Associate Director of Autonomous Science

North Carolina State University; North Carolina; On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement programs

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

NC State University invites applications for Associate Director of Autonomous Science in Raleigh, NC. This leadership role will advance SPEED’s autonomous laboratories by translating scientific questions into closed-loop experiments and coordinating cross-disciplinary teams across science, robotics, and AI.

You will drive end-to-end autonomous workflows, define integration requirements, and push forward AI-enabled experimentation while ensuring rigorous, reproducible results.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, robotics, or closely related field.
• Five or more years of relevant autonomous experimentation, robotics, AI for science, or related platform development.
• Demonstrated experience designing and executing experimental research in chemistry, materials science, molecular science, catalysis, or related field.
• Ability to translate user questions into executable experimental plans and measurable objectives.
• Ability to work primarily on site in laboratory environments.
• Strong communication and leadership of multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and operation of end-to-end autonomous experimentation workflows across SPEED’s robotic laboratories.
• Translate scientific goals into closed-loop systems spanning experimental design, robotic execution, measurement, analysis, interpretation, and AI-guided experiment selection.
• Define requirements for integrating synthesis, processing, characterization, optimization, and autonomous decision-making.
• Advance AI methods in laboratory systems, including Bayesian optimization and active learning.
• Establish standards for validity, uncertainty quantification, reproducibility, and experimental provenance.
• Mentor researchers and coordinate multidisciplinary teams across science, robotics, and software.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Mentorship

Communication skills

On-site work capability

Education

PhD in related field

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number PG194818EP

Internal Recruitment No

Working Title Associate Director of Autonomous Science

Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with education and experience ($110,000 - $125,000)

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm (additional work outside of standard hours may be required due to business needs)

Job Location Raleigh, NC

Department University Interdisciplinary Programs

The Self-driving Platforms for Expedited Experimental co-Design ( SPEED ) Programmable Cloud Laboratory is a $20 million National Science Foundation-funded national research infrastructure led by NC State University. Located in Woodson Hall, SPEED will provide academic, government, and industry researchers with remote access to integrated self-driving laboratories for accelerated discovery and development of advanced functional materials and molecules.

SPEED brings together expertise in laboratory automation, artificial intelligence, experimental science, data engineering, cybersecurity, and workforce development. The facility will operate a suite of autonomous experimental platforms through a shared digital infrastructure, enabling users to design, execute, monitor, and analyze experiments remotely. SPEED is supported by collaborators at NC State, UNC–Chapel Hill, MIT , industry partners, and an initial national network of academic users.

Wolfpack Perks And Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

• Medical , Dental , and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership , and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

The Associate Director of Autonomous Science will contribute to advancement of the scientific and engineering vision for SPEED’s autonomous laboratories, helping transform how experiments are designed, executed, analyzed, and optimized. This is a highly collaborative leadership role at the intersection of science, robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced laboratory automation.

The Associate Director will coordinate the translation of complex scientific questions into closed-loop autonomous experiments that combine AI-driven planning, robotic experimentation, multimodal characterization, data analysis, and scientific reasoning. Working with SPEED scientists, engineers, researchers, and external users, the position will shape new capabilities, guide high-impact research programs, and ensure that autonomous experiments deliver rigorous, reproducible, and scientifically meaningful results.

Primary Responsibilities

Autonomous Science and Engineering Leadership

• Lead design and operation of end-to-end autonomous experimentation workflows across SPEED’s robotic laboratories.
• Translate scientific goals into closed-loop systems spanning experimental design, robotic execution, measurement, analysis, interpretation, and AI-guided experiment selection.
• Define requirements for integrating synthesis, processing, characterization, optimization, and autonomous decision-making.
• Advance Bayesian optimization, active learning, machine learning, scientific models, genetic algorithms, and AI agents in physical laboratory systems.
• Establish standards for controls, validation, uncertainty quantification, reproducibility, metadata, and experimental provenance.
• Evaluate AI-generated recommendations for scientific validity, feasibility, safety, and alignment with research objectives.
• Drive improvements in SPEED’s reliability, throughput, autonomy, and scientific capabilities.

