Associate Director, CIIC

The University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago seeks an Associate Director for the Chicago Immunoengineering Innovation Center (CIIC). The role oversees strategic planning, research infrastructure, funding, and partnerships to advance immunoengineering initiatives.

Responsibilities include coordinating with PME and external partners, pursuing grants, managing NIH programs, and ensuring compliance and reporting. Strong communication and leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Education: college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience: 5-7 years in related job discipline.
• Certifications: ---.
• Graduate degree in bioengineering, immunology, or related field.
• Experience: Scientific writing and/or grant/proposal development.
• Familiarity with the higher education environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the CIIC strategic plan including priorities, infrastructure, funding, communications, and partnerships.
• Coordinate with the Immunoengineering and Bioengineering Institute to align research goals and shared infrastructure.
• Identify grant opportunities, develop proposals, and understand faculty interests.
• Serve as liaison to PME and University offices and external agencies; engage with funders.
• Manage the ImEPosT NIH T32 program ensuring budget and training objectives.
• Ensure compliance with funding source requirements and reporting.
• Provide data analyses and regular reports on CIIC programs.
• Develop communications plans to raise CIIC visibility with external and internal audiences.
• Organize immunoengineering programming like seminars, workshops, and fundraising.
• Support joint academic and community programming to enhance impact.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Decision-making

Initiative

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Graduate degree in bioengineering/immunology or related field

Job description

Department

PME Immunoengineering Center About the Department The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next phase of growth as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.

Job Summary

The Chicago Immunoengineering Innovation Center (CIIC) applies engineering principles to gain a deeper understanding of immune system function and develop innovative solutions to tackle immunological challenges in human health. The Associate Director manages the activities, resources, and research infrastructure of the CIIC.

Responsibilities

• Helps develop and execute the strategic plan for the CIIC, encompassing scientific priorities, research infrastructure, funding strategies, communications, and partnerships.
• Serves as liaison between the CIIC and the Immunoengineering and Bioengineering Institute to align strategic research goals, optimize shared infrastructure, and programming.
• Partners with faculty to identify appropriate federal and private grant opportunities, develop competitive proposals, and develop and maintain detailed knowledge of faculty research interests and strengths.
• Serves as liaison to PME and University administrative offices and external agencies; engages with federal, non-profit, philanthropic, and corporate sources.
• Manages the Immunoengineering Postdoctoral Training (ImEPosT) T32 Program (NIH grant), ensuring the program runs on budget and all postdoctoral fellows complete training objectives in a timely fashion.
• Ensures compliance with requirements of funding sources, such as submitting program plans, providing progress reports, and final reports.
• Provides data analysis, updates, and regular reports on CIIC programs and initiatives, and other reports on request from the CIIC leadership.
• In collaboration with the PME Marketing and Communications team, develops and executes a communications plan for enhancing visibility of the CIIC to both external and internal audiences.
• Organizes and implements immunoengineering-oriented programming for faculty and trainees, such as Works-in-Progress Seminars, Grant Writing Workshops, fundraising activities, and alumni/industry workshops.
• Facilitates joint academic and community programming, including co-sponsored symposia, workshops, and working groups, to enhance the visibility, scientific synergy, and translational impact of Chicago’s immunoengineering ecosystem.
• Improves CIIC program delivery and designs innovative initiatives that expand program reach.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of shared research infrastructure, focusing on shared user and core facilities, and manages affiliated staff.
• Manages program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.
• Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria.
• Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information..
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications: ---.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Graduate degree in bioengineering, immunology, or a related field.
• Experience: Scientific writing and/or grant and proposal development experience.
• Familiarity with the higher education environment.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Effective time management and organizational skills; remain attentive to details while handling multiple concurrent tasks and during high-demand periods.
• Effective decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Work independently with a high degree of initiative.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3) (required)

Job Details

• Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5
• Drug Test Required
• No Health Screen Required
• No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
• Pay Range $100,000.00 - $110,000.00
• Benefits Eligible Yes
• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Accommodation

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

Background Check

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

Security & Fire Safety Report

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About the University

The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government.

Additional Resources

To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/