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