Director of Research - Natural Resources Research Institute

Are you passionate about discovering the economy of the future - one that considers all aspects of science and engineering, society, the economy and the environment? The University of Minnesota's Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) was created by the State Legislature in 1983 to foster the economic development of Minnesota's natural resources in an environmentally sound manner to promote private sector employment. As a nonacademic unit of the University, NRRI drives its mission to deliver integrated research solutions across three strategic initiatives: Ecosystem Resilience, Future Forest Industries, and Iron & Minerals of the Future. NRRI maintains two semi-industrial research sites and one restored wetland research site in addition to a presence across the University of Minnesota Research Enterprise. The Institute partners extensively with industry and business, governments, agencies, academia, communities, and NGO's across the country and around the globe.

NRRI is seeking a Director of Research to continue its growth as a leader in comprehensive natural resources research. Today, NRRI is poised for significant growth in attracting and executing large, multidisciplinary programs associated with industrial transformation, ecosystem management and natural resource stewardship. The Institute seeks a seasoned, strategic leader who will carry the NRRI vision forward; will identify, develop and grow the research portfolio; and is ready to engage and lead the research community forward into the future. NRRI seeks a broadly experienced research leader who understands delivery of research impacts, builds upon partnerships and is motivated to make a difference.

The Director of Research position reports to the NRRI Executive Director. The Director of Research is a senior leadership position that has significant impact across the Institute. The administrative nature of this position requires that the employee serve on the senior leadership team and play a key leadership role in developing and leading the strategic priorities for the Institute. The Director of Research is responsible for the planning, organization and delivery of the Institute research enterprise, providing leadership and professional mentoring to managers, supervisors and professional research staff. Where delegated, the Director of Research will stand in for the Institute Executive Director as official representative of NRRI.

The Director of Research is responsible for all research activities and their relevance to the Institute's charter and strategic plan. Given the diverse nature of the NRRI research portfolio, the Director must possess a broad, interdisciplinary research background with a record of accomplishments and a demonstrated ability to engage across many aspects of applied research to deliver impacts and solutions. This position is responsible for identifying new strategically relevant areas of research with related funding sources, coordinating efforts to assemble projects and funding, fostering internal and external collaborations for integrated research, and ensuring Institute staffing and capabilities are consistent with research directions. The Director of Research contributes to the intellectual life of the Institute by sponsoring internal seminars and workshops and by promoting the work of the Institute to external constituencies/stakeholders. Ultimately, the Director of Research is responsible for the vision, quality, and impacts of the research enterprise at NRRI.

The Director of Research is a technical mentor in areas where they have expertise, an organizational mentor in areas of technology management and may contribute directly to research activities. Where possible and appropriate, the incumbent will engage in professional activities in societies, technical symposia, panels, and serve on advisory committees that are aligned with the NRRI mission.

Research Leadership (30%):
Based upon broad research expertise and experience, the Director of Research helps set the research vision and expectations for the Institute and leads the research enterprise in fulfillment of Institute goals. The Director of Research will engage Institute leadership, employees and stakeholder groups (academia, industry, agency, NGO, Tribes, and the public) to anticipate and identify research challenges related to global, societal, market and industry trends; frame and organize relevant research programs with robust funding strategies in alignment with the Institute strategic plan; and maintain a balanced research program portfolio for NRRI funded by internal and external sources focused on placing the Institute in a strong position for the future. The Director of Research will actively promote integrated, interdisciplinary research by encouraging University System-wide engagement and partnerships with agencies, federal laboratories, industry, NGOs, Tribes, and the public.

The Director of Research must leverage a broad background of professional experience, expertise and insight to recognize emerging research trends and opportunities and drive impactful research across the Institute. This individual will model and promote expectations of research professionals with a particular focus on rigor, integrity, quality and safety. The Director of Research will employ project management best practices to monitor progress of research programs and projects - mentoring as appropriate, making decisions to maintain, redirect or terminate projects, and defining strategies to remain relevant as a premier natural resources research enterprise.

The Director of Research leads the Institute's Research Group Leader (RGL) team in developing and integrating individual group strategies, overseeing work streams, identifying cross-Institute opportunities, assigning resources, and evaluating progress using metrics.

Institute Leadership (20%):
The Director of Research will serve on the Institute's Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and will collaboratively engage employees, the advisory board and all stakeholder groups to evolve and help manage the strategic plan for the Institute. The Director of Research will also directly contribute to decisions regarding operations, policy, budget and finance, safety, quality, personnel, facilities, and equipment. As a senior leader, the individual may be called upon to represent the Executive Director and the Institute to external parties and stakeholders.

Performance and Professional Development (20%):
Professional development and skill set management are critical to the growth of the Institute, succession planning and delivery of results in fulfilling the Institute's strategic plan. The Director of Research will work with Institute leadership to manage professional development and set performance targets by ensuring that goal setting is clear, robust and managed fairly across the research enterprise. Feedback to employees via the performance review process is undertaken both on a formal and informal basis.

The Director of Research also sets expectations for the supervision of graduate students, technicians, research scientists and professionals. The position has the authority to offer decisions or effectively recommend the following actions: hire, transfer, suspend, promote, discharge, assign work, reward and discipline.

The Director of Research is responsible for ensuring all research employees are given equal opportunity and for helping create a healthy, diverse, and safe work culture at NRRI.

Budget Management (10%):
The Director of Research manages multiple budgets (creates, plans and proposes budgets), works with Institute accounting personnel to manage budgets and develop control plans. The Director of Research interacts with the NRRI Finance Manager in ensuring that budget matters are monitored and controlled on an ongoing basis and funds are allocated fairly and properly across multiple projects. Also, the Director of Research outlines hard and soft funding allocation strategies and defines performance metrics and accountability models.

Proposal Development Training and Internal Grant Funding (10%):
Significant effort and experience is required to successfully prepare proposals in response to specific requests for projects by granting agencies and external clients. Such experience entails identifying appropriate research funding, writing grant proposals, and overseeing research activities (i.e.: data collection and analysis, writing and publishing research results in areas that are relevant to NRRI's mission). The Director of Research sets the expectations regarding quality, ethics, and scientific rigor of Institute project proposals.

The Director of Research is responsible for the oversight and management of the NRRI Technical Review Board which offers training for proposal preparation and distributes support for internally funded research projects via a biannual RFP process. Under the leadership of the Director of Research, the board sets clear proposal expectations and provides rigorous peer-review for NRRI scientists to apply for internally funded research projects.

Professional Activities (10%):
The Director of Research demonstrates leadership in promoting multidisciplinary, collaborative research and interaction across the Institute, the University System and external collaborators. As a senior leader, the Director of Research must be able to represent and effectively communicate the entirety of the organization, so familiarity with research activities across the Institute is required. Within their field(s) of expertise, the Director of Research will maintain professional participation, service and membership in societies and serve on panels, symposia or advisory committees that are aligned with the Institute mission and strategic plan. Such activities represent the Institute and the University of Minnesota to all collaborators and stakeholders and, as appropriate, communicate the Institute's research programs and products.

REQUIRED:

• The position requires a BA/BS degree and at least 12 years of relevant research experience or advanced degree and 10 years of relevant research experience comprising 5-8 years of multidisciplinary research leadership experience is required (post-doctoral fellowships are not counted as research leadership experience).
• Recognized research stature as demonstrated by a record of broad accomplishments and impacts in discovery and applied science and/or engineering research such as peer-reviewed publications, patents, technical reports, presentations, etc.
• Experience in building a research portfolio: a record of envisioning, developing, and maintaining robust research programs, a record of success in attracting sustained extramural funding, and a record of managing large, complex budgets
• Significant work experience in, or with, the private sector, agency, or federal laboratories
• Demonstrated success in leading and supervising diverse staff of various educational and cultural backgrounds with an ability to respectfully navigate complex team dynamics
• Track record of providing professional development opportunities and mentoring to help individuals and teams evolve
• Evidence of developing strong partnerships with stakeholders (industry clients, governments, agencies, program sponsors, collaborators, academic institutions, NGO's, the public, and internal staff)
• Familiarity with collaborative strategic planning
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills

PREFERRED: The Institute prefers applicants that also meet these criteria:

• PhD in a science or engineering field.
• Experience in applied research, product development and commercialization, along with demonstrated expertise in the development and management of intellectual property
• Familiarity with project management tools, process development, engineering, and facilities planning
• Experience in safety and quality processes
• Proven experience working within ecological systems, including forests, landscapes, and aquatic environments with a familiarity in monitoring and managing ecosystem impacts focusing on applied solutions
• Demonstrated commitment to sustainability practices
• Evidence of effective community outreach and engagement activities
  

The Natural Resources Research Institute was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1983 as an applied science and engineering research organization to inform state citizens and decision-makers while leveraging the power of the University of Minnesota. NRRI is guided by the forward-looking charter provided by the Legislature to foster the economic development of Minnesota's natural resources in an environmentally sound manner to promote private sector employment.

NRRI's mission is to deliver integrated research solutions that value our resources, environment and economy for a sustainable and resilient future. We are a mission-driven, project-focused team working to create opportunities for natural resource stewardship.

With industrial-scale facilities in Duluth and Coleraine, MN, NRRI works across five strategic research platforms. These platforms address Minnesota's soil, forest, water and mineral resources:

1. Applied Ecology and Resource Management
2. Minerals and Metallurgy
3. Materials and Bioeconomy
4. Data Collection and Delivery
5. Commercialization Services
   
   

Pay Range: $170,000-$210,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. Please note: This position requires that you attach a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position. Finalists will be asked to provide references.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).