Director, Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); Presencial; USD 150.000 - 230.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Competitive benefits package

75% tuition discount

Descripción de la vacante

The Pennsylvania State University seeks a Director for the Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance (SCIA) within the Materials Research Institute. The role leads an externally funded, industry-engaged research enterprise advancing SiC materials, crystal growth, wafer processing, and device-oriented technologies for power electronics and national security.

You will expand industrial membership, secure federal and state funding, translate capabilities into collaborations, and mentor teams across

Formación

• Required: Demonstrated expertise in silicon carbide (SiC) materials, crystal growth, wafer processing, or closely related semiconductor technologies.
• Required: Proven track record of securing and managing externally funded research/manufacturing programs.
• Required: Experience working with or within industry, including collaborative R&D or product development.
• Required: Strong leadership and organizational skills, with experience managing teams and complex projects.
• Required: Excellent communication skills and ability to engage stakeholders across academia, industry, and government.

Responsabilidades

• Strategic Leadership & Growth: Develop and execute a multi-year strategic vision to grow SCIA’s capabilities, membership, and national visibility.
• Research Development & Funding: Lead proposal development for federal agencies (e.g., DoD, DOE, NSF) and large-scale initiatives; build a diversified funding portfolio.
• Industry Engagement & Partnerships: Serve as primary liaison between SCIA and industry partners; recruit and retain member companies.
• Operations & Financial Management: Oversee budgets across multiple projects and funding streams; manage center operations and reporting.
• Team Leadership & Workforce Development: Lead interdisciplinary teams; foster a collaborative, inclusive, high-performance culture; support workforce development in semiconductor manufacturing and materials innovation.
• Research Translation & Impact: Accelerate transition of research outcomes into industry-relevant solutions and support IP development and technology transfer.

Conocimientos

SiC materials expertise

Crystal growth

Wafer processing

Industry engagement

Fundraising / funding

Leadership

Descripción del empleo

Position Specifications

Director, Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance (SCIA) Office of the Senior Vice President for Research (OSVPR) and the Materials Research Institute (MRI). The Pennsylvania State University Position Overview The Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance (SCIA) at Penn State Materials Research Institute seeks a dynamic and entrepreneurial leader to serve as its next Director. SCIA is an industry-engaged research alliance focused on advancing silicon carbide (SiC) materials, crystal growth, wafer processing, and device-relevant technologies critical to next-generation power electronics, energy systems, and national security applications. The Director will lead a rapidly growing, externally funded research enterprise that integrates university research strengths with industry needs. This role requires a strategic builder who can expand industrial membership, secure government funding, and translate technical capabilities into impactful collaborations. SCIA operates at the intersection of academia, industry, and government, and is closely aligned with Penn State’s broader leadership in semiconductors, materials science, and workforce development.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Growth
• Develop and execute a multi-year strategic vision to grow SCIA’s technical capabilities, membership, and national visibility
• Expand SCIA’s industrial consortium model, including recruitment and retention of member companies
• Identify emerging opportunities in SiC and wide bandgap semiconductors and position SCIA for leadership
• Research Development & Funding
• Lead proposal development for federal agencies (e.g., DoD, DOE, NSF) and large-scale initiatives
• Build and manage a diversified funding portfolio spanning industry, federal, and state sources
• Translate industry needs into funded research programs and collaborative projects
• Industry Engagement & Partnerships
• Serve as the primary liaison between SCIA and industry partners while working closely with the MRI Industrial Liaison and Penn State Corporate Engagement Center for member recruitment
• Develop long-term strategic partnerships with semiconductor manufacturers, suppliers, and end users
• Operations & Financial Management
• Oversee budgets across multiple projects and funding streams, ensuring financial sustainability and transparency
• Manage center operations, including staffing, facilities utilization, and reporting requirements
• Implement performance metrics and reporting structures aligned with stakeholder expectations
• Team Leadership & Workforce Development
• Lead and mentor interdisciplinary teams of faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture
• Support workforce development initiatives aligned with semiconductor manufacturing and materials innovation
• Research Translation & Impact
• Accelerate the transition of research outcomes into industry-relevant solutions
• Support intellectual property development, technology transfer, and commercialization pathways
• Promote SCIA capabilities nationally through workshops, consortia, and technical forums

Qualifications

• Required: Demonstrated expertise in silicon carbide (SiC) materials, crystal growth, wafer processing, or closely related semiconductor technologies
• Required: Proven track record of securing and managing externally funded research/manufacturing programs
• Required: Experience working with or within industry, including collaborative R&D or product development
• Required: Strong leadership and organizational skills, with experience managing teams and complex projects
• Required: Excellent communication skills and ability to engage stakeholders across academia, industry, and government
• Preferred: Significant industrial experience (10+ years) in semiconductor manufacturing, materials processing, or related fields
• Preferred: Experience leading or participating in industry consortia or research alliances
• Preferred: Demonstrated success in building partnerships and growing membership-based organizations
• Preferred: Experience managing shared research infrastructure or core facilities

Professor of Practice Opportunity

Penn State welcomes candidates from industry who bring deep practical experience and leadership in semiconductor technologies. Candidates may be considered for appointment as Professor of Practice, a non-tenure-track faculty title designed for individuals with extensive industry leadership experience. Per Penn State guidelines, Professor of Practice candidates typically: Possess 10+ years of high-level experience in industry or government Are nationally or internationally recognized for their contributions Bring a unique ability to bridge academic research and real-world application A terminal academic degree is not required for this appointment.

Reporting Structure and Environment

The Director will report to the leadership of the Materials Research Institute and work closely with the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and Office of the VP for Research. The position interfaces broadly with Penn State colleges, core facilities, and external partners. SCIA benefits from proximity to world‑class infrastructure, including materials synthesis, characterization, and semiconductor processing facilities, enabling end‑to‑end innovation from crystal growth to device‑relevant testing.

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines

There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land‑grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.