Assistant Director, Research & Business Development

NORDP, Inc.; Tempe (AZ); Remote; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Part time

Job summary

Arizona State University seeks a strategic and results-driven professional to support research development, business development, and partnerships for the CXFEL initiative and X-Beams Labs in Tempe, AZ. This role focuses on identifying external funding, building collaborations, and coordinating interdisciplinary programs to advance cutting-edge research and its commercialization potential.

The successful candidate will work with faculty, leadership, and industry partners to expand

Qualifications

• Advanced degree or MBA with STEM background as described.
• Progressive experience in research development, business development, technology transfer, or strategic program management.
• Track record of successful proposal development and capture management for major federal sponsors (DOE, NSF, DOD, etc.).
• Ability to build revenue-generating or collaborative partnerships with corporate R&D teams (microelectronics, quantum, biotech).
• Exceptional communication skills to articulate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue federal funding opportunities across DOE, NSF, DOD, NIH that align with CXFEL and XBEAMS Labs priorities.
• Lead and coordinate development of complex, multi-investigator research proposals with technical and sponsor requirements.
• Develop and implement multi-year research development strategies with faculty, leadership, and external sponsors.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with industry, national labs, government agencies, and academia.
• Identify opportunities for sponsored research, industry collaboration, technology translation, and commercialization in semiconductor and biomedical sectors.
• Lead cross-functional research teams of faculty, postdocs, staff scientists, and external collaborators.
• Establish processes to monitor research activities, milestones, deliverables, funding opportunities, and outcomes.
• Organize workshops, industry roundtables, advisory board meetings, and strategic engagement events.
• Provide programmatic leadership to grow CXFEL and XBEAMS Labs.

Education

Advanced degree in Physics/Materials Science/Chemistry/Electrical Engineering or MBA with STEM

Progressive experience in research development and strategic program management

Funding acquisition for major federal sponsors

Industry relations and partnerships development

Exceptional communication skills with technical audiences

Job description

Assistant Director, Research & Business Development

Organization: Arizona State University

Date Posted: 10/13/2026

Date Needed: 11/13/2026

City: TEMPE

Location: Arizona

Country: United States

Primary Category: Assistant Director/Manager

Salary: $90,000.00 yearly

Type of Position: Part-Time Remote

Campus: Tempe

JR128102

End Date: November 13, 2026

Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including two (2) years managerial experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilitieshave been achieved.

Job Profile Summary:

Plans and develops research programs within a division, center, or department, solicits research opportunities, develops policies and procedures, and has significant responsibility for the overall functioning and effectiveness of research studies.

Job Description:

The Compact X-ray Free-Electron Laser (CXFEL) initiative and ASU X-Beams Labs are seeking a strategic and results-driven professional to support research development, business development, and strategic partnerships. This position will support the continuedgrowth of the CXFEL initiative and X-Beams Labs by identifying and pursuing external research funding opportunities, developing industry and institutional partnerships, and coordinating interdisciplinary research initiatives.

The position will work closely with faculty, research teams, university leadership, industry partners, national laboratories, and academic institutions to advance strategic priorities and expand research opportunities. The successful candidate will combinean understanding of advanced scientific research with experience in research development, program management, and external engagement to support the scientific growth, financial sustainability, and commercialization opportunities of the CXFEL initiativeand X-Beams Labs.

Position Salary Range:

$90,000 - $120,000 per year; DOE

• Identify and pursue federal funding opportunitiesacross agencies such as DOE, NSF, DOD, and NIH that align with XBEAMS Labs' strategic priorities.
• Lead and coordinate the development of complex,multi-investigator and interdisciplinary research proposals, ensuring technical, administrative, and sponsor requirements are met.
• Develop and implement multi-year research developmentstrategies in collaboration with faculty, leadership, and external sponsors.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships withindustry, national laboratories, government agencies, research consortia, and academic institutions.
• Identify opportunities for sponsored research,industry collaboration, technology translation, and commercialization, particularly within the semiconductor and biomedical sectors.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional researchteams consisting of faculty, postdoctoral researchers, staff scientists, and external collaborators.
• Establish processes for monitoring research activities,project milestones, deliverables, funding opportunities, and program outcomes.
• Organize and facilitate workshops, industry roundtables,advisory board meetings, and other strategic engagement activities.
• Provide programmatic leadership to support thecontinued development and growth of the CXFEL initiative and XBEAMS Labs.

Desired Qualifications:

• Education: Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.)in Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, or closely related fields, or a Business Administration degree with a STEM background.
• Experience: Progressive experience in researchdevelopment, business development, technology transfer, or strategic program management in an academic, national laboratory, or high-tech industry setting.
• Funding Acquisition: Track record of successfulproposal development and capture management for major federal sponsors (DOE, NSF, DOD, etc.).
• Industry Relations: Ability to build revenue-generatingor collaborative partnerships with corporate R&D teams (particularly in microelectronics, quantum, or biotech).
• Communication: Exceptional communication skills,with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts to technical experts, corporate executives, and funding agency officials.
• Activities are performed in an environmentallycontrolled office setting subject to extended periods of being in a stationary position, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse (60%); Required to move moderate distances to perform work (20%).
• Occasionally moving up to 25 pounds (20%).
• Regular use of standard office equipment includingbut not limited to: computer workstation/laptop (keyboard, monitor, mouse), printer, fax, calculator, copier, telephone, and associated computer/technology peripherals.

Department Statement:

ASU Knowledge Enterprise advances research, innovation, strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship, and international development.

Our success arises from solutions-focused, interdisciplinary research; an entrepreneurial approach that is embedded in every school and department; and a commitment to transform society in a positive way. To learn more about how Knowledge Enterprise isa place for your career to grow, visit https://research.asu.edu/about-us/careers.

At the Biodesign Institute CXFEL Laboratory, we are dedicated to building an inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. We value your uniquebackground and perspective, and you may be just the right candidate for this position or other roles on our team.

Working at ASU has additional perks and outstanding benefits, which include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; ASU/UA/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified familymembers; state and optional retirement plans; access to ASU recreation and cultural activities; and more. To estimate the value of your total compensation, please visit https://cfo.asu.edu/compensation-estimator.

ASU Statement:

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiatedcampuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU servesmore than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf . You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources .

ASU’s comprehensive benefits package is a key part of your total compensation. Visit the ASU Compensation Estimator

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.

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