EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 (RUSSIA)

UNCLAS MOSCOW 000561

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES/STC - EILEEN KANE
ALSO FOR EUR/RUS, EUR/PRA, and OES/SAT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TSPL TBIO TNGD ENRG ECON AMGT APER EPA RS
SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 (RUSSIA)

REF: State 10843


1. (U) Subject of Proposal and General Information: Embassy EST
section greatly appreciates the opportunity to request a 2009
science follow, ideally from either NIST or NSF, specializing in the
field of nanotechnology who can work with the Russian government,
Russian scientists and educators, and the Russian Corporation for
Nanotechnologies (Rusnano) in advancing U.S. government priorities
for bilateral cooperation. We would prefer a three month
fellowship, from approximately September 1 through December 1, 2009.
This would coincide with the second annual International
Nanotechnology Forum scheduled for early October 2009 in Moscow,
which will be attended by a U.S. delegation of experts and is
expected to attract more than 3,000 scientists, investors and
officials worldwide. Secret level security clearance and medical
clearance are required. Russian language skills and experience
working with Russian scientists and government officials are
preferred, but not necessary.


2. Proposal Description: The science fellow would work primarily
with Rusnano and Russian scientists, diplomats, and educators to
help advance the U.S.-Russian bilateral cooperation in the area of
nanotechnology. He/she would focus on promoting cooperation in the
following six U.S. priority areas proposed for bilateral
cooperation:
-- (1) modeling and simulation of the properties of photonic and
electronic materials at the nano-scale;
-- (2) modeling and simulation of the properties of engineered
nano-scale materials in a biological environment, including
predictive toxicology;
-- (3) self assembly of nano-structured materials and devices; --
(4) instrumentation and techniques for characterizing
physicochemical properties of materials at the nano-scale, including
biological materials;
-- (5) instrumentation and methods for detecting and characterizing
engineered nano-scale materials in the body or the environment, and
protocols for evaluating their human health impacts and
environmental effects; and
-- (6) nano-materials for water purification and environmental
remediation.
The fellow would also facilitate greater Russian cooperation with
the OECD Working Party on Nanotechnology on policy development,
especially related to commercialization, and with the OECD's Working
Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials on testing high priority
nanotechnologies. Russia has indicated it plans to get involved in
testing. As time permits, the science fellow will assist in
promoting science cooperation as a whole, including public speaking.



3. Administrative Support: Post is committed to provide Embassy
housing. The actual unit will be determined by availability at the
time of the Fellow's arrival. It may be either on or off compound,
and most probably will be either a one-bedroom or two-bedroom
apartment. Post will also provide office support and in-country
travel arrangements.

4. RSO concurrence: RSO has approved this request.

5. Contact information: Embassy's primary point of contact is EST
Counselor Deborah Klepp (off: 7-495-728-5339/5324, fax:
7-495-728-5033). Back-up point of contact is EST Assistant Patricia
Kostelancik (off: 7-495-728-5000 x5616, fax: 7-495-728-5033).
BEYRLE