Readers, I have been contacted by a rotating NSF Program Officer from the IOS division of Bio. She is interested in writing a guest post about the job she has. Rotators are visiting POs, who spend 1-3 years at NSF while maintaing their labs at their home institution. This category of PO is, as far as I know, unique to NSF and ensures that active scientists get involved in the funding process. As you might imagine, I am always intrigued by what draws an individual to become a rotating PO, and so I am excited by this opportunity.
What are the kinds of things you would to know about? What questions do you have? Leave them below.
Like PLS, my questions would be focused on how she personally decided to become a rotator, and how she managed to accommodate her family and lab while she's at NSF. However I assume this will reveal too many identifiable details about her particular situation.
I was just at NSF for a grant panel and I'm far less upset about the preproposal requirement now than I was before. I honestly can't think of a job-related question to ask.
This will be an NSF-sanctioned post by an identified PO, so questions do not need to be limited to those that would not reveal details.
I would be curious, Phagenista, what you saw at NSF that made you feel better about the preproposals.
I would like to ask her if and how NSF intends to increase their slice of the pie, so that they can actually increase funding rates.
Also, how can I get more fiber in my diet?
Josh, what do you mean by "slice of the pie"? Are you talking about lobbying for a larger budget? If so, they actually are not allowed to do that, as federal employees.
Uh-huh.
Questions for a rotator...
What's happening with your research while you're at the NSF?
Did you time your service around the time to graduation/completion of members of your group?
What accommodations did your university make to help you run your group at a distance?
How has this affected your family, and did you time your service at NSF around family concerns?
How many conferences are you attending a year, and (how) are you being supported to attend them?
Can you continue to apply for funding opportunities while you're a rotator (for instance, in your last year, funding to commence as you are back in research)?
What were the reasons you chose to be a rotator, and what new things have you learned in your position that you think are additional reasons to be a rotator?