User Facilities Director for MATRIX-MIP and Facility Manager for Hard Materials Lab (HML)

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin–Madison seeks a scientist to provide integrated leadership for Hard Materials Lab (HML) operations and the MATRIX-MIP user program. MATRIX-MIP (Materials AI and Transformation through Research Infrastructure for eXtreme environments) is a newly established NSF research center focused on developing structural materials for extreme environments. The center will be housed in HML, a new core facility of the Wisconsin Centers for Nanoscale Technology (WCNT). The position will lead HML operations, including hiring and managing a team of six staff members, and support the lab’s user community. During the startup phase, the role will help establish the facility through laboratory design, equipment evaluation and acquisition, and development of user training programs. Ongoing work includes coordinating staff support for internal and external users, advising prospective users on project feasibility and available resources, and resolving escalated user concerns. The role will lead and promote the MATRIX-MIP user program and oversee proposal submission and review. It will also participate in NSF meetings, coordinate collection of user-program and facility-usage data, and contribute to progress reports. This position calls for a collaborative leader with strong scientific expertise and excellent communication skills.

Requirements

At least 5 years of lab experience focused on bulk synthesis and characterization of structural materials.
Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or another related discipline.

Nice To Haves

Experience in bulk synthesis and characterization of structural materials in extreme conditions, particularly high-temperature structural environments.
One year of personnel management experience.
Experience in metallic and/or ceramic additive manufacturing.
Experience in primary processing of materials and scale-up.
Experience with lab design, including space needs, facilities planning, and safety considerations.
Experience in user training and development of instructional materials.
Experience with instrument maintenance and repair.
Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or another related discipline.

Responsibilities

Provide integrated leadership for HML operations and the MATRIX-MIP user program.
Hire and manage a team of six HML staff members and support the lab’s broader user community.
Help establish the facility through laboratory design, equipment evaluation and acquisition, and development of user training programs.
Coordinate staff support for internal and external users.
Consult with prospective users about project feasibility and available resources.
Serve as the primary contact for resolving escalated user concerns.
Lead and promote the MATRIX-MIP user program and oversee its proposal submission and review process.
Participate in meetings with NSF, coordinate collection of user-program and facility-usage data, and contribute to progress reports.
Serve as a consultant to project directors and provide technical expertise to research and operational personnel.
Determine unit personnel needs and the unit personnel resource allocation plan.
Assist with planning, implementation, and management of strategic initiatives for a center or program with institutional recognition.
Manage large research projects for the institution.
Serve as a unit liaison to internal stakeholder groups to foster cross-unit partnership efforts regarding research programs and activities.
Collaborate with project directors and clients with varying knowledge and expertise.
Exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE employees.