Polar Sciences, Program Director; IPA)

Position: Polar Sciences, Program Director (IPA)
# Polar Sciences, Program Director (IPA)
Office:  Polar Programs (OD/OPP)
Directorate:
Office of the Director (OD)
Job Type:STEM Appointment Type:

Temporary / Rotator Pay Grade/Scale:

AD-04---## Position Summary The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking highly qualified individuals interested in serving in STEM positions through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Mobility Program. This agency-wide informal outreach effort aims to identify candidates with strong scientific, technical, leadership, and program management expertise who are interested in contributing to NSF’s mission to promote the progress of science and advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare.

NSF is particularly interested in candidates with demonstrated experience in STEM disciplines, strategic leadership, research administration, innovation, and collaboration across academia, industry, and government.

IPA assignments provide a unique opportunity for eligible individuals from academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and other eligible entities to contribute their expertise while gaining valuable federal experience supporting national science and engineering priorities.## Position Description The NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP) supports fundamental research and discovery in the Arctic and Antarctic and provides the research infrastructure and capabilities necessary to enable U.S. science in the polar regions.

OPP's Polar Sciences Section supports a broad portfolio of research spanning the atmospheric, biological, earth, ocean, social, astrophysics, and geospace sciences, as well as interdisciplinary and systems-level research addressing the polar regions.

Polar Sciences program directors work across programs supporting Arctic and Antarctic research, with opportunities to manage research portfolios, advance scientific priorities, foster interdisciplinary and cross-program collaboration, and engage with the national and international polar research communities.

Candidates with expertise in NSF-supported areas of science relevant to research in the Arctic and Antarctic are welcome to apply.## 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.## ## ##Apply by Email This job is open to the public## Application Timeline Date posted:
September 15, 2026

Closing date:
Open until filled## 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.

Learn more about rotator programs at NSFNSF is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Employing a Highly Qualified Staff that Reflects the Diversity of Our Nation.

Announcement Number: OPP
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