Principal Research Specialist

Hiring Department: Energy Resources Center

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1022954

Posting Close Date: March 4, 2024

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Description:

Position Summary
Assists in the development and implementation of the overall strategic direction of the ERC, with responsibility for technical and financial sustainability of the program group/area in which this position has been assigned. Will set the program strategy, establish work plans, assigns work elements, oversees the work of the program's staff and will be responsible for the success delivery of the program. Will develop and maintain a positive relationship with the program's funding sponsor(s).
Duties & Responsibilities

• Supports the Director in the development of the strategic approach and direction of the ERC and in planning the successful implementation of the strategy.

• Develops and implements the assigned technical program group/research areas, including establishing the strategy, work plans, overseeing the product, work assignments and responsible for the successful delivery of the product program.

• Oversee, mentor, guide and manage the professional research staff and student interns in a matrix organization including reallocation of key staff in order to meet the requirements of the ERC’s portfolio of contracts.

• Secures funding for the assigned technical programs/areas, including preparing proposals, developing ideas for proposals, negotiating the terms of the scope of work for awarded contracts, seeking program partners and managing sponsor interactions.

• Seeks new areas of work that advance the mission of the ERC.

• Leads teams of technical personnel in preparing proposals, strategizing on how to win new contracts, staffing needed positions (new hires or reallocation of existing personnel or a combination of both).

• Serve as a technical expert of the ERC in energy efficiency, distributed energy, bioenergy, clean transportation, sustainable landscapes, and/or other designated areas.

• Oversees and/or performs: site assessments; market potential studies; site screenings and analyses; third party technical reviews and analyses; written technical white papers; paper and report publication; financial analyses; project management; plan development and implementation; technical education and outreach to government agencies, legislators, industrial associations, commercial and industrial companies; presentation of technical research results; stakeholder engagement and facilitation; and other related research.

• Ensures the requirements of the University, Campus and the funding sponsor(s) are met, including all financial, technical, market development and transformation, intellectual property management, and reporting requirements.

• Provides guidance and mentors technical personnel and students. Plans related training and education for professional growth.

• Performs other related duties and participates in special projects as needed.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural or Social Sciences or related field. Masters or Doctorate Degree preferred.
• Requires a minimum of 7 years of related and progressive experience in the energy/environmental research areas or 5 years of related experience in the energy/environmental research areas with an advanced degree.
• Demonstrated and proven experience in securing energy/environmental related research grants.
• Experience in managing research efforts of a technical staff, building research teams and successfully completing/reporting on research efforts.
• Excellent communication, presentation, organization, analytical and computer/pc skills are required.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office including: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word. Must also be proficient in other related database and research applications.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation