Research Project Manager

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The School of Science, Engineering, and Technology (SSET) is recruiting a full-time Engineering Research Manager to support the growth of engineering enrollment and research activities. The individual hired for this position will report to SSET Director or designee; support faculty and staff, particularly in our three engineering departments in their research endeavors including assisting in planning and implementation of research projects; ensure the safe operation and maintenance of specialized equipment and facilities for research at both the graduate and undergraduate levels; and provide training to students performing approved research in the laboratories.

SSET has experienced significant growth in our engineering programs with the launch of a new Ph.D. program in Engineering Systems and the need to support our growing research. Additionally, SSET anticipates increased graduate student enrollment. With ongoing acquisition of new research equipment in the Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical engineering laboratories, the increasing number of sophisticated senior capstone projects, as well as more complex undergraduate and graduate student research projects, this position will play a critical role in addressing SSET's needs.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Advise and assist faculty and students with planning experiments to answer specific research questions.
• Assist faculty in the development of research proposals, including the evaluation of new equipment and facilities' needs.
• Design project workflow processes and work with faculty and students to review and update standard operating procedures for the research equipment.
• Provide technical assistance and training to students, researchers, and faculty using engineering laboratory facilities with a focus on relevant University, federal and state regulations and changes.
• Perform routine and minor maintenance on laboratory equipment, minor repairs, and calibration as required as well as ensuring safe laboratory operations.
• Support individual-area laboratory supervisors as needed.
• May be involved in presenting the labs and research results to sponsors and other visitors. May represent the research team at conferences.

Desired experience and skills:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering laboratory operations.
• Experience and/or familiarity with experimental R&D environments in engineering.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, exercising strong organizational skills with an exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrable skills in some of the following: laboratory instrumentation, advanced 3D printers, automation systems, data-acquisition systems, software packages such as MATLAB, LabView, and CAD software.
• Experience and training in promoting a safety culture.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a relevant engineering field within SSET and at least one year of laboratory or related experience; OR an equivalent combination of experience and education that allows achievement of comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: