Research and Facilities Program Director

University of Notre Dame; Notre Dame (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Renewable contract

Career development plans

Competitive compensation with benefits

Job summary

The University of Notre Dame seeks a full-time, on-site Research and Facilities Program Director for its Biofabrication Core Facility. This role leads facility operations, integrating biomaterials, 3D printing, and cell biology to advance therapeutic outcomes within the BELS Initiative.

The successful candidate will oversee a multidisciplinary team, manage budgets, and ensure safety and compliance, with opportunities for career development and ongoing training.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in bioengineering or related field; BS with significant or outstanding relevant experience applicable.
• 3D bioprinting, CAD; cell culture & biomaterials; cross-functional collaboration; research project design and oversight (budgets, timelines, deliverables).
• Experience maintaining scientific instruments and facilities; strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish and outfit the new biofabrication laboratory.
• Support biofabrication equipment for a diverse user base (3D printers, bioprinters).
• Work with cell-based constructs and characterize them using molecular biology techniques.
• Assist with project design and execution.
• Manage lab training, safety, and compliance.
• Manage ordering, budgeting, and inventory.
• Coordinate lab meetings and events.

Skills

3D bioprinting

CAD

cell culture

biomaterials

cross-functional collaboration

project design

budget management

Education

MS or PhD in bioengineering

BS with significant relevant experience

Tools

Laboratory instruments management

Job description

The University of Notre Dame, founded in 1842 in Notre Dame, Indiana, is a premier American research university. As a Catholic institution, it uniquely blends faith with intellectual inquiry, striving for excellence in teaching, research, and serving the common good. Notre Dame offers a dynamic and rewarding environment for its diverse community of students, faculty, and staff, who are all dedicated to fostering an inclusive campus and being a force for good in the world. With world-class facilities, acclaimed academic programs, and a strong commitment to innovation and ethical leadership, Notre Dame is an ideal place to make a meaningful impact.

Job Description

The University of Notre Dame seeks a highly qualified scientist or engineer to serve as the full-time, on-site Research and Facilities Program Director (RFPD) of its newly established Biofabrication Core Facility. The RFPD is a member of the Notre Dame Bioengineering & Life Sciences (BELS) Initiative, a key priority of the University’s Strategic Framework within the Office of the Provost, and reports to the BELS Director. It is also part of the University’s broader investment of over $250M into biomedical research on campus.

About The Facility

The Biofabrication Facility is housed in McCourtney Hall East, a newly completed 200,000-square-foot, LEED Platinum-certified building at the heart of Notre Dame's advanced biomedical research infrastructure. Its centralized location gives researchers access to biofabrication equipment, high-resolution cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), and modern flow cytometry in the same complex. Researchers use these spaces for tissue biomodeling, cardiovascular tissue engineering, microscale hydrogel development, and bioprinting techniques that grow complex, functional human tissue models. The facility engages collaborative labs throughout the Notre Dame community.

About The Role

The Research and Facilities Program Director will take a leadership role in facility operations, providing technical expertise at the interface of biomaterials, 3D printing, and cell biology. The facility's overarching goal is to understand the interactions between cells and their microenvironment, and to harness them for therapeutic outcomes. Projects are supported by the BELS Initiative and individual research grants, drawing on a multidisciplinary team of postdocs, students, and support staff spanning biology, engineering, chemistry, and medicine.

Specific Duties

• Establish and outfit the new biofabrication laboratory
• Support a broad range of biofabrication equipment (3D printers, bioprinters) for a diverse user base
• Work with cell-based constructs and characterize them using state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques
• Assist with project design and execution
• Manage lab training, safety, and compliance
• Manage ordering, budgeting, and inventory
• Coordinate lab meetings and events

Training is available to all candidates, and skill development is encouraged. Depending on performance, opportunities may open up in proposal development, manuscript publication, or independent projects.

What We Offer

• A renewable contract with opportunities for continual training and formal career advancement, including increasingly senior titles
• Career development through individual development plans, workshops, and social events
• Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience, plus a generous Notre Dame benefits package

Qualifications

Degree: MS or PhD in bioengineering or a related field. Candidates with a BS and significant / outstanding relevant experience are also encouraged to apply.

Skills: 3D bioprinting & CAD; cell culture & biomaterials; cross-functional collaboration; research project design and oversight (including managing budgets, timelines, and deliverables)

It is anticipated that successful candidates will also have:

• A proven track record of managing and maintaining scientific instruments and facilities;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines;
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with staff, students, faculty and researchers from a variety of scientific backgrounds and the ability to manage conflicts should they arise;
• A demonstrated ability to train, supervise, and direct the work of others;
• Knowledge of laboratory safety regulations and practices; and
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Additional Information

Salary Range: $90,000 to $110,000, commensurate with experience

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.