Job Description: Position: Director for Biotechnology Supervisor: Research Director for Special Programs Position Summary:
The Director for Biotechnology (DBT) will direct and provide research and analytical support to Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. Government (USG) sponsors on evolving requirements in designing, developing, testing, and evaluating capabilities to support the chemical and biological defense mission set. Biotechnology research efforts will harness cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and sensors to counter WMD threats for the DoD Science & Technology (S&T) partners and other USG agencies/mission partners.
The Director for Biotechnology will be responsible for providing leadership, program management, and research across the broad array of elements related to Chemical and Biological Defense Programs (CBDP).
Responsibilities will include the integration of programmatic, technical, systems engineering, business, budget, schedule, and resource elements of CBDP projects, while directly collaborating with NSRI staff, the University of Nebraska System Campuses and other entities within the CBD community. Additionally, the Director for Biotechnology will help identify and develop business opportunities that support DoD and other USG sponsors.
The Director for Biotechnology will lead and mentor a multi-disciplinary team including sub-contractors and direct reports to include Project Managers, Project Coordinators, Principal Investigators, and work closely with CBDP Research Directors, Directors, and Principal Investigators to achieve target business goals and objectives to ensure highly coordinated and well executed efforts are maintained to meet sponsor requirements.
The Director of Biotechnology will be required to execute projects, to include hands on laboratory work but also create structure and provide guidance, mentorship and project prioritization to meet the strategic goals as well as determine the optimal approach for managing projects by resolving resource constraints, supervising risk management, and influencing strategic direction that affects project progression and achievement of goals.
The Director for Biotechnology will work with and report to the Research Director for Special Programs. Position title and supervisor are subject to change based on organizational and contractual requirements.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Lead and develop a team of research scientist, project managers, project coordinators, and principal investigators.
Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations for assigned subordinate employees.
Assist the Research Director for Special Programs in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training new staff, in coordination with Human Resources.
Position-Specific Requirements and Responsibilities:
Graduate degree in biology, microbiology, or molecular biology from an accredited university or college, plus minimum 5 years relevant experience.
5-10 years' experience leading USG-sponsored sample analysis programs.
5-10 years' experience in program management.
10+ years' experience in technical fields to include but not limited: Molecular biology (Polymerase Chain Reaction- PCR), Assay development, Microbiology, Next Generation Sequencing, Engineering and Bioinformatic analysis.
5-10 years' experience working in a Biological Safety Level 2&3 laboratory.
5-10 years' experience with molecular biology, Next Generation Sequencing/Bioinformatics and Biochemical assays.
Represent NSRI CBDP research activities with sponsors, including working with University of Nebraska faculty and staff and other partners on collaborative projects.
Master and maintain a vast knowledge base of CWMD mission and emerging requirements.
Work with DoD and academic senior leaders to promote, develop, synchronize, and execute educational initiatives, ranging from undergraduate internships to PhD programs, addressing human capital development needs across the CDBP mission space.
This position requires the individual to be a U.S. citizen and must be able to obtain and maintain U.S. government security clearance eligibility. This position may also require a Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph to meet contractual requirements.
Salary Range: Salary will be commensurate with credentials and experience, with a target minimum of $140,000.
