[Physics opps] DC DOE opportunity - good if you'd like to defer your PhD for a year

[8-opps@mit.edu]

Ms. Alicia Lanz,who has served as my special assistant since last July, will be leaving in June to begin graduate work in physics at Caltech.  I am looking for candidates to replace her. 

As Under Secretary for Science, my responsibilities cover the full scope theDepartment of Energy, including monitoring the science, energy and weaponsresearch programs for synergies, duplications or gaps; providing advice onthe well-being and management of the DOE national labs; and advisingSecretary Chu on long-term planning of the science and research anddevelopment portfolio of the Department. 

My special assistant is hired as a non-career, political appointment.  Duties include: 

·         Preparing technical briefs for meetings; 
·         Taking notes during meetings and share information with my staffand Office of Science staff as necessary. 
·         Following up on action items for the Under Secretary (this includesaction items agreed to in one-on-one meetings; close coordination isnecessary). 
·         Preparing briefing book materials as needed, especially for travel.Understanding the issues and agenda of various groups that invited me tospeak is important. 
·         Reading technical reports and scientific journal articles andproviding me summaries. 
·         Preparing remarks, abstracts for remarks, and slides for myspeaking engagements. Creating transcripts as necessary. 
·         Providing staff support while I’m on travel (travel isapproximately 10-20% of the time). 
·         Develop first drafts of written documents for me as necessary.Examples include Congressional testimony, program outlines, emails, and otherwritten captures of ideas. 
·         Coordinating in-depth technical meetings or conferences of 5-50participants as necessary (past topics have included climate science andgreenhouse gas treaty monitoring). 

Strong technical, written, and interpersonal skills are a must, as are theability to contribute flexibly in a small-team environment and a willingnessto work long hours on a government salary.  The compensation for the latter,of course, is exposure to a great diversity of science, energy, and nationalsecurity matters, and seeing up-close the science funding and policysausage-making. 

The job requires a one-year commitment beginning in June and is based in DOEheadquarters in DC.  The ideal candidate would be a recent science orengineering graduate who has been accepted into their Ph.D. program and iswilling to defer the start of graduate work for a year. US citizenship andability to secure a Q-clearance are required. 

Please have any interested candidates send their resumes to Dr. Mike Holland,my staff director, at mike.holland at science.doe.gov. 

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. 

Steve Koonin 

PS Please feel free to forward this email as you might think appropriate. 
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