Behavioral Scientist (Program Director, Linguistics)

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Division : Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (SBE / BCS)

Directorate : Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)

Job Type : STEM

Appointment Type : Temporary / Rotator

Pay Grade / Scale : AD-04

Salary Range : $169,430 - $204,000

Position Summary

The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for a Program Director for the Linguistics and DLI-DEL Programs in the Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS) within the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), Alexandria, VA.

Have you got what it takes to succeed The following information should be read carefully by all candidates.

BCS is a division within SBE and is responsible for the support of fundamental research in all behavioral and cognitive science fields. The Division is composed of standing programs in the Anthropological and Geographical Sciences, as well as the Cognitive, Psychological, and Language Sciences.

The successful applicant is expected to assume responsibilities as Program Director for Linguistics and also the (NSF) Dynamic Language Infrastructure – (NEH) Documenting Endangered Languages (DLI-DEL) Program.

Fundamental tasks include the administration of the merit review process and proposal recommendations, program budget administration, participation in strategic planning for the program, division, directorate, and agency, the preparation of public-facing materials highlighting advances in the supported research, as well as coordination with related programs in NSF or in other agencies and organizations.

The responsibilities of NSF Program Directors are dynamic and constantly evolving. Program Directors have an opportunity and responsibility to ensure NSF-funded research is at the forefront of advancing fundamental knowledge. In support of that, Program Directors are responsible for extensive interaction with academic research communities, as well as interaction with other Federal agencies that may lead to development of interagency collaborations. Within this context, Program Directors solicit, receive and review research proposals, make funding recommendations, administer awards, and undertake interaction with research communities in their fields.

Position Description

We seek a Program Director who can cultivate a portfolio that addresses all aspects of linguistics and the human language sciences. We also expect a successful candidate to utilize their expertise to engage with other programs in the division, the directorate, and across the agency in relevant cross-directorate programs and initiatives related to their linguistic expertise.

The Linguistics Program supports basic science in the domains of the structure, acquisition, and processing of human language, encompassing investigations of the phonological, morphological, semantic, and syntactic properties of human languages, their intersections with social and environmental contexts, and of language processing, including across diverse learning and interactional situations, such as first, second, or multilingual contexts. The program encourages projects that are interdisciplinary in theoretical perspective and / or methodological approach, and that address questions that cross disciplinary boundaries. Linguistics Program Directors also manage the Dynamic Language Infrastructure-Documenting Endangered Languages (DLI-DEL) program, a cross-agency program with the National Endowment for the Humanities, which supports research and infrastructure that advances the science of language documentation of endangered languages through the preparation of lexicons, grammars, databases, and the development of computational tools in support of language documentation.

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.

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 and life insurance) are applicable for appointments of more than one year. Temporary appointments may not exceed three years.

Visiting Scientist, Engineer, and Educator (VSEE) Program : Appointment to this position 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. 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 a one-year period and may be extended for an additional year by mutual agreement.

This job is open to the public.

Application Timeline

Date posted : November 25, 2024

Formal consideration of interested applicants will begin December 27, 2024 and will continue until a selection is made.

This is a rotator position.

NSF offers a chance for scientists, engineers, and educators to join us as temporary program directors - called rotators. Rotators make recommendations about which proposals to fund; influence new directions in the fields of science, engineering, and education; support cutting-edge interdisciplinary research; and mentor junior research members. As a rotator, you will be in a prime position to collaborate with others and increase your visibility as you survey the entire breadth of U.S. and international science, engineering, and education in real time. In addition, as a temporary program director, you can retain your ties to your current institution and return to it with new insights and experience for your team.

NSF is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Employing a Highly Qualified Staff that Reflects the Diversity of Our Nation.

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Salary : $169,430 - $204,000