PORTUGAL: REQUEST FOR EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LISBON 000941 SIPDIS SIPDIS PASS TO OES/STC (KANE) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KSAC TSPL SENV AMGT APER OTRA PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: REQUEST FOR EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS IN 2008 REF: STATE 28712 Summary -------------- ¶1. Embassy Lisbon requests Science Fellows for 2008/2009 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 renewable energy sources (including bioenergy),climate change, oceans issues, and environmental protection. Point of contact in Portugal for the Embassy Science Fellow Program is Gary Applegarth at 351-21-770-2575; fax: 351-21-726-6559; email: ApplegarthGB@state.gov. Backup 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, USDA, and EPA. 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 of our interest areas. National Science Foundation (NSF) -------------- ¶3. 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 fire 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. 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, so applicants with knowledge of ongoing work by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the President's Ocean Action Plan would be ideal. Other areas of interest include marine robotics, marine biology and the tracking of fish stocks, coastal zone/estuary management, and modeling. 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. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -------------- ¶5. Embassy Lisbon has had great success with recent EPA Fellows with climate change and marine environment expertise and seeks additional EPA Fellows with experience in environmental protection and conservation, particularly as they relate to renewable energies and impacts on climate change. These areas continue to be high priorities for the Portuguese government, which has publicly pledged to dramatically increase investment in the renewable energy sector. Areas of interest include incorporation of bioenergy LISBON 00000941 002 OF 002 into national and regional environmental and energy plans, water resources management, forest management and conservation, and soil erosion. Department of Energy (DoE) -------------- ¶6. Although Embassy Lisbon recognizes that the Department of Energy is not currently a participant in the Program, we are interested in the possibility of an exception, should we obtain approval of the Departments of Energy and State and be able to identify a willing participant from the Department of Energy. Long-term sustainable collaboration involving renewable energy is identified in our 2010 Mission Strategic Plan as the number one priority. Embassy Lisbon has reached out to numerous Portuguese experts in renewable energy, including wind, solar, wave, and microgeneration, and has identified significant ongoing research. We are also currently negotiating a bilateral agreement on renewable energy cooperation to be signed during Energy Secretary Bodman's May 2008 visit. An ESF from the Department of Energy could help launch our cooperation under this agreement. Administrative Issues -------------- ¶7. 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. The Embassy Science Fellows Program has strong Embassy support, and Embassy Lisbon will provide housing, office support, in-country travel arrangements, and other logistical support to Science Fellows. Embassy Fellows should expect to participate actively as a part of the Embassy team during their tenure in country. We will encourage all Fellows to consider travel to the Azores if relevant to their official agenda. Ballard