Job Summary:
The Planner, Research and Lab Facilities provides specialized
planning expertise for the programming, space allocation, and
physical development of research, laboratory, and instructional
space across RPI facilities. Reporting to the Associate Director of
Campus Planning, this position works closely with faculty,
researchers, department administrators, Environmental Health &
Safety, and project delivery teams to translate research and
academic program needs into functional, adaptable, code-compliant
laboratory and research environments. The position supports
evidence-based planning through space programming, utilization
analysis, and technical planning for capital projects, strategic
initiatives, and day-to-day space allocation decisions.
Who we are:
Founded in 1824,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is
the first technological research university in the United States.
We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address
society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional
problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry,
disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan,
RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era
of RPI.
Explore the RPI Forward plan. ︎
Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home
to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an
observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM
Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in
the world.
With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer
offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program,
tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Planning, Engineering, or a
related field.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible
experience in space planning, facility programming, campus
planning, or related planning work involving research, laboratory,
healthcare, academic, or other technically complex facilities.
Experience utilizing space management systems, reporting tools,
and space utilization data to support planning and
decision-making.
Working knowledge of laboratory planning principles and
building and life safety codes as they apply to research
space.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including
experience presenting planning recommendations to diverse
stakeholders.
Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be
considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Architecture, Planning, Engineering, or a
related field.
- Experience in a higher education, research institution, or
similarly complex campus environment.
- Experience participating in the planning, design, renovation,
or construction of laboratory, research, healthcare, or other
technically complex facilities.
- Familiarity with higher education capital planning, space
governance, and decision-making processes.
- Professional affiliation or certification related to planning,
facilities, architecture, or campus planning (e.g., SCUP, AIA,
AICP, IFMA, APPA).
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of laboratory and research facility planning,
programming, and design standards.
- Understanding of laboratory planning principles, research space
typologies, and associated building infrastructure requirements
(e.g., HVAC, exhaust, specialized utilities).
- Ability to translate stakeholder requirements into planning
solutions.
- Ability to balance competing stakeholder priorities while
developing planning recommendations aligned with institutional
objectives.
- Familiarity with codes and standards affecting laboratory
design, including life safety and applicable research safety
requirements.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to develop data-driven
planning recommendations.
- Proficiency with space planning and space management software;
working knowledge of CAD/BIM tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit).
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the
ability to build relationships with faculty, researchers, and
technical staff.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple
planning initiatives simultaneously.
Representative Job Duties:
Space Programming & Planning
- Lead space programming and needs assessments for research,
laboratory, and instructional space, translating faculty and
departmental research goals into functional space programs.
- Facilitate programming sessions and workshops with faculty,
researchers, and technical staff to define space, adjacency, and
workflow requirements for new or renovated research space.
- Conduct laboratory utilization assessments, identify
opportunities for shared-use environments, and recommend strategies
to improve space efficiency.
- Participate in feasibility studies and early-phase planning
efforts to define project scope and space requirements.
- Support short-, mid-, and long-range campus planning efforts,
including alignment with RPI Forward and the campus master plan,
for research and laboratory space needs.
Project & Stakeholder Support
- Partner with project managers, engineers, and design
consultants to ensure laboratory and research space programs are
accurately translated into project scopes and design
solutions.
- Provide technical review at key design milestones to confirm
that evolving research needs remain reflected in the space
program.
- Serve as a technical resource on laboratory planning, including
wet labs, dry labs, shared instrumentation, core facilities, and
support spaces.
- Coordinate with Environmental Health & Safety to ensure
laboratory space programs align with applicable codes and safety
standards.
Space Governance & Data Management
- Maintain accurate space inventory and utilization data for
research and laboratory space Institute-wide.
- Develop and maintain laboratory planning standards, guidelines,
and space utilization benchmarks for the Institute.
- Prepare space allocation and space-function change
documentation to support the Institute's space governance review
process.
- Develop dashboards and reporting tools to support
evidence-based planning, utilization monitoring, and capital
investment decisions.
Strategic & Institutional Alignment
- Provide laboratory planning expertise to inform institutional
planning initiatives, capital project prioritization, and
long-range facilities planning.
- Monitor emerging trends in laboratory and research facility
planning to drive continuous improvement of Institute planning
standards and practices.
Shift:
Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally
required
Travel:
Local travel between campus locations only
Driving:
Driving a personal vehicle for non-passenger use
Starting Salary/Rate:
Expected hiring range: $90,000 - $110,000
Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary
will be determined based on factors that include the available
budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications,
experience, education and other job-related credentials. This
hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the
expected hiring range at the time of posting.
Application instructions:
Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile.
Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.
If you need assistance with the online application process, please
contact
careers@rpi.edu.
Job Posted Date:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Total Compensation and Benefits Information:
Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide
stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package,
and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription
plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a
comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of
financial security and protection during your employment. For more
information, please visit
Benefits | Human Resources
(rpi.edu) .
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is committed to the
cultivation of a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and above
all values learning. We welcome candidates who bring a variety of
perspectives to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's work and campus
communities. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Equal
Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status,
protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by
law.