Scientific Program and User Engagement

• Serve as scientific leader and primary point of contact for researchers using SPEED’s autonomous experimentation capabilities.
• Translate user questions into defined experimental objectives, strategies, and success criteria.
• Assess project feasibility and develop experimental plans, autonomous campaigns, analysis strategies, and validation approaches.
• Partner with researchers and engineers to execute projects, interpret results, and resolve scientific and technical challenges.
• Lead reviews of experimental results, AI recommendations, uncertainty, emerging hypotheses, and next steps.
• Develop sustained research partnerships with academic, government, national laboratory, and industry organizations.

Expansion Of SPEED Scientific Capabilities

• Lead development and integration of new autonomous laboratory capabilities, methods, and application areas.
• Identify opportunities to expand SPEED across chemistry, materials science, catalysis, molecular discovery, formulation, process development, and related fields.
• Define requirements for robotic platforms, analytical systems, sensors, AI tools, and integrated workflows.
• Guide new capabilities from concept and prototyping through commissioning, validation, and deployment.
• Establish benchmarks to evaluate performance, reproducibility, and transferability.
• Evaluate emerging technologies in laboratory robotics, scientific AI, multimodal characterization, digital twins, agentic systems, and autonomous decision-making.
• Develop strategies to transfer methods, models, and experimental knowledge across SPEED platforms and partner laboratories.
• Contribute to strategic planning, equipment investments, partnerships, proposals, publications, and initiatives advancing SPEED’s scientific mission.

Research Team Leadership and Technical Coordination

• Provide scientific direction and mentorship to researchers, platform scientists, and engineering personnel.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams spanning science, robotics, automation, software, data, AI, and facility operations.
• Set project priorities, milestones, deliverables, and performance expectations.
• Review experimental plans, autonomous workflows, technical documentation, data products, and scientific conclusions.
• Lead technical discussions to resolve integration challenges and align scientific and engineering efforts.
• Establish consistent scientific, software, data, and documentation practices across SPEED platforms.
• Develop training, workshops, and technical demonstrations for researchers, users, and partners.
• Represent SPEED at scientific meetings, sponsor reviews, user workshops, advisory activities, and external collaborations.

Other Responsibilities

• Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, robotics, or a closely related scientific or engineering discipline.
• Five or more years of relevant experience in autonomous experimentation, laboratory automation, robotics, artificial intelligence for science, high-throughput experimentation, or integrated scientific platform development.

Other Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience designing and executing experimental research in chemistry, materials science, molecular science, catalysis, process development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience integrating multiple stages of an experimental workflow, such as synthesis, processing, sample handling, characterization, data analysis, optimization, and experimental decision-making.
• Experience applying machine learning, Bayesian optimization, active learning, design of experiments, or related computational methods to experimental science.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary scientific and engineering projects involving researchers, engineers, software developers, and technical staff.
• Experience mentoring graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, research scientists, or technical personnel.
• Strong record of scientific problem-solving, experimental design, data interpretation, and technical communication.
• Ability to translate user-defined scientific questions into executable experimental plans and measurable objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively with academic researchers, industry scientists, government partners, students, engineers, and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Ability to work primarily on site in laboratory and research-facility environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing or operating self-driving laboratories, autonomous research platforms, high-throughput laboratories, or remotely accessible scientific infrastructure.
• Experience integrating laboratory robotics with artificial intelligence, optimization algorithms, analytical instrumentation, and automated data pipelines.
• Experience with robotic synthesis, liquid handling, flow chemistry, automated materials processing, high-throughput characterization, or multimodal analytical methods.
• Experience applying AI agents, large language models, scientific knowledge systems, or automated reasoning tools to experimental research.
• Familiarity with scientific software development, instrument APIs, workflow orchestration, databases, metadata standards, and experimental provenance.
• Experience commissioning new scientific equipment or moving experimental platforms from prototype development to routine user operation.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications, scientific presentations, patents, software products, or other research outputs related to autonomous science.
• Experience developing research proposals, technical roadmaps, facility capability plans, or externally funded multidisciplinary programs.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety, robotic workcells, remotely operated experiments, hazardous materials, pressure systems, and unattended laboratory operations.

Required License(s) Or Certification(s)

• N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required No

Commercial Driver's License required No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date 08/18/2026

Anticipated Close Date Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants Please include as attachments a resume/CV, cover letter, and contact information for at least 3 professional references.

Position Details

Position Number 00112269

Position Type EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0

Appointment 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID 230101 - Interdisciplinary Programs - SVP

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail] .

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.