Operations Director

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Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Materials Research Institute at The Pennsylvania State University seeks outstanding applicants for an Operations Director to provide management and operational leadership for the Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium (2DCC) Materials Innovation Platform, a national user facility supported primarily by the National Science Foundation. This position will be filled at the Research Faculty position (Researcher, Assistant Research Professor, Associate Research Professor, or Research Professor).  

The 2DCC comprises three state-of-the-art user facilities: (1) Thin Films and In Situ Characterization; (2) Bulk Crystal Growth; and (3) Theory, Simulation and Data Science. These integrated facilities are focused on advancing the synthesis science of layered chalcogenide films and bulk crystals and related two-dimensional (2D) materials for next-generation nanoelectronic and quantum technologies. The 2DCC provides researchers from universities, federal laboratories, and industry with specialized equipment, expertise, data resources, and collaborative support to discover and develop advanced materials and help maintain U.S. leadership in electronic materials, devices, and component technologies. 

The Operations Director will work closely with the Platform Director, Associate Director, and Executive Leadership Team to provide day-to-day management of Platform activities. The position has broad responsibility for budget oversight, user-program administration, personnel supervision, data and reporting systems, communications and marketing, education and outreach, assessment, and facilities coordination. The Operations Director will also help expand the Platform’s research and user communities by coordinating targeted funding opportunities and supporting external-user identification, engagement, and scientific and technical success. 

Key Responsibilities 

Leadership and General Management 

• Provide day-to-day operational and administrative leadership across the 2DCC and coordinate activities among its user facilities. 

• Organize regular meetings of the Executive Leadership Team and External Advisory Board; prepare information and follow through on decisions and action items. 

• Provide data, analysis, and recommendations to support strategic planning and decision-making by the Platform Director and leadership team. 

• Serve as a 2DCC representative at appropriate institute, and University-wide meetings. 

• Manage projects and other initiatives assigned by the Platform Director and leadership team. 

User Programs and Training 

• Coordinate with the Director of User Engagement and Training to provide a high level of customer service and sufficient technical understanding to assist faculty and external users, identify areas for improvement, recommend solutions, and coordinate specialized scientific support as needed. 

• Support effective interactions with an interdisciplinary community of researchers from universities, federal laboratories, and industry. 

• Coordinate user-facility management activities, including review and updating of user fees, analytical costs, and related procedures. 

Personnel Management 

• Supervise assigned administrative and technical staff and coordinate their work in support of Platform objectives. 

• Assist the Platform Director and leadership team in recruitment, hiring and onboarding of facility staff.  

• Assist the Platform Director in developing staffing plans and recommendations for staff and research-level advancement. 

Budget, Administration, and Reporting 

• Manage core facility accounts and sponsored research budgets, prepare financial analyses, and coordinate and implement financial strategies that support strategic priorities and cost-effective facility operations. 

• Review and approve 2DCC purchasing in coordination with the 2DCC admin support coordinator. 

• Support government grant and contract administration, including post-award management, compliance, documentation, and coordination with appropriate University offices. 

• Coordinate collection, management, and analysis of operational, user, financial, and assessment data. 

• Lead or assist with agency and internal reporting, including quarterly reporting, annual reports, site visits and reviews, presentations, and other sponsor requirements. 

• Use relevant facilities and administrative systems to generate reports, analyze performance, track space use as appropriate, and make evidence-based recommendations. 

Communications, Marketing, and Outreach 

• Identify potential external users and partners and maintain organized information to support sustained engagement. 

• Develop a working knowledge of 2DCC capabilities and relevant Penn State faculty expertise to connect external users with the resources needed for successful projects. 

• Communicate Platform opportunities, activities, research successes, and educational programs to current and prospective users and other stakeholders. 

• Assist Director of User Training and Engagement to organize and coordinate relevant conferences, workshops, seminars, user meetings, training events, and other education and outreach activities. 

Facilities, Infrastructure, and Safety 

• Coordinate with Materials Research Institute leadership and facility directors on building activities, space needs, equipment and infrastructure issues, and operational continuity. 

• Maintain awareness of and help ensure compliance with applicable University, government, sponsor, safety, and regulatory requirements. 

• Represent the 2DCC on the Materials Research Institute safety committee and work with safety personnel to communicate and implement safety policies and initiatives. 

• Coordinate operational decisions and tracking related to hazardous-material and hazardous-waste management, storage, and disposal, and support corrective and preventive actions. 

Required Qualifications 

• An advanced degree in physics, materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, or a related science or engineering field. A Ph.D. is preferred; highly qualified candidates with an M.S. degree will also be considered. 

• At least five years of relevant experience, including a strong record of project, program, research center, and/or facility management. 

• Demonstrated experience managing personnel and coordinating a project team. 

• Excellent organizational, time-management, written communication, oral communication, and interpersonal skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with interdisciplinary technical teams, and institutional leaders.  

• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities with sound judgment, attention to detail, accountability, and a strong service orientation. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Hands-on technical experience or strong technical familiarity with thin-film deposition, bulk crystal growth, semiconductor processing, materials characterization, theory and simulation, data science, or a closely related field. 

• Experience with government grant or contract solicitation, proposal development, post-award management, sponsor reporting, and site reviews. 

• Experience managing budgets, user programs, research facilities, safety and regulatory requirements, or scientific data and assessment systems. 

• Experience developing external partnerships, user communities, scientific communications, workshops, conferences, education programs, or outreach activities. 

Application Information 

The position is fully in office, and no hybrid option is offered. Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae or résumé; a cover letter summarizing relevant skills and experience; and contact information for three professional references, including name, position title, mailing address, telephone number, and email address. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. This is a fixed-term appointment with an excellent possibility of renewal, contingent upon continued funding. 

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

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