Research Technology Officer
About The Position
The Penn State National Security Institute (NSI) invites applications for a non-tenure-line research faculty position to serve in a senior technical leadership role with the working title Research Technology Officer (RTO). Appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Research Professor, Associate Research Professor, or Research Professor, depending on the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications. NSI advances interdisciplinary research, strategic partnerships, and mission-relevant innovation to address critical national security challenges. The Institute connects Penn State’s broad research capabilities with government, defense, homeland security, and industry needs, with an emphasis on technically excellent, translational, and deployable solutions. The RTO will help shape NSI’s technical strategy and research growth by identifying emerging opportunities, building interdisciplinary teams, leading large-proposal development, and strengthening external partnerships. This is a highly collaborative role for a candidate who can operate effectively at the intersection of research strategy, technical credibility, sponsor engagement, and institutional coordination.
Requirements
- Doctoral degree or equivalent terminal degree in engineering, science, technology, or a closely related field.
- Significant experience in technical leadership, research development, innovation strategy, or complex program development, including teams that involve federal agencies, academia, and industry.
- Demonstrated success working across disciplines and organizations to build strategic initiatives or externally funded efforts.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to engage effectively with academic researchers, institute leadership, and external sponsors or partners.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with DoD, DHS, DOE, NSF, intelligence-community-adjacent organizations, national laboratories, or related federal sponsors.
- Experience with large-scale proposal development, center formation, or research consortium building.
- Familiarity with technology transition, translational R&D, dual-use innovation, or mission-driven technical programs.
- Experience in university-based or university-connected research environments.
Responsibilities
- Identify and develop strategic technical opportunities aligned with NSI priorities and sponsor needs.
- Lead or co-lead development of large, complex, multi-investigator and multi-institution proposals.
- Convene Penn State faculty and external collaborators around high-value national security challenges.
- Help define technical road maps for major initiatives, centers, consortia, and partnerships.
- Build and maintain relationships with government agencies, industry partners, laboratories, and other external stakeholders.
- Advise institute leadership on technical positioning, investment priorities, and capability development.
- Support translation of research into mission-ready, dual-use, or operationally relevant applications.
- Contribute to institute programs that stimulate collaboration, seed new initiatives, and strengthen proposal competitiveness.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Robust retirement plans
- 75% tuition discount for employees, eligible spouses, and children
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
