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

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

10d

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin–Madison seeks an outstanding scientist to serve as a staff member for MATRIX-MIP (Materials AI and Transformation through Research Infrastructure for eXtreme environments) and the Hard Materials Lab (HML). MATRIX-MIP 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), launching alongside MATRIX-MIP. The successful candidate will provide integrated leadership for HML operations and the MATRIX-MIP user program, with primary responsibility for hiring and managing a team of six HML staff members and supporting the lab’s broader user community. During startup, the individual will help establish the facility through laboratory design, equipment evaluation and acquisition, and development of user training programs. Ongoing responsibilities include coordinating staff support for internal and external users, consulting with prospective users on project feasibility and available resources, and serving as the primary point of contact for resolving escalated user concerns. The individual will lead and promote the MATRIX-MIP user program and oversee its proposal submission and review process. In support of MATRIX-MIP’s NSF reporting and oversight activities, the individual will participate in meetings with NSF, coordinate the collection of user program and facility usage data, and contribute to progress reports. The position requires a collaborative leader with strong scientific expertise and excellent communication skills. This is an ongoing position. Successful applicants must ensure continuous eligibility to work in the United States on or before the effective date of appointment.

Requirements

At least five 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.
Strong scientific expertise and excellent communication skills.
Continuous eligibility to work in the United States on or before the effective date of appointment.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or another related discipline.
Experience with bulk synthesis and characterization of structural materials in extreme conditions, notably 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.

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 on project feasibility and available resources.
Serve as the primary point of 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 a range of knowledge and expertise.
Exercise supervisory authority over at least 2.0 FTE employees, including personnel decisions and approval of hours worked.