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[gomer_pyle]

I heard about an opening at NSF, a temporary program manager
position. It's a 1-2 year gig. Afterwards, it may or may not lead
to something more permanent.

I was wondering, if, after 1-2 years, I am let back into the wild,
can I use this experience to apply for an admin job back at
the university level. If so, what kind of admin job am I
eligible?

Thanks for any insight you can offer.

[london1]

I would imagine that you would be able to apply for program manager, program coordinator, and assistant director level positions with this experience.

[sirkdn]

I was a member of a review panel at NSF for three years awhile back (not as an exalted position as PM, of course).  However, my experience seemed to impress people during my Chair and Dean searches...  so, if you can afford the "time off" to do this, I would say "go for it".

[prof_d]

This is highly valued at my university and generally can and does lead to administrative posts--or to even more success with getting grants, once the cooling off period ends.  It pays well (unless you are at the top of your research game) and there are funds for travel to execute your own work/attend professional meetings.  Excellent insight into the operations of NSF.

NSF is interested in bringing in scholars from a variety of backgrounds, but, of course, some slots for rotators are more coveted than others. Can be highly competitive.  You'd best be familiar with spreadsheets and have a high tolerance for travel and meetings and bureaucracy.

I assume you looked over the position descriptioin on their website and know you are qualified. I'd say "go for it."

[cropguru]

Interesting discussion, thanks!  I'm applying for a project manager job at Really Big R1 University that will administrate a NSF grant, funded for five years.  I hope it's something good for the future, as I've not had a lot of interview luck on the teaching end of things.

[prof_d]

cropguru...Is it an IGERT grant?

[cropguru]

cropguru...Is it an IGERT grant?

I'm going to have to check.  From the description, it sounds close to what IGERT proposes to do, but I do not think it is an IGERT grant.  The grant was awarded to our school (I work in a different deaprtment of the same university), so this one is good to go.  It sounds like IGERT is somewhat brand new.

The job is to oversee eight fellows, act as liason to the secondary schools (science education enhancement) that these fellows will work, and disperse funds to do the work.  The fellows are either MS or Ph.D. students in a number of sciences, focusing on sociology, natural resources, entomology, and environmental sciences.  This is brand new stuff, hopefully I can get in on the ground floor.

[prof_d]

You're right, it's not IGERT (which is about 10 years old in its current form).  I can't think of the NSF program that does what you describe, but it sounds fascinating.  Good luck!