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
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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
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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