4 September 2013

Applications Invited for the APS/AIP Science & Technology Postdoc

Richard Fienberg

Richard Fienberg American Astronomical Society

The following announcement was received from Aline D. McNaull, Government Relations Division, American Institute of Physics:

Applications are now being accepted for the APS/AIP Science and Technology Policy Fellowship at the US Department of Education. The application deadline is 20 September 2013.

The American Physical Society (APS) and American Institute of Physics (AIP) will jointly sponsor a science policy fellowship at the US Department of Education (ED) within the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development (OPEPD). The selected fellow, a PhD-level member of one of the AIP Member Societies, will spend up to two years working on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education policy and programs at ED.

Fellows may be asked to conduct research and develop metrics to assess the impact of various department initiatives; explore emerging STEM issues in P-12 education, higher education, career and technical education, or STEM teacher preparation; identify new ways for ED to deepen its impact in STEM fields; coordinate interagency efforts to achieve ED policy goals; develop policy priorities for proposed programs such as STEM Innovation Networks; perform legislative research; and identify potential partnerships between ED and other federal agencies, state and local governments and the private sector. The OPEPD is responsible for coordinating and developing major policy initiatives in close collaboration with staff in other departments, the White House, and Congress and the fellow would play a role in these efforts.

Qualifications

  • Hold a doctoral level degree (PhD) in a field of physics (e.g., theoretical or experimental physics, physics education research, astronomy, biophysics, etc.)
  • The ideal candidate will have a background in physics education research
  • Have solid scientific and technical credentials and the endorsement of three references
  • Show a commitment to serve society
  • Exhibit outstanding communications skills and demonstrated ability to craft policy papers, decision memos, talking points and program proposals on complex education issues for diverse audiences, including non-scientific audiences
  • Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and willingness to work with a wide range of individuals and offices at the department and ability to be effective in large bureaucracies
  • Possess the ability to operate and execute with limited guidance and in ambiguous or novel circumstances; and the ability to appropriately and effectively use informal authority when leading teams or projects
  • Hold U.S. citizenship (dual citizenship is acceptable)
  • Federal employees are not eligible
  • Candidates must have some familiarity with education policy and/or federal policy
  • Applicants must be a member of one of the AIP Member Societies

Fellowship Term

The selected Fellow will work at ED in an office agreed to by ED, APS, and AIP for a minimum of one year; however, the fellowship appointment will not exceed two years.

Benefits

  • The fellowship stipend is $70,000 per year with additional funding to support professional development and travel
  • Fellows are eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Federal Employees Group Life Insurance, and other benefit programs available to Federal employees

Application Process and Deadline

Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and list of references to Dr. Tyler Glembo at [email protected]. The application announcement with additional information is available on the APS website.

The application deadline is 20 September 2013.