Purdue's Buckius taking post at NSF

Richard Buckius  Download Photo

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Richard Buckius will transition his responsibilities from Purdue University's vice president for research on June 1 and return to his faculty position in Purdue's School of Mechanical Engineering. On assignment under the intergovernmental personnel act, Buckius will serve as senior science advisor in the Office of the Director at the National Science Foundation (NSF).

His responsibilities will include providing the NSF's director and deputy director with broad policy-level advice on matters of strategic significance to the foundation and assisting in the development and coordination of special studies and reports.

"It has been a privilege to work with Purdue's outstanding scholars and with a terrific group of dedicated staff," Buckius said. "This is an exciting time for Purdue as opportunities continue to expand in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary research opportunities. I look forward to assisting in advancing the nation's research agenda in this new capacity."

Buckius became vice president for research in May 2008 after having served as assistant director of the NSF's Directorate of Engineering since 2005 and previously as director of the agency's Division of Chemical and Transport Systems. He was head of the University of Illinois' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from 1998-2004, the Richard W. Kritzer Professor from 1992-1997 and associate vice chancellor for research from 1988-1991.

His research contributions include his work to advance the fundamental knowledge in thermal sciences, specifically in the areas of radiation heat transfer, convective transport and combustion.