"Assistant Director for the UCI Center on Complex and Active Materials, Irvine Materials Research Institute"

Position Description

The University of California, Irvine is currently accepting applications for an assistant director position to assist the management and operation of the Center for Complex and Active Materials (CCAM), a Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) funded by the National Science Foundation. The UCI MRSEC builds on UCI's strengths in multidisciplinary science and engineering research, experiential learning, world-class facilities, and commitment to diversity. The Center aims to (1) create complex hard materials with the ability to withstand extreme environments for applications in national defense, and (2) design dynamically responsive soft materials that may mimic real biological processes and serve as an interface with living systems for healthcare applications. The Center attracts diverse junior researchers from across the nation and trains future leaders at all academic and professional levels to address critical materials and societal challenges. The Center's integrated activities - novel materials research, partnerships with industry and national laboratories, entrepreneurial innovation, career development, and mentorship - are enabling a transformative long-term impact on fundamental science, advanced applications, and workforce development. For details about the UCI MRSEC, see www.ccam.uci.edu.

The Assistant Director will perform professional and administrative duties to support the day-to-day operation of the UCI MRSEC; assist in planning and implementing activities for research, education, outreach, and collaborations with national labs and industries; track the progress of research and education activities toward the Center's goals, assist in communication of research highlights, organize and prepare the annual progress report for NSF; interpret, monitor and analyze information regarding operating policies and procedures; process expenditures and monitor budgets; coordinate academic and/or staff personnel matters; and oversee routine activities and resolve problems of the Center. The job responsibilities also include prioritizing, efficiently processing, and tracking administrative issues to ensure all deadlines are met and tasks are appropriately completed.

The successful applicant must hold a PhD or equivalent degree in materials science and engineering, physics, or chemistry with a few years of materials research experience afterwards. Excellent communication and scientific writing skills are required. Candidates with research experience in areas of synthesis, characterization, or modeling of complex structural materials or supramolecular materials are preferred.