Behavioral Scientist (Program Director, Human-Environment and Geographical Sciences)

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

The objective of the Human-Environment and Geographical Sciences (HEGS) Program is to support basic scientific research about the nature, causes, and/or consequences of the spatial distribution of human activity and/or environmental processes across a range of scales. The selected program officer must demonstrate broad familiarity with the full range of the geographical sciences. She or he will also be involved in relevant and related cross-directorate program and initiatives such as the Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems (DISES), Coastlines and People (CoPe), and, as needed, other related cross-directorate initiatives.

The responsibilities of NSF Program Directors are dynamic and constantly evolve. The Program Director is guided by the goals of NSF's Strategic Plan: (1) enable the U.S. to uphold a position of world leadership in all aspects of science, mathematics, and engineering, (2) promote the discovery, integration, dissemination, and employment of new knowledge in service to society, and (3) achieve excellence in U.S. science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education at all levels. The core strategies NSF staff employ include developing intellectual capital, strengthening the physical infrastructure, integrating research and education, and promoting partnerships.

Program Directors have an unparalleled opportunity and responsibility for carrying out the agency's mission to support research through a merit review process that promotes the progress of science, advances national welfare, and secures the national defense. The Program Director should have deep and broad knowledge of linguistics, be committed to high standards, be receptive to new ideas, have good inter-personal skills, value fairness, and hold a high degree of personal integrity.