Research Program Associate Director

Universities of Wisconsin • Superior, WI

8d • $82,000 - $88,000

About The Position

The Research Program Associate Director assists with the oversight and strategic planning for a center or program and may assist with directing a variety of research activities. Allocates resources, secures funding, and supervises staff to ensure program strategies and activities align with the institutional mission. Specifically, the person in this position will be part of the Lake Superior Research Institute (LSRI) team and is responsible for obtaining grants, contracts, and other sources of extramural funds that capitalize on current research staff expertise and existing laboratory infrastructure to support both existing projects or programs or new offshoot projects or programs within LSRI’s core research. In addition, the Associate Director will develop the internal capacity for acquiring research funding by helping, training, and supporting LSRI staff on grant and project development and management. A successful candidate possesses a combination of strong scientific background, research experience, and leadership skills. Essential qualifications include a relevant advanced degree, experience in acquiring funding, research program management and development, and proven ability to manage teams and projects. Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills are also crucial.

Requirements

• Minimum of Master of Science degree in a natural resource (e.g. aquatic ecology, limnology, environmental toxicology, environmental science) or similarly related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience with a proven track record of securing funding from extramural sources leading to support a research team.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading multi-disciplinary research staff.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated success managing extramural funds and budgets, within the natural resources or water resources area.
• Valid driver's license.
• This position is currently ineligible for H1-B sponsorship.
• A qualification for this position includes independent eligibility to work within the United States upon hire date.
• Skilled in securing funding from various sources, including federal, state, and tribal agencies, private businesses and foundations.
• Proven record of research accomplishments, including publications in peer-reviewed journals and successful grant writing.
• Ability to communicate ideas effectively verbally, in writing, and using technology.
• Skilled in effectively developing and maintaining professional relationships and networks at local, state, federal, and tribal levels.
• Ability to manage research projects, including budget management and reporting.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans for research programs and associated outreach.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a highly dynamic environment.
• Ability to effectively manage time, resources, and information to achieve goals.
• Maintains knowledge of significant developments in scientific fields relevant to the research mission of the LSRI and UWS.
• Ability to work in an extramural funded organization as part of a small campus.
• Willingness to serve the mission of UWS and LSRI by being a representative at activities such as Lake Superior Day, St. Louis River Summit, or Campus Preview Days.
• Ability to drive a vehicle for the purpose of conducting university business and meet the criteria for operation of state-owned-vehicles – Policy 615.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in a natural resource (e.g. aquatic ecology, limnology, environmental toxicology, environmental science) or similarly related field.
• Familiar with Laurentian Great Lakes environmental challenges and research.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a consultant to project directors and provides technical expertise to research and operational personnel.
• Exercises 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 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
• Manages large research projects for a center or program.
• Determines unit personnel needs and the unit personnel resource allocation plan.
• Collaborates with project directors and the full range of clients whose knowledge and expertise varies.
• Serves as a unit liaison to internal stakeholder groups to foster cross-unit partnership efforts regarding research programs and activities.
• Assists with planning, implementation, and management of strategic initiatives for a center or program.
• Complete required trainings and professional development as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• generous paid time off
• competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance
• tax-advantaged savings accounts
• participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees