Director, Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

Penn State University seeks a dynamic Director for the Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance (SCIA) within MRI/OSVPR. Lead a growing, externally funded research enterprise translating SiC capabilities into industry collaborations and national impact.

The role requires building membership, securing government funding, and guiding strategic initiatives across academia, industry, and government. Penn State emphasizes workforce development and core facilities that enable end-to-end innovation.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

SiC materials

Externally funded programs

Industry collaboration

Leadership

Communication

Strategic planning

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

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
• Proven track record of securing and managing externally funded research/manufacturing programs
• Experience working with or within industry, including collaborative R&D or product development
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with experience managing teams and complex projects
• 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
• Experience leading or participating in industry consortia or research alliances
• Demonstrated success in building partnerships and growing membership-based organizations
• 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

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.

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.

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