"Research Project Manager"

Position Summary

Rutgers University-Newark (RU-N), an urban public research university and anchor institution, located in Newark, New Jersey, a city of promise, is seeking a Research Project Manager (Director, Materials Research Instrumentation) in the Department of Chemistry. Reporting to the Department Chair, and working with an Oversight Committee, this position supervises and maintains single crystal x-ray diffraction and materials research facilities and instrumentation in the Departments of Chemistry and Earth and Environmental Sciences (Departments), including, but not limited to, Single Crystal X-Ray Diffractometer (SCXRD), Powder X-Ray Diffractometer (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), instrumentation of the Polymer and Nanomaterials Characterization Facility (poluRUN), currently compromising a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA), Rheometer, and Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA), such as X-ray absorption and X-ray fluorescence instruments, and other instruments used for research and in graduate and undergraduate classes.

• This position is responsible for and not limited to the following.
• Providing technical services and assisting researchers with highly specialized, complex scientific equipment and instrumentation.
• Supporting research and providing oversight and quality control.
• Training students, postdoctoral personnel, and other research participants in the use of laboratory instruments.
• Assisting Principal Investigators (PIs) and students with setting up advanced experiments.
• Planning and acquiring data for advanced experiments.
• Obtaining data in conjunction with undergraduate laboratory courses.
• Ensuring that instruments are functioning effectively and proposing and implementing solutions for maintenance and repair, establishing and maintaining data backup solutions, and remote data access.
• Contributing to grant proposals for new instrumentation.
• Setting up new equipment, developing relevant protocols, and overseeing and enforcing safety and cleanliness for the facilities.
• Maintaining equipment and primary contact with vendors and the University for all equipment issues.
• Performing research measurements for collaborators and guest users and
• Maintaining appropriate records and logbooks.
• Coordinating with relevant Department staff for invoicing supplies, equipment, and user fees.
• Serving as liaison to Departments and Facilities on facility and equipment issues.
• Maintaining currency in technical development and relevant scientific literature.
• Participating in manufacturer workshops and webinars.
• Planning and establishing goals and objectives, strategic measures, developing and interpreting policies and procedures for the purpose of effectively and efficiently managing equipment and resources.
• Completing work independently with broadly defined work objectives and limited review of overall results.
• Performing professional work that requires specialized knowledge of scientific areas and equipment supported and a solid understanding, use, and application of concepts, theories, principles, terminology, and applied bases in these areas.
• Work is performed in a manner that furthers the mission of the Oversight Committee, Departments, SASN, and RU-N, and contributes to research productivity and strategic goals.

Minimum Education and Experience

Requires a bachelor's degree in a related scientific field or discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and understanding of general research principles and practices. Also requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional research experience, excellent communication skills, and computer literacy.

Equipment Utilized

Position regularly uses X-Ray Diffraction (XRD); Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM); Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC); Thermogravimetric Analyzed (TGA); Rheometer; Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA), and all software, systems, and equipment necessary to provide effective and efficient management of laboratories and equipment; MS Office suite, Cornerstone, SyQuest, and any and all systems the University uses for budget, procurement, safety, inventory, reporting, safety, training, Protection of Minors, accident reporting, payroll, facilities and space, and the equipment, software, and specialized materials needed to support the effective and efficient performance of this position.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Multiple‐laboratory environment. Exposure to common hazards from chemicals in use in laboratories. Relevant safety training and procedures are mandatory. Must be able to lift and move up to 30 pounds.