Senior Research & Operations Manager

New York University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Research & Operations Manager at New York University leads the shared soft materials characterization and processing facility, guiding scientific, technical, and strategic directions for users across academia and industry.

This role blends hands-on expertise with responsibility for operations, equipment development, external engagement, and mentoring researchers, as NYU advances its capabilities and long-term sustainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years hands-on experience in soft materials characterization or facility management.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for a soft materials characterization and processing facility.
• Interface between faculty, students, postdocs, and external partners.
• Oversee facility operations, equipment development, and sustainability initiatives.
• Mentor and train researchers and external users; develop SOPs and safety protocols.

Skills

Soft matter characterization

Instrumentation

Method development

Mentoring/training

Vendor coordination

Data management

Budgeting

Facility metrics

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's or PhD in Chemical Eng/Materials Sci

Job description

Position Summary

The Senior Research & Operations Manager provides scientific, technical, and strategic leadership for a shared soft materials characterization and processing facility that supports faculty, graduate students, postdocs, and external users. This role combines hands‑on expertise in advanced characterization and manufacturing techniques with responsibility for facility operations, equipment development, industrial engagement, and mentoring/training of researchers. Serve as a key interface between academic researchers, students, and external partners, while advancing the facility’s capabilities, visibility, and long‑term sustainability.

Qualifications

Required Education: Bachelor's Degree in a related areaPreferred Education: Master's degree or Ph.D in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field.Required Experience: 5+ years Hands‑on experience with soft materials characterization and processing, or equivalent facility management experience. Demonstrated experience with advanced instrumentation, method development, and user training.Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: Deep technical knowledge of soft matter characterization techniques (rheology, microscopy, scattering, thermal analysis, etc.) and processing methods. Proven ability to develop SOPs, safety protocols, and to manage shared instrumentation. Strong troubleshooting skills and experience coordinating with vendors for maintenance and commissioning. Excellent communication and mentoring skills for training graduate students, postdocs, and external users. Experience tracking facility metrics, budgeting, and contributing to sustainability plans.Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: Prior experience building industry partnerships, managing fee‑for‑service operations, or contributing to capital planning. Demonstrated record of contributing to publications, proposals, or collaborative research projects. Familiarity with data management best practices and institutional data privacy/security procedures.

Additional Information

In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is USD $130,000.00 to USD $150,000.00. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses, clinical compensation, or other items. NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/nyugreen.NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply at all levels.