Senior Research & Operations Manager

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

Job summary

New York University seeks a Senior Research & Operations Manager to lead a shared soft materials characterization and processing facility. You will blend hands-on technique with strategic oversight of operations, equipment development, industry engagement, and mentoring researchers.

The role interfaces with faculty, graduate students, postdocs, and external partners to advance capabilities, ensure safety, and promote sustainability and growth of the facility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with soft materials characterization or equivalent facility management.
• Experience with advanced instrumentation, method development, and user training.
• Strong troubleshooting and vendor coordination skills.
• Excellent communication and mentoring abilities for training researchers.
• Experience tracking facility metrics, budgeting, and contributing to sustainability plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific, technical, and strategic leadership for a soft materials facility.
• Oversee facility operations, equipment development, and sustainability planning.
• Mentor graduate students, postdocs, and external users.
• Coordinate with vendors for maintenance and commissioning.
• Interface between academic researchers, students, and external partners.

Skills

Soft matter characterization

Mentoring & training

Communication skills

Troubleshooting & vendor coordination

Data management practices

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a related field

Master's degree or Ph.D in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, or related field

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 area Preferred 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.