User Facilities Director for MATRIX-MIP and Facility Manager for Hard Materials Lab (HML)

JR10015893 On Site Madison, Wisconsin Research Closing at: Nov 6 2026 - 11:00pm CST Job Category: Academic Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Research Program Associate Director (Inst) Job Summary: The University of Wisconsin – Madison seeks an outstanding scientist to serve as a staff member for MATRIX_MIP (Materials AI and Transformation through Research Infrastructure for eXtreme environments) and the Hard Materials Lab (HML). MATRIX-MIP is a newly established NSF research center focused on developing structural materials for extreme environments. The center will be housed in HML, a new core facility of the Wisconsin Centers for Nanoscale Technology (WCNT), launching alongside MATRIX-MIP. The successful candidate will provide integrated leadership for HML operations and the MATRIX-MIP user program, with primary responsibilities for hiring and managing a team of six HML staff members and supporting the lab’s broader user community. During the startup phase, the individual will help establish the facility through laboratory design, equipment evaluation and acquisition, and development of user training programs. Ongoing responsibilities will include coordinating staff support for internal and external users, consulting with prospective users on project feasibility and available resources, and serving as the primary point of contact for resolving escalated user concerns. The individual will also lead and promote the MATRIX-MIP user program and oversee its proposal submission and review process. In support of MATRIX-MIP’s NSF reporting and oversight activities, the individual will participate in meetings with NSF, coordinate the collection of user program and facility usage data, and contribute to progress reports. This position requires a collaborative leader with strong scientific expertise and excellent communication skills. This vacancy is being announced simultaneously with JR#10015627; please note that only one vacancy exists. Having two job postings allows the College of Engineering to consider candidates with both oversight and strategic planning for a center and conceptualizing, designs, instrumentation systems used in scientific research. Key Job Responsibilities: Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees Collaborates with project directors and the full range of clients whose knowledge and expertise varies Serves as a unit liaison to internal stakeholder groups to foster cross-unit partnership efforts regarding research programs and activities Manages large research projects for the institution Assists with planning, implementation, and management of strategic initiatives for a center or program that has institutional recognition Determines unit personnel needs and the unit personnel resource allocation plan Serves as a consultant to project directors and provides technical expertise to research and operational personnel Department: College of Engineering, Wisconsin Centers for Nanoscale Technology (WCNT) Compensation: The starting salary for the position is $120,000 (but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications). Required Qualifications: A minimum of 5 years of lab experience focused on bulk synthesis and characterization of structural materials Preferred Qualifications: Experience on bulk synthesis and characterization of structural materials in extreme conditions, notably high temperature structural environments One year of personnel management experience Experience in metallic and/or ceramic additive manufacturing Experience in primary processing of materials and scale-up Experience with lab design, including space needs, facilities planning, and safety considerations Experience in user training and the development of instructional materials Experience with instrument …

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