CNRE Innovation and Grant Coordinator

Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open to the Public

Employment Status: Full-Time, Temporary

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0058/8

Salary Range: $60,292.56 - $64,437.08

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES SPECIFIC TO THE GRANT

The successful candidate will support the federally funded Center for Nanotechnology Research and Education (CNRE) and will work primarily from the CNRE research facilities. The position will coordinate research-related grant activities with a particular emphasis on innovation development, prototyping, intellectual property advancement, technology translation, commercialization, industry engagement, and development of follow-on funding opportunities. The Grant Coordinator will work closely with the CNRE Director/PI, faculty investigators, research staff, students, University administrative offices, industry representatives, and external collaborators to advance CNRE technologies from research concepts toward functional prototypes, validation, dissemination, intellectual property protection, and potential commercialization. The position also contributes to efficient implementation of grant activities, research coordination, expenditure tracking, workshops, outreach, reporting, and development of proposals supporting CNRE research and innovation.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE JOB

The University of the District of Columbia is seeking a Grant Coordinator to support a federally funded multidisciplinary research center conducting research, education, innovation, technology development, and outreach activities. The incumbent will coordinate day-to-day research and innovation activities and assist investigators in moving promising CNRE technologies through appropriate stages of concept development, prototyping, testing, intellectual property development, industry engagement, commercialization assessment, and external funding development. This position is expected to work collaboratively with the coordinator supporting the complementary DoD quantum research program operating within the CNRE laboratory environment. Responsibilities should be coordinated to minimize duplication, maximize efficient use of University resources, and facilitate productive interaction among personnel supported by the two grants. Appointment and continuation are subject to availability of grant funding and satisfactory performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate and facilitate research activities conducted under CNRE in collaboration with the Center Director/PI, faculty investigators, staff, and students.
• Facilitate the translation of CNRE research discoveries into proof-of-concept demonstrations and functional prototypes.
• Coordinate innovation development, prototype planning, prototype fabrication, testing, documentation, and technology maturation activities.
• Support assessment of CNRE technologies for potential patenting, licensing, commercialization, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration.
• Maintain organized records describing innovations, prototypes, technical milestones, supporting data, potential applications, and commercialization progress.
• Coordinate with appropriate UDC offices concerning invention disclosures, intellectual property, technology transfer, commercialization, entrepreneurship, and related activities.
• Assist faculty and research teams in identifying and developing proposals for innovation, translational research, prototype development, commercialization, SBIR/STTR-related collaboration, and other external funding opportunities.
• Support preparation of technical and nontechnical materials for potential industry partners, funding agencies, collaborators, and technology-development programs.
• Develop and maintain appropriate contacts with industries, laboratories, universities, entrepreneurs, and other organizations relevant to CNRE technologies.
• Assist with market and technology assessments to identify potential applications, competing technologies, industry needs, and commercialization opportunities.
• Coordinate research documentation needed for grant progress reports, annual reports, presentations, publications, innovation records, and performance evaluation.
• Maintain accurate and current records of grant expenditures and commitments within assigned areas and coordinate spending requirements with the PI and appropriate University offices.
• Facilitate timely grant expenditures, equipment procurement, research supplies, services, travel, and other approved project expenses.
• Coordinate workshops, research meetings, innovation activities, demonstrations, outreach events, industry interactions, and other CNRE activities.
• Assist faculty and students with preparation of technical presentations, posters, prototype demonstrations, research showcases, and innovation-related materials.
• Promote an organized, collaborative, respectful, and performance-oriented research environment within CNRE.
• Coordinate closely with the DoD Quantum Research Program Coordinator on shared laboratory activities, meetings, outreach, procurement, visitors, events, and other areas of overlapping responsibility.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS / REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical science, materials science, nanotechnology, applied science, or a closely related discipline.
• Graduate degree in engineering, science, technology, or a related discipline is preferred where the position requires advanced understanding of research and prototype development.
• Demonstrated experience participating in scientific or engineering research.
• Experience with technology development, prototype development, innovation, intellectual property, technology translation, entrepreneurship, or commercialization.
• Ability to understand technical research sufficiently to communicate effectively with researchers, students, potential collaborators, and external organizations.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary research projects or technical activities.
• Experience supporting research proposals, sponsored projects, innovation programs, or external funding applications is preferred.
• Strong organizational, project-management, documentation, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related project/document-management tools.
• Ability to maintain accurate records concerning grant activities, expenditures, deliverables, innovations, and project milestones.
• Strong interpersonal and emotional-intelligence competencies, including self-awareness, professional communication, constructive problem solving, respect for differing viewpoints, conflict management, and ability to promote teamwork and collegiality.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment while maintaining appropriate communication with the PI and research leadership.
• Ability to work effectively with faculty, students, staff, administrators, external collaborators, and industry representatives.
• Familiarity with university research administration, federal grants, or UDC administrative processes is preferred.

Information to Applicant

Condition of Employment: Temporary employment may be ended at anytime with or without cause.

Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is not in the collective bargaining unit.

Employment Benefits: Depending upon length of appointment, selectee may or may not be eligible for full benefits such as health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and may not be eligible for the University of the District of Columbia's retirement plan (TIAA).

Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Veterans Preference: Applicants claiming veterans preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

Visa Sponsorship: While at this time the University of the District of Columbia does not provide sponsorship for visas (e.g. H-1B), we encourage and will consider individuals in an eligible OPT.

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation. The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia. The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.

Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Talent Management only.

Contact Information: All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Talent Management at (202) 274-5380.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University's EO Policy Statement, please visit: https://www.udc.edu/human-resources/equal-opportunity/ .