Executive Director, QCORE

Montana State University; Town of Montana (WI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University’s QCORE seeks an Executive Director to lead a national quantum research initiative. You will guide strategic direction, foster industry and academic partnerships, and advance the center’s mission to translate quantum science into tangible outcomes.

The role requires a Doctorate or equivalent experience, proven leadership of a research program, and success in securing federal grants or related funding. Extensive travel and collaboration across partners are expected.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Engineering, or related field, or an equivalent terminal degree.
• Proven strategic leadership of a research center or similar entity.
• Proven experience in federal research grants, fundraising, or business development.

Responsibilities

• Position QCORE to be nationally recognized as a top R&D center for quantum tech.
• Develop and implement long-term sustainability and governance.
• Build and maintain relationships with federal agencies, donors, and industry.
• Lead initiatives to diversify funding with grants and partnerships.
• Ensure compliance with legal and safety standards.
• Oversee staff, budgeting, facilities, and operations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising experience

Federal grant experience

Education

PhD in Physics, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
Preferred start by January 11, 2027
Applicants will be required to list a minimum of five references during the application process.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27046

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

QCORE seeks a strategic leader to build and sustain an organization that advances research and scientific discovery.

Position Number

Position Number 4C0093

Department

Department Physics

Division

Division College of Letters & Science

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

The Executive Director of QCORE serves as the head of a university-wide research institute and works closely with affiliated faculty and staff to build and lead a successful program advancing research and scientific discovery in quantum science, engineering, and business.
QCORE’s primary objective is to empower Montana’s quantum ecosystem by uniting cutting-edge research, industry partnerships, and community engagement – enabling breakthrough technologies that shape the future of quantum innovation. The vision of QCORE is to lead Montana’s transformation into a global powerhouse for quantum-enabled technologies by 2035, fostering economic growth, academic excellence and a resilient, future-focused workforce.
QCORE exists to steward the development of transformative quantum technologies in service to the common good. QCORE will help students plan for careers in quantum and quantum-enabling systems and will support transitioning into those careers through strategic partnerships with Montana’s growing quantum industry. Strategic partnerships serve as the mechanism for QCORE to strengthen relationships between industry, research and innovators – growing collaboration and creating shared opportunities for beneficial technology innovations.
Pending approval of research center status, QCORE is housed in The College of Letters & Science ( CLS ), the largest center for learning, teaching and research at Montana State University. CLS offers students an excellent liberal arts and sciences education in nearly 50 majors, 25 minors and over 25 graduate degrees within the four areas of the humanities, natural sciences, mathematical, and social sciences.
Building on the great strength of our traditional disciplines, the college provides exciting opportunities for faculty and students at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary inquiry. CLS is dedicated to supporting student success, discovering and disseminating new knowledge, and providing an atmosphere in which discovery and learning are integrated and valued. CLS is at the confluence of intellectual tradition, discovery, and innovation.
When research center status is finalized for QCORE , the center will be in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategically position QCORE to be a nationally recognized, best-in-class research and development center for advancement of quantum technology, a leader in quantum workforce development and a deeply integrated innovation ecosystem that supports the translation of quantum and related technologies to industry.
• Develop and implement long-term strategies to improve QCORE’s overall sustainability, effectiveness, and responsiveness to the needs of sponsoring organizations and companies in the state, region, nation, and internationally.
• Develop and maintain a best-in-class governance structure for QCORE .
• Build and nurture long-term relationships with key stakeholders, including federal agencies, individual donors, institutional funders, congressional representatives, and corporate partners.
• Build strategic alliances and partnerships with other testbeds, academic institutions, corporations, and governments to expand QCORE’s reach, visibility, and impact.
• Lead efforts to secure sustainable funding through partnerships, campaigns, and new initiatives to diversify the organization’s revenue (e.g., federal and private grants, federal cooperative awards, donations, industrial partnerships, social enterprises). This includes engagement with our legislature.
• Participate in sector-specific organizations relevant to quantum technologies and quantum supply chain, including standards development and testbed communities of practice. Present at national and international gatherings of experts in these respective fields.
• Leads efforts to ensure that QCORE remains a vital part of MSU’s land‑grant mission, promoting quantum science and economic development in Montana, the region, and nation, and providing practical learning opportunities for students.
• Support QCORE faculty and scientists seeking and obtaining external funding to promote innovation, discovery, and dissemination of quantum science and technology.
• Ensure operational excellence, overseeing all aspects of budgeting, accounting, personnel, facilities, security, and safety.
• Ensure that QCORE complies with all legal, regulatory, safety, and ethical standards at local, national, and international levels.
• Ensure that QCORE meets all required grant reporting requirements.
• Coordinate with QCORE’s leadership team to lead and mentor staff, fostering a positive, collaborative, and mission-driven organizational culture.
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of program outcomes to measure success and inform future strategies at a national and international level.
• Prioritize sustainability in all programs and initiatives, ensuring long-term environmental, social, and financial viability.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• PhD in Physics, Engineering, or a related field, or a terminal degree with equivalent industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic leadership of a research center or related entity, or business.
• Demonstrated experience in federal research grant-seeking, fundraising, or business development.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• A demonstrated record of scientific or business innovation.
• Demonstrated experience with technology transfer.
• Experience navigating or contributing to the mission of a land‑grant university, including economic development, outreach, and workforce training.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Have knowledge of the disciplines and programs represented in QCORE and a commitment to our vision.
• A record of positive staff and personnel relations and interactions.
• A creative and approachable manner that kindles the innovative spirit of others.
• A strong ability to communicate effectively as exemplified by the candidates’ writing, speaking, and listening skills.
• Demonstrated accomplishments in research, scholarship, and innovative partnerships.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This position is contingent upon continued grant funding.
This is a full-time position with extensive travel required for regional, national, and international events and partnership meetings. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support onsite event management.
Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. citizen.
All QCORE employees may be required to meet NIST 800-53 requirements for access to Controlled Unclassified Information ( CUI ). This position may require the ability to obtain a DoD Security Clearance.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?

This position has supervisory duties? Yes

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date At the conclusion of a successful search

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
Preferred start by January 11, 2027
Applicants will be required to list a minimum of five references during the application process.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).