PORTUGAL: REQUEST FOR EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LISBON 000852 SIPDIS SIPDIS PASS TO OES/STC (EISENSTADT),OES/STC (HART) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KSCA TSPL SENV AMGT APER OTRA PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: REQUEST FOR EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS IN 2007 REF: STATE 30914 Summary -------------- ¶1. Embassy Lisbon requests Science Fellows for 2007/2008 to expand the Embassy's contacts with Portuguese counterparts and to develop direct relationships with research institutions. The Science Fellow Program also plays a valuable role in our ongoing S&T cooperation with Portugal as required by our Bilateral Agreement on Cooperation and Defense (ACD). While all applications are welcome, Post is actively seeking specialists in environmental protection, climate change, renewable energy sources (including bioenergy),and oceans issues. Point of contact in Portugal for the Embassy Science Fellow Program is Inga Heemink at 351-21-770-2243; fax: 351-21-726-6559, email: Heeminki@state.gov. Back up is Cari Enav at 351-21-770-2242, email: EnavCR@state.gov. End Summary. ¶2. Embassy Lisbon welcomes applications from all agencies for the Embassy Science Fellows program for periods ranging from six to eight weeks. Fellows will enable this Mission to fulfill requirements for S&T cooperation under the Bilateral Agreement on Cooperation and Defense and build on the success of previous Science Fellows from NSF, NASA, NOAA, NIH, and USDA. We will work directly with interested candidates to define an appropriate schedule that combines the Fellow's own research specialty with broader Embassy goals for S&T cooperation. Past Science Fellows in Portugal have conducted their work in a variety of ways, and we will remain flexible to take best advantage of each Fellow's background and qualifications. Fellows can expect to include travel within Portugal as part of their assignment. All Fellows will be expected to participate in public outreach efforts. Although we welcome Fellows from all agencies, we have outlined below some our interest areas. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -------------- ¶3. Embassy Lisbon actively seeks a Fellow with experience in environmental protection and conservation. The environment, climate change, and fulfilling its Kyoto Protocol commitments rank as top policy goals for the Portuguese government. The government is investing heavily in the renewable energy sector and pollution prevention, but many challenges remain. Areas of interest include forest management and conservation, soil erosion, water resources management, and the incorporation of bioenergy into national and regional environmental and energy plans. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) -------------- -------------- ¶4. Embassy Lisbon also welcomes applications from NOAA. The Government of Portugal has sought U.S. expertise in oceans policies and coastal management. Other areas of interest include marine robotics, marine biology and the tracking of fish stocks, evaluating coastal zones and river estuaries, and creating modeling systems. NOAA Fellows would visit several top-level Portuguese ocean science research institutes and the Institute of Meteorology to assess ongoing research programs for possible cooperative research programs with U.S. universities or federal agencies. A significant portion of the Fellow's stay would be spent in the Azores. National Science Foundation (NSF) -------------- ¶5. NSF Fellows would be called upon to support the Embassy's efforts to build partnerships between U.S. and Portuguese universities that could lead to joint research projects. Past NSF Fellows in Lisbon have conducted science roundtable meetings with Portuguese research institutes and high-tech companies, organized seminars to promote university-industry partnerships, and given lectures on their work to Portuguese audiences. Outlined below are areas of interest for both Embassy Lisbon and the Portuguese government. Environment/Geosciences: Embassy Lisbon strongly encourages applications from individuals specializing in renewable or alternative energy sources, in particular bioenergy. Other areas of interest include forest fire prevention and forest protection, geological surveying, and geo-spatial imaging. Science and Technology in Education: Improving the qualifications of the Portuguese workforce comprises one of the central elements of Portugal's Technology Plan, the government's initiative to increase global competitiveness. The Fellow would work with government ministries, non-profit groups, and universities to develop projects to increase student participation in the sciences. LISBON 00000852 002 OF 002 Administrative Issues -------------- ¶6. Embassy Fellows are expected to obtain a secret security clearance before arrival in Portugal. Also, USG employees working temporarily at a USG overseas location must complete appropriate overseas personal security training prior to travel. Embassy Lisbon has provided government-leased housing or corporate-living-style apartments for past Science Fellows. Embassy Fellows should expect to participate actively as part of the Country Team during their tenure in country. We will encourage all Fellows to consider travel to the Azores as part of their agenda in Portugal. O'Neal