Deputy Director of Research Project Management

UNC-Chapel Hill • Chapel Hill, NC

18d

About The Position

The Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels ( CHASE , http://chaseliquidfuels.org/), is seeking a Ph.D. chemist for a Deputy Director of Research Project Management position. CHASE is a multi-million-dollar Energy Innovation Hub funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, and headquartered at UNC Chapel Hill with research partners at Yale University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, the University of Pennsylvania, North Carolina State University, and Princeton University. This position will be part of the four-person Directorate and manage research collaborations in the field of solar fuels research, make decisions on research project direction, organization, and structure for CHASE , communicate CHASE scientific accomplishments to stakeholders in academia, government and industry, and manage transformative research initiatives for the Hub. This opportunity requires proven experience in organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; leadership; and independent decision making. This position will report to the Director of CHASE , and will function with substantial independence and requires scientific expertise and the ability to develop and manage new research collaborations and projects. Extensive interaction with the 100+ researchers across the Center is expected. The Deputy Director of Research Project Management will be responsible for coordinating and tracking the research project portfolio of CHASE research to enable collaborations, initiate new partnerships, and communicate research accomplishments. This position will manage CHASE scientific and technical communications, and apply their scientific expertise to write technical content and communicate CHASE scientific research advances to technical and non-technical audiences including sponsors, policymakers, academic leaders, and the public through a range of electronic, print and web media formats. Along with the CHASE Deputy Director of Operations Management, this position will engage and coordinate with other energy research centers across the globe in order to establish and maintain CHASE’s status as an international leader in liquid solar fuels. This position will be partially supported by a research program administrative coordinator, who they will work closely with to maintain robust and accurate technical databases on CHASE research progress. This position will facilitate intellectual property protection for CHASE researchers by interfacing with technology transfer offices at UNC and our partner institutions when commercialization opportunities and partnerships are appropriate.

Requirements

• A minimum of three years of research experience in physical or inorganic chemistry, or a closely related field and a minimum of three years of experience in managing a major Center or project.
• Candidate must have superior oral and written communication skills, with the ability to edit and compile materials from multiple sources and tailor information to various purposes required.
• Strong computer and graphic design proficiency (Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Suite) required.
• Work history should demonstrate a strong chemistry background in fields relevant to energy research, and experience in scientific writing, including significant contributions to research papers, research proposals, and/or post-award reports.
• Multi-tasking, organizational, interpersonal and project management skills are essential.
• Candidate must be enthusiastic, conscientious, and show demonstrate eagerness to work as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively in a fast-paced environment subject to frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Relevant doctoral degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity or professional-level background in sponsored research administration, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 5 or more years of relevant experience in substitution.
• Experience in electrochemistry, photochemistry and/or catalysis.
• Familiarity with issues in renewable energy and solar energy conversion.
• Knowledge of and experience in university business practices and systems.
• Experience with intellectual property, outreach, development, conference planning would be of benefit.

Responsibilities

• Manage research collaborations in the field of solar fuels research
• Make decisions on research project direction, organization, and structure for CHASE
• Communicate CHASE scientific accomplishments to stakeholders in academia, government and industry
• Manage transformative research initiatives for the Hub
• Coordinating and tracking the research project portfolio of CHASE research to enable collaborations, initiate new partnerships, and communicate research accomplishments
• Manage CHASE scientific and technical communications, and apply their scientific expertise to write technical content and communicate CHASE scientific research advances to technical and non-technical audiences including sponsors, policymakers, academic leaders, and the public through a range of electronic, print and web media formats
• Engage and coordinate with other energy research centers across the globe in order to establish and maintain CHASE’s status as an international leader in liquid solar fuels
• Facilitate intellectual property protection for CHASE researchers by interfacing with technology transfer offices at UNC and our partner institutions when commercialization opportunities and partnerships are appropriate

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree