Strategic Director, Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

Penn State University seeks a dynamic Director for the Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance (SCIA) within MRI/OSVPR. Lead a growing, externally funded research enterprise translating SiC capabilities into industry collaborations and national impact.

The role requires building membership, securing government funding, and guiding strategic initiatives across academia, industry, and government. Penn State emphasizes workforce development and core facilities that enable end-to-end innovation.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in silicon carbide (SiC) materials, crystal growth, wafer processing, or closely related semiconductor technologies.
• Proven track record of securing and managing externally funded research/manufacturing programs.
• Experience working with or within industry, including collaborative R&D or product development.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with experience managing teams and complex projects.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage stakeholders across academia, industry, and government.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a multi-year strategic vision to grow SCIA’s technical capabilities, membership, and national visibility.
• Expand SCIA’s industrial consortium model, including recruitment and retention of member companies.
• Identify emerging opportunities in SiC and wide bandgap semiconductors and position SCIA for leadership.
• Lead proposal development for federal agencies (e.g., DoD, DOE, NSF) and large-scale initiatives.
• Build and manage a diversified funding portfolio spanning industry, federal, and state sources.
• Translate industry needs into funded research programs and collaborative projects.
• Serve as the primary liaison between SCIA and industry partners while working closely with the MRI Industrial Liaison and Penn State Corporate Engagement Center for member recruitment.
• Develop long-term strategic partnerships with semiconductor manufacturers, suppliers, and end users.
• Oversee budgets across multiple projects and funding streams, ensuring financial sustainability and transparency.
• Manage center operations, including staffing, facilities utilization, and reporting requirements.
• Implement performance metrics and reporting structures aligned with stakeholder expectations.
• Lead and mentor interdisciplinary teams of faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture.
• Support workforce development initiatives aligned with semiconductor manufacturing and materials innovation.
• Accelerate the transition of research outcomes into industry-relevant solutions.
• Support intellectual property development, technology transfer, and commercialization pathways.
• Promote SCIA capabilities nationally through workshops, consortia, and technical forums.

Skills

SiC materials

Externally funded programs

Industry collaboration

Leadership

Communication

Strategic planning

Job description

Penn State University seeks a dynamic Director for the Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance (SCIA) within MRI/OSVPR. Lead a growing, externally funded research enterprise translating SiC capabilities into industry collaborations and national impact.

The role requires building membership, securing government funding, and guiding strategic initiatives across academia, industry, and government. Penn State emphasizes workforce development and core facilities that enable end-to-end innovation.