Managing Director, Artificial Intelligence-driven RNA Foundry (AIRFoundry) - Penn Engineering (upenn)

Job Description

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Managing Director, Artificial Intelligence-driven RNA Foundry (AIRFoundry) - Penn Engineering

Job Profile Title

Director C, Research

Job Description Summary

The newly funded Artificial Intelligence-driven RNA Foundry (AIRFoundry) seeks a dynamic and experienced Managing Director (MD) to oversee all aspects of the AIRFoundry's operations, including facilitation of strategic planning, project management, resource allocation, and member and stakeholder engagement. The MD will work closely with faculty leadership and university offices to design and establish the user facility and lab space, develop a strategic plan that outlines key goals and metrics, and create new programs and practices for data reporting, education, outreach, and management.

The Managing Director will work closely with the faculty leadership team at Penn and partner institutions to support research endeavors and manage day-to-day operations and have oversight of the development and implementation of educational outreach programs to support STEM and AIRFoundry initiatives in collaboration with the Associate Director of Education and the Education and Diversity Coordinator. Additionally, the MD will manage staff working on such programs. Track efforts and prepare presentations, analytics, trending statistics and center usage metrics for progress reports. Increase interactions between the academic community, local community, and industry to reinforce program values, extend relationships and promote AIRFoundry efforts. Develop workshops and seminars to encourage interest in AIRFoundry research topics. Oversee other programs beyond education, which will include recruitment, retention, and knowledge transfer, in collaboration with center faculty and university partners; communication with partner institutions; and scheduling of research group meetings.

JOB IS FROM: italents.netVIEW

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• AIRFoundry set up. Work with leadership and UCity engineers to ensure that lab space is built with necessary research and education capabilities; assist in procuring equipment for research and education programs; develop and implement education programs in collaboration with Associate Director of Education and Education and Diversity Coordinator, including REU, Graduate Boot Camp, RNA Day, and Women in STEM Day; Facilitate team strategic planning meetings and contribute to strategic plan in education and diversity. Assist in hiring and onboarding for user facility coordinator and any additional staff. Develop a CRM system for members, users, and other stakeholders and oversee website development.

• Research, academic, and education/outreach administration. Oversee all center activities, which include providing leadership, direction and support to center staff, graduate students, and visiting undergraduates and K-12 students or teachers; managing program budgets and control of expenditure in collaboration with grants manager; and managing day-to-day center communications between partners, users, and other constituents. Produce a regular newsletter (email) and marketing materials, and update website content, as necessary, working with website developers.

• Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting. Collect data and metrics from members and users; monitor metrics and benchmark performance mission and vision, outlined in strategic plan. Develop progress reports and annual reports for funding agencies and advisory boards, ensuring accuracy of data and meeting NSF requirements.

• External relations and recruitment. Identify and develop working relationships with center and community partners. Develop and implement goals and strategies to recruit and support a diverse array of users, including students, particularly those traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines or from fields that have traditionally limited utilization of RNA technology. Represent the AIRFoundry at conferences, workshops and public forums, and communicate the AIRFoundry’s achievements and impact to diverse audiences.

• Event coordination. Organize and oversee the AIRFoundry’s annual meetings, external advisory meetings, monthly progress meetings, and seminar series.

• Member support. Provide administrative support for seed grant program and other funding opportunities that may arise for internal and external trainees, faculty, and industry researchers. Facilitate personnel exchanges between partner institutions.

Qualifications

Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) and 3 – 5 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven track record of successful leadership and management in a research or academic setting. Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Pay Range

$74,476.00 - $125,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. 

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay