Scholar in Residence - Director, IBM HBCU Quantum Center

Howard University

Washington (District of Columbia)

On-site

USD 200,000 - 250,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

Work-Life Balance

Financial Wellness

Professional Development

Additional Perks

Job summary

Howard University invites applications for the position of Scholar in Residence (Director) of the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center. The University seeks a visionary internationally recognized scholar-leader to run one of the nation’s most important initiatives at the intersection of quantum information science, HBCU research excellence, workforce development, and broadening participation in emerging technologies.

The successful candidate will maintain an active, externally funded research program while

Qualifications

Ph.D. in a STEM field required.
Experience leading quantum research or education programs preferred.
Ability to secure external funding and manage sponsored research.

Responsibilities

Advance strategic growth, research excellence, workforce development and long-term sustainability of the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center.
Work full-time at Howard University, dedicating 40 hours per week to the Center.
Lead and advance research and development activities aligned with the Center’s mission.
Collaborate with the Center PI, staff, and sponsors; prepare technical and programmatic reports; develop high-impact research papers.
Develop research collaborations, seminars, workshops, and related academic initiatives.
Mentor students and postdoctoral researchers affiliated with the Center.

Skills

Leadership

Research leadership

Mentoring

Strategic planning

Partnership building

Education

Ph.D. in STEM

Job description

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff "for fit" makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here Is What We Offer

Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support

Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements

Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match

Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths

Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

Basic Function

The successful candidate will maintain an active, externally funded research program while providing strategic, administrative, and intellectual leadership for the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center. The Scholar in Residence (Director) will shape and execute bold research, education, and partnership vision that advances Howard University’s leadership in quantum science and engineering and strengthens the broader HBCU quantum ecosystem.

The Scholar in Residence (Director) will lead the Center’s next phase of growth by expanding research capacity, building sustainable funding streams, deepening IBM and external partnerships, developing student and faculty talent pipelines, and positioning the Center as a national and global model for inclusive excellence in quantum information science and engineering.

SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY: NA

Nature And Scope

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities

The Scholar in Residence (Director) at Howard University’s IBM-HBCU Quantum Center will support project execution and devote 40 hours per week to the Center. Key responsibilities include:

Advance the strategic growth, research excellence, workforce development, and long-term sustainability of the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center.

Work full-time at Howard University, dedicating 40 hours per week to the Center.

Lead and advance research and development activities aligned with the Center’s mission.

Collaborate with the Center PI, staff, and stakeholders on daily operations; prepare technical and programmatic reports for sponsors and funding agencies; and develop high-impact research papers for journals and conferences.

Develop research collaborations, seminars, workshops, and related academic initiatives.

Support mentoring for students and postdoctoral researchers affiliated with the Center.

Work closely with the designated Principal Investigator to support Center operations and develop, prepare, and submit proposals for external research funding and related sponsored initiatives.

Teach approximately one to two CEA courses per semester, as needed.

Lead initiatives that increase the number of HBCU students earning quantum-related credentials, participating in research experiences, and transitioning into graduate programs, national laboratories, and quantum technology careers.

Expand the Center’s research impact through high-quality peer-reviewed publications, collaborative research programs, and competitive external funding from federal agencies, industry, foundations, and philanthropic organizations.

Implement an engagement strategy that promotes active participation and measurable contributions from students, faculty, researchers, and staff across all 27 member institutions in the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center network.

Establish a performance-driven management framework with clear accountability, measurable research and educational outcomes, annual metrics, and continuous assessment of Center-wide progress and impact.

Collaborate with Howard University leadership, IBM, and Center stakeholders to develop and execute a five-year sustainability plan that secures future funding, strengthens institutional support, expands research capacity, and advances Howard University’s leadership in quantum information science.

Position the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center as a nationally recognized model for inclusive excellence, innovation, workforce development, and research leadership in quantum information science and engineering.

Develop and implement a strategic vision and roadmap that aligns the Center’s activities with Howard University’s research mission, IBM-HBCU Quantum Center priorities, federal quantum initiatives, and the evolving quantum technology landscape.

Build and sustain a diversified QISE research funding portfolio to support Center growth, including major proposals to federal agencies, foundations, industry partners, national laboratories, and philanthropic sponsors. Serve as Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator on externally funded research programs and support collaborative proposals involving Howard faculty, HBCU partner institutions, students, and external collaborators.

Cultivate strategic partnerships with IBM, federal agencies, national laboratories, industry, foundations, HBCUs, minority-serving institutions, research universities, professional societies, and international quantum centers. Represent Howard University and the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center in state, national, and international forums.

Lead workforce development and student training initiatives that prepare Howard and HBCU students for careers in quantum information science and engineering, including research experiences, internships, workshops, short courses, curriculum development, certificate programs, summer programs, hackathons, industry engagement, and graduate school pathways.

Support translational and applied quantum research in areas such as quantum algorithms, quantum software, hybrid classical-quantum workflows, quantum sensing, quantum communication, quantum materials, optimization, cybersecurity, AI-enabled quantum systems, and other emerging applications.

Lead center-scale, multi-investigator, and multi-institutional proposal development efforts, and strengthen partnerships with federal agencies, national laboratories, industry, foundations, HBCUs, MSIs, research universities, and international quantum centers.

Develop a diversified funding portfolio that includes federal grants, industry partnerships, foundation support, philanthropic investment, and workforce development awards. Exercise Principal Investigator privileges to submit and lead externally funded proposals through Howard University, manage sponsored research awards, supervise research personnel, and direct Center-affiliated research activities consistent with university policy.

Expand quantum research capacity at Howard University and across the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center network. Strengthen the Center’s partnership with IBM and identify new opportunities for collaboration, training, hardware access, research engagement, and student professional development.

Advance workforce development and talent pipelines that position Howard University and HBCUs as national leaders in quantum education and innovation. Recruit, mentor, and support faculty affiliates, research staff, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers.

Oversee Center operations, budgets, reporting, compliance, communications, assessment, and strategic planning. Represent Howard University and the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center at national and international meetings, advisory boards, consortia, conferences, and public engagements. Promote a culture of research excellence, mentorship, inclusion, innovation, collaboration, and accountability.

Perform other related duties assigned by the Principal Investigator, particularly those involving research training, mentoring, and interdisciplinary projects.

Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor and Center PI.

Core Competencies

A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in engineering, computer science, physics chemistry, materials science, applied mathematics, or a closely related STEM field.

A strong record of peer-reviewed high impact research and scholarship in quantum information science, quantum computing, quantum engineering, quantum sensing, quantum communication, quantum materials, quantum algorithms, quantum software, or a related area.

Demonstrated ability to lead externally funded research as a Principal Investigator or major project leader.

Evidence of national or international visibility in quantum science, engineering, computing, or technology.

Experience building or leading interdisciplinary research teams, centers, institutes, large-scale projects, or multi-institutional collaborations.

A record of mentoring undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career scientists, or junior faculty.

Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

Demonstrated commitment to broadening participation in STEM and advancing the mission of Howard University as a leading historically Black research university.

Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.

Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented interdisciplinary environment.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants should have received a Ph.D. (or similar doctoral degree) in one of the following disciplines: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or similar STEM areas.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred candidates will have experience leading quantum research or education programs at scale; developing center-level proposals; working with agencies such as NSF, DOE, DOD, NIST, NASA, NIH, or related sponsors; collaborating with industry and national laboratories; managing corporate research partnerships; and building multi-institutional HBCU or MSI research networks.

Additional preferred experience includes work in applied or translational quantum computing; quantum software platforms; quantum algorithms; hybrid classical-quantum workflows; quantum sensing; quantum communications; quantum materials; cybersecurity; optimization; AI-enabled quantum systems; commercialization; technology transfer; entrepreneurship; or workforce development.

Experience supervising center staff, managing budgets, supporting sponsored research compliance, developing strategic plans, and representing a major research center to external stakeholders is strongly preferred.

Expected Outcomes

A successful Scholar in Residence (Director) will be expected to: