User Facility Director, Artificial Intelligence-driven RNA Foundry (AIRFoundry) - Penn Engineering
University of Pennsylvania

University OverviewThe University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.Posted Job TitleUser Facility Director, Artificial Intelligence-driven RNA Foundry (AIRFoundry) - Penn EngineeringJob Profile TitleDirector B, ResearchJob Description SummaryThe User Facility Director will be responsible for overall management of the user facility and user programs for the NSF Artificial Intelligence-driven RNA BioFoundry (AIRFoundry). The User Facility Director will play a key role in establishing the physical facility at University of Pennsylvania, providing recommendations for equipment purchasing, workflow management and technical processes. The User Facility Director will be the primary contact for internal and external users, with the goal of reducing barriers to entry, answering access-based questions for external users, and directing users to the appropriate person within the Center to have their needs met. He/she will help to develop a sustainable payment system and fee structure model and assist in outreach and support to local companies, entrepreneurs, and academic institutions.

Activities include maintaining a safe laboratory and inclusive working environment, training and supporting users, scheduling and reporting facility usage, preventative maintenance and repairs, facility development and communication with the advisory board and leadership.Job Description

Job Responsibilities

AIRfoundry Set Uup: Assist the director, faculty leads and managing director in establishing a new user facility lab at University of Pennsylvania. Make purchasing recommendations for equipment and establishs workflows and SOPs for the user facility. Working with Penn offices, manage the user service agreements and aid in establishment of a sustainable fee model for external academic and industry users. Contribute to the strategic planning as it pertains to the user facility.

User Facility Coordination: Serve as technical point of contact for user facility; trains and support users; maintain equipment (preventative maintenance and repairs); manage future user facility staff and oversee external user projects and communication with customers on a routine basis.

Client Services: Act as the primary contact for internal and external users, with the goal of reducing barriers to entry, answering access-based questions for external users, and directing users to the appropriate person within the Center to have their needs met. Fulfils order requests for fee-for-service users and ensurs all products are properly stored, shipped, and/or logged.

Data Collection and Reporting: Develop and manage systems for data collection, quality control, and compliance. Collect user data and usage for internal assessment and reporting to funding agencies and other stakeholders. Prepare financial, regulatory, and technical progress reports for review by leadership, advisory boards, and funding agencies.

Partnership Development: Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships. Participate in outreach and support to local companies, entrepreneurs, and individuals/groups from academic institutions, such as primarily undergraduate or minority-serving institutions.

Qualifications

Master's degree in biology, engineering, biotechnology or related field and 5-7 years of experience working in or running a user facility or an equivalent combination of education and experience.. PhD preferred.

Previous experience working with research grants and knowledge of research guidelines and protocols. Previous experience leading a scientific team, preparing reports, and presenting on complex subject matter. The successful candidate must have a comprehensive understanding of RNA and LNP technology as well as communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

Job Location - City, StatePhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaDepartment / SchoolSchool of Engineering and Applied SciencePay Range$61,046.00 - $103,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

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