The following is a letter to the community from National Science Foundation (NSF) Director, France A. Córdova.

Dear Colleague:

The National Science Foundation is initiating a national search for the Assistant Director for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE). We seek your assistance in the identification of visionary candidates to lead the Directorate during the coming years. Dr. James Kurose has served in this position with distinction since January 2015. He has worked with his NSF colleagues on new initiatives in Harnessing the Data Revolution and other NSF Big Ideas; and with the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), other Federal agencies, industry partners, and the academic research community on new initiatives in Advanced Wireless Communications, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science for All, Strategic Computing, and Smart and Connected Communities. Dr. Kurose has also overseen the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC) and the CISE Directorate in cyberinfrastructure initiatives that have included Leadership-Class Computing, enhanced access to cloud computing, and more. The next Assistant Director will have similar opportunities to shape future research and education in the computer and information sciences, to ensure CISE is a key participant in NSF’s expanding efforts to support convergence research, and to sustain OAC’s leadership of advanced cyberinfrastructure for the broader science and engineering enterprise.

The Assistant Director, CISE, manages a budget of approximately $960M and a portfolio comprising the various fields of the computer and information sciences, including the Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF), the Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS), and the Division of Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS), as well as investments in advanced cyberinfrastructure through OAC. Attached is a PDF version of this message, which includes an information sheet summarizing the Directorate’s activities and the responsibilities of the position, together with the criteria that will be used in the search. Employment may be on a temporary or permanent basis in the Federal Service or by temporary assignment under provisions of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act.

We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Vinton Cerf, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist at Google and past member of the National Science Board, will chair the Search Advisory Committee. Both the Committee and I seek your help in identifying candidates with the following qualifications: outstanding leadership; a deep sense of scholarship; and a grasp of the issues facing the computer and information sciences, especially in the areas of education and fundamental research, as well as in advanced cyberinfrastructure. Candidates must also serve effectively as a key member of the NSF senior management team, teaming with the NSF Director and other Assistant Directors on cross-directorate activities and interactions with the executive and legislative branches of government. When opportunities arise, the candidate must be able to communicate effectively with leaders of business and industry as well as the philanthropic community. Recommendations of individuals from any sector — academic, industry, or government — are welcome.

Please send your recommendations, including any supporting information which you might be able to provide, to the AD/CISE Screening Committee via e-mail (cisesrch@nsf.gov) or at the following address: National Science Foundation, Office of the Director, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22314. We would appreciate receiving your recommendations by April 5, 2019.

Sincerely,

/// signed ///

France A. Córdova
Director
National Science Foundation
2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 19100
Alexandria, VA 22314