Assistant Director, Scientific Engagement

University of Delaware

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html


Job No: 498427
Work Type: Staff
Location: Newark
Categories: Research & Laboratory, Full Time, Program/Project Management


PAY GRADE: 31E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) is an interdisciplinary research unit at the University of Delaware. The vision is to create a better future through leadership in life science research. Most, but not all, of DBI's activities involve molecular and cellular studies of living systems and many, but not all, of the research activities involve partnerships with other institutions in the region. DBI's mission is to promote research, education, and technology transfer for biotechnology applications to the benefit of the environment, agriculture, and human health. DBI fosters a collaborative and cutting-edge research environment, encourages innovation and technology transfer, and supports ground-breaking discoveries to benefit the environment, agriculture, and human health. DBI staff will be committed to being proactive in solving problems, serving the needs of the faculty and research groups that rely on DBI, and performing all duties efficiently, with careful attention to detail, and with priority on issues that support the Institute's mission and the team.

Under the limited direction of the Director, the Assistant Director has specific responsibilities in the areas of program development, grants strategy and education outreach and workforce engagement activities. The Assistant Director represents the Institute in initiatives at the local, national, and international level.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct Education and Outreach Efforts. Support DBI and UD life science STEM education/outreach and business engagement programs in the public domain. Establish a professional network of scientists/student-scientists and educators from universities, K-12 schools, state and non-profit agencies and like-minded business community members to create meaningful, pedagogically sound programs to support STEM education and STEM workforce development. Represent and lead selected initiatives at the local and national level. Lead diversity initiatives to increase the participation of women and girls, and members of underrepresented groups in STEM.
• Lead Grantsmanship Efforts. Work with the DBI Leadership Team, and resident faculty to develop a funding strategy that advances the DBI mission. Write proposals and secure funding from federal, state, foundation or other sources. Coordinate the preparation of research proposals, white papers and fact sheets relevant to the mission and funding strategy of the Institute, including environmental research, student support, multi-institutional and cross-sectoral partnerships. Develop funding strategies and coordinate implementation with the Research Development Team in the UD Research Office, with UD's Office of Development and with partner organizations.
• Support regional life science community engagement activities that promote communication, engagement and collaboration across business, K-12 and post-secondary science education communities including seminars, symposia, facility tours and workshops.
• Assists with the DBI communications activities, that will help plan, write, and implement communications for the Institute. Coordinate the DBI communications strategy with UD's Office of Communications and Marketing and the communications offices of partner organizations along with the DBI Associate Director of External Relations.
• Work with faculty and external partners to develop professional development activities and experiential learning programs for graduate, undergraduate, and postdoctoral fellows.
• Collect and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data pertaining to education and workforce training to inform the Institute's decision-making. Analyzes program outcomes and recommend steps to strengthen or terminate programs as needed. Provide data research expertise and analysis toward the Institute's benchmarks and goals.
• Help communicate the life science initiative in Delaware through publications, presentations and policy statements destined for a broad audience, including national policy groups and government officials, the State of Delaware, chambers of commerce. Organize public events that promote interest in life sciences. Develop press releases and respond to press inquiries as required.
• Manage secondary science outreach programs including secondary science fair competition and Celebration of Science Awards.
• Manage outreach fellowship program.
• Represent the Institute at public events, press conferences, and serve as point of contact for scientific communication and outreach. Plan and organize the Institute's participation in public events such as the international BIO conference, Coast Day, AG Day, K-12 school science fairs, Sussex Science Night. Create innovative programs towards activities and presentations that make research and innovations accessible to the public.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in a biotechnology related field and minimum of five years of experience in the practice of scientific research or PhD in a biotechnology related field and two years of experience in the practice of scientific research, preferred.
• Experience in scientific writing including reports and proposals, program development, management, and evaluation.
• Experience in teaching and practical knowledge of the secondary science education system. Strong evidence of an effective communicator of science and the ability to evaluate learning outcomes.
• Collegial and effective interpersonal skills and the ability to interact well with a diverse community across multiple organizations.
• Ability to think strategically and to recognize new opportunities, in-depth knowledge of missions and objectives and programs of federal funding agencies.
• Knowledge of formal and informal educational best practices. Exceptional communications skills including writing and presentation; technical writing and editing for an array of audiences; ability to interact well with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures preferred.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Applications close:

PI187288566