portfolios; ensures effective stewardship of resources.
Oversees the merit review process, award and declination decisions, and post-award oversight to ensure integrity, transparency, and compliance.
Collaborates with senior leadership, Deputy Directorate Heads, and business operations staff to align scientific priorities with operational and budgetary considerations.
Assists in recruiting and mentoring IPA assignees, STEM professionals, and other staff to sustain scientific excellence.
Selectee will be required to have a background investigation prior to onboarding.
Selectee may be required to serve a 2-year trial period.
Selectee may be required to serve a 1-year supervisory probationary period.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full/blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
It is NSF policy that personnel employed at, or Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) individuals detailed to, NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General.
NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary.
Qualifications
The incumbent must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate field; or Master's degree with relevant experience; or equivalent professional experience in a field aligned with the NSF mission.
Candidates must demonstrate extensive, progressively responsible experience in scientific research, research administration, or program leadership that includes:
Providing leadership and strategic direction for major scientific programs, portfolios, or facilities.
Managing or overseeing policy development, budgeting, planning, and project management activities related to scientific research.
Identifying emerging scientific trends and recommending programmatic priorities or new directions.
Advising senior leadership and interacting on a peer basis with senior scientific and managerial officials across Federal agencies, academia, industry, and international organizations.
Applying strong analytical skills to assess complex issues, establish priorities, and develop actionable recommendations.
Experience must demonstrate the ability to exercise independent judgment, influence strategic outcomes, and contribute to organizational leadership at a senior level.
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, and life insurance) are applicable.
You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed to this position.
You must meet eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Education
Please refer to the Qualifications section.
Additional information
This announcement is open to current NSF federal employees only.
If you do not have civil service status or reinstatement eligibility, you will not obtain civil service status if selected. If you are currently in the competitive civil service, you will be required to waive competitive civil service rights if selected.
This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.
You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position.
Only applications submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and research relevant to the duties of the position. In some cases, additional assessment processes may also be used.
You are highly encouraged to specifically address the Quality Ranking Factors below. This will ensure that you receive full consideration in the evaluation process.
Quality Ranking Factors
1. Strategic Scientific Leadership
Describe your experience providing leadership and strategic direction for major scientific programs, portfolios, or research facilities. Include examples of how you established long-term goals, aligned resources, and ensured mission impact.
2. Program Management, Budgeting, and Policy Oversight
Explain your experience managing or overseeing scientific research programs, including responsibilities related to budgeting, policy development, planning, and project execution. What approaches have you used to ensure accountability, efficiency, and successful outcomes?
3. Identification of Emerging Trends and Innovation
Provide an example of how you identified emerging scientific trends or gaps and translated that insight into programmatic priorities, new initiatives, or strategic shifts. What impact did your recommendations have?
4. Executive-Level Advising and External Engagement
Describe your experience advising senior leadership and collaborating with high-level stakeholders across Federal agencies, academia, industry, or international organizations. How have you influenced decision-making or advanced organizational objectives?
5. Analytical Problem Solving and Decision-Making
Discuss a complex scientific or organizational challenge you faced that required strong analytical skills. How did you assess the issue, prioritize competing demands, and develop actionable recommendations? What was the outcome?
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
All applicants are required to submit a legible resume that is no longer than two pages. In addition to the two-page resume, a Curriculum Vitae (CV) may be submitted as a Supplemental Application document.
Your application should contain the following information:
Information about your education, your major, and type and year of degree(s); and Information about all your work experience, including job titles, duties, and accomplishments, employer's name and phone number, number of hours worked per week, starting and ending dates (month and year), and salary. If you have held various positions with the same employer, describe each separately.
You are strongly encouraged to submit a cover letter and QRF responses that describe your background in terms of the professional skills associated with this position. This information will be used in the evaluation process.
Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your resume.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applicants must complete and submit an application online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website at https://www.USAJOBS.gov. An account must be established at the OPM website following the instructions provided in order to apply for the position. Once you have completed the USAJOBS process, you will be re-directed to the USA Staffing system to complete your application process, answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. Applications submitted other than the USAJOBS online application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED under this announcement.
Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying online for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Please allow adequate time to complete your application.
If you encounter technical difficulties during the process, please submit a USA Staffing Help Ticket for assistance. If you have technical difficulties applying to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website, visit the USAJOBS Help Center. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS.
As the applicant, it is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, and submitted is received and is accurate. Ensure that your application includes the required documents listed under "Required Documents" and that they are uploaded in the appropriate fields.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of this application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact on this job opportunity announcement.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
All applicants are required to submit a legible resume that is no longer than two pages. In addition to the two-page resume, a Curriculum Vitae (CV) may be submitted as a Supplemental Application document.
Your application should contain the following information:
Information about your education, your major, and type and year of degree(s); and Information about all your work experience, including job titles, duties, and accomplishments, employer's name and phone number, number of hours worked per week, starting and ending dates (month and year), and salary. If you have held various positions with the same employer, describe each separately.
You are strongly encouraged to submit a cover letter and QRF responses that describe your background in terms of the professional skills associated with this position. This information will be used in the evaluation process.
Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your resume.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applicants must complete and submit an application online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website at https://www.USAJOBS.gov. An account must be established at the OPM website following the instructions provided in order to apply for the position. Once you have completed the USAJOBS process, you will be re-directed to the USA Staffing system to complete your application process, answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. Applications submitted other than the USAJOBS online application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED under this announcement.
Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying online for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Please allow adequate time to complete your application.
If you encounter technical difficulties during the process, please submit a USA Staffing Help Ticket for assistance. If you have technical difficulties applying to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website, visit the USAJOBS Help Center. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS.
As the applicant, it is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, and submitted is received and is accurate. Ensure that your application includes the required documents listed under "Required Documents" and that they are uploaded in the appropriate fields.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of this application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact on this job opportunity announcement.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
