Director of Applied Research Laboratory (0089563T)

University of Hawai'i Research and Innovation; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Hawai'i Research and Innovation seeks a visionary leader to direct ARL, setting strategic goals, securing DoD partnerships, and guiding growth in line with UH priorities.

The Director will oversee governance, risk management, budget, and program execution, work with NAVSEA and government sponsors, and represent ARL in national and international forums while ensuring compliance and staff development.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a scientific, engineering, business, liberal arts or social science discipline or equivalent experience.
• At least 10 years leading an applied research organization or large complex organization under DoD requirements.
• Knowledge of DoD programs, ARL structures, and university-federal relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for ARL, shaping vision, goals, priorities, and growth aligned with DoD objectives.
• Lead strategic planning, identify emerging mission areas, investments, and capabilities.
• Approve major initiatives, staffing plans, budgets, and policy changes.
• Oversee risk management, regulatory compliance, export controls, and sponsor satisfaction.
• Lead business development, cultivate sponsors, and expand partnerships for sustaining the lab.
• Ensure execution of contract requirements and performance for government agencies.
• Oversee operations through leadership team; set priorities and evaluate performance.
• Act as principal liaison with NAVSEA, DoD sponsors, federal agencies, UH leadership, and industry partners.
• Represent ARL in local, national, and international forums and public engagements.
• Ensure compliance with laws and university policies; manage training to address risk and compliance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Public speaking

Education

Master’s degree

Job description

DIRECTOR OF APPLIED RESEARCH LABORATORY

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

POSITION NO. 0089563T

Title: DIRECTOR OF APPLIED RESEARCH LABORATORY

Position Number: 0089563T

Hiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Applied Research Laboratory (ARL)

Location: Manoa Innovation Center (MIC)

Date Posted: July 27, 2026

Closing Date: August 31, 2026

Band: SM-2

Salary Range: $129,732 – $233,508

Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide strategic leadership for ARL at UH, establishing the laboratory vision, long-range goals, organizational priorities, and growth strategies consistent with University and Department of Defense objectives.
• Lead strategic planning and organizational development, including identification of emerging mission areas, technical capabilities, and investment priorities.
• Approve major organizational initiatives, staffing plans, budgets, business strategies, policy changes, and significant operational decisions.
• Maintain responsibility for organizational risk management, regulatory compliance, export control, contractual performance, and sponsor satisfaction.
• Lead business development activities, including cultivation of new sponsors, development of task opportunities, expansion of strategic partnerships, and generation of resources necessary to sustain and grow the laboratory.
• Maintain overall responsibility to applicable government agencies for execution of contract requirements, task orders, and organizational performance.
• Provide oversight of laboratory operations through the Associate Director and senior leadership team; establish organizational priorities and evaluate organizational performance.
• Serve as the principal liaison with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Department of Defense sponsors, federal agencies, UH leadership, industry partners, elected officials, and other external stakeholders.
• Represent ARL at UH locally, nationally, and internationally through executive briefings, conferences, advisory committees, sponsor meetings, and public engagement activities.
• Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and policies and procedures of the University, raise awareness among staff, and direct them in such a way that University compliance requirements are met.
• Identify and mitigate through policy development/revision/enhancement and training, areas of risk and developing risk to the University, e.g., legal, financial, reputation, and compliance risk, and ensure the team is aware and focused on addressing the same.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a scientific, engineering, business, liberal arts, or social sciences discipline on equivalent professional experience.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience directly related to developing and managing an applied research organization or equivalent experience managing complex organizations under Department of Defense requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Department of Defense programs, applied research laboratory organizational structures, workflow, and operating procedures, including the relationship between university research faculty and federal task orders.
• Knowledge of management principles and practices, including recruitment, staffing, performance management, policy development, and organizational change in complex research or defense environments.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and practices that impact applied research and research service support provided by universities, including export control International Traffic in Arms Regulations/Export Administration Regulations (ITAR/EAR) and related federal requirements.
• Knowledge of current technological developments and directions in at least one of ARL at UH’s core technical domains (e.g., Ocean Environmental Effects, Astronomical Research; Advanced Electro-Optical Systems, Detectors, Arrays and Instrumentation; Environmental Sensor Research and Remote Sensing; New Renewable Energy; and Mission-Related and Public-Services-Oriented Research and Development).
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills; ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse Department of Defense and university community and to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government.
• Demonstrated ability to examine and re-engineer operations and procedures, formulate policy, and develop and implement new strategies and procedures; ability to develop and implement short- and long-range goals for complex organizations.
• Demonstrated skills in business development, including identifying and securing alternative funding/revenue sources.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and train staff, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments and supporting employee development and performance management.
• Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management; ability to develop and deliver effective presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance based on a tier 5 background investigation.
• Ability to travel independently to various geographical locations in a timely manner. This requirement may be fulfilled by possession of a valid driver’s license or use of other means of transportation which meets the position’s needs.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of University of Hawai’i and RCUH policies and procedures.
• Established working relationships with U.S. Navy commands and senior command-level personnel, and experience interacting with NAVSEA, other DoD program offices, and high-technology defense industry partners.
• Experience leading a university-based applied research or laboratory organization, or equivalent program at a major research institution, including supervision of technical directors and senior engineering staff.
• Experience integrating university research capabilities into Department of Defense task orders and contracts.

Inquiries: OVPRI; [e-mail]