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The office of Economic Development & Community Engagement at Pittsburg State University is searching for an Executive Director for Translation and Research Operations.  The primary function of the Executive Director for Translation and Research Operations is to play a major role in advancing the missions of the Economic Development and Community Engagement division by leading and driving the division’s vision of industry engagement and translation, supporting research activities, helping workforce development in emerging technological areas, grant writing and compliance, and working with funding agencies and communities. The Executive Director for Translation and Research Operations will support the Associate Vice President of Research and Support in establishing a new relationship with colleges, universities, and industries. The Executive Director for Translation and Research Operations will have the opportunity to work with the Vice President of Economic Development and Community Engagement and the Associate Vice Presidents to shave the organization’s strategic directions to drive research and industry engagement initiatives.   

Duties and Responsibilities

50% - Emerging Technologies Management and Collaboration  

• Develop and implement plans to grow the institute for emerging technologies, prepare competitive proposals for the expansion of research and support activities.
• Build partnerships for expansion of the institute for emerging technologies and other divisions.
• Provide solicitation review and proposal development assistance through technical and compliance reviews,
• Work with different divisions to help to prepare pre- and post-award documents,
• Help to promote establishing the physical and analytical testing laboratories as a revenue-generating center. 
• Promote to the industry, acquiring appropriate certification, staffing, establishing/maintaining pricing structures, and retaining records. 
• Coordinate and collaborate with external constituents in the practice of technology development for licensing and commercialization in consultation with the supervisor. 
• Search literature and plan new fundable research based on division/university objectives. 

40% - Grant/Funding Proposal Management

• Prepare documents for bidding and acquiring new analytical instruments for the division. 
• In consultation with the AVP, facilitate and manage the advancement of technology development for licensing and commercialization. 
• Support division efforts for commercialization and work with the unit to develop a plan for the technology transfer process. 
• Participate and support activities going on in Pittsburg State University Research Foundation (PSURF).
• Mentor students and researchers for grant writing. 
• Write reports for presentations and share with the scientific community where appropriate. 
• Communicate research to internal and external constituents through oral and written publications, presentations, patents, and other communications. 
• Continue to communicate with the scientific communities and current and potential industrial partners as needed.
• Prepare written internal and external reports and presentations of technical results to internal and external constituents. 
• Assist AVP and Executive Directors in providing supervision of one or more technicians, undergraduate and graduate students, and other researchers working in the division.

10% - Other duties (such as managing booths at conferences and trade shows, participating in recruitment events, serving on committees, etc.) as assigned. 

Education and Experience

Required Education and Experience at Hire - 

• A Ph.D. in literature, science, engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution
• Experience in developing new programs and managing labs.
• Experience in managing contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and sub-agreements.
• Experience in creating a new business plan, implementing strategic vision.   

Preferred Education and Experience - 

• Experience in conducting searches for funding. 
• Experience in an industry management position 
• Supervisory experience

Screening Services (Background Checks):  Your employment with Pittsburg State University is contingent on a satisfactory criminal background check and sex offender check.

Job Type:  Unclassified

Appointment Duration:  12 months

Work Schedule:  Full Time – Monday through Friday, Nights and Weekends as needed.

Application Documents Required*: 

- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Names and Contact Details for Three (3) Professional References 

*Consolidate documents into a maximum of 2 to upload. 

Open until Filled with a first review date of October 18, 2023. 

Search Committee Chair: Wes Streeter (wstreeter@pittstate.edu) 

PSU will only accept applications submitted through this process.

Pittsburg State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.