Managing Director, Center for Sustainable Separations of Metals (CSSM)

The Center for Sustainable Separations of Metals, a National Science Foundation (NSF) Phase 1 Center for Chemical Innovation (https://www.cssm.upenn.edu), is seeking a Managing Director. In this position, the Managing Director will support and develop administrative, education, assessment, and outreach efforts associated with the center. Members of underrepresented groups in the sciences are strongly encouraged to apply. The grand challenge of the Center for the Sustainable Separations of Metals is the discovery of new fundamental chemical separations methods that enable >99% recycling rates of valuable metals from consumer products and processes at comparable or lower costs than current market prices. Efforts in the center are developing radically new, collaborative, interdisciplinary chemistry that will catapult creative, efficient, sustainable solutions, promote the growth of new businesses, reduce international dependencies, pollution caused by mining, and the potential for resource conflicts. The successful candidate will coordinate and organize in-person and virtual meetings and events for center members, including site visit reviews with the Center’s funding agency NSF. They will help develop and implement new education programs. They will maintain the (Wordpress) center website and Twitter account. They will assist and contribute to strategic planning and grant writing for a Phase 2 application, as described in the CCI program description on the National Science Foundation website.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree and 5 to 7 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, is required. Essential skills for the position include, strong organizational and management skills, and abilities to work collaboratively with, and help direct a vision for, a team of researchers towards shared goals. Backgrounds in chemistry (B.A./B.S. or Ph.D., Ph.D. preferred), grant writing experience, and familiarity with NSF funding policies is desirable. As a staff member at the University of Pennsylvania, the successful candidate will be required to follow all University, School, and Departmental policies and procedures, including those related to COVID-19. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will initially work remotely, until such time that onsite work restrictions allow for in person work.

This is a term position supported through Dec 31, 2022, with the possibility of renewal with satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.