ND EPSCoR Executive Director

North Dakota State University (NDSU) is seeking a new Executive Director for the North Dakota Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (ND EPSCoR) office.  ND EPSCoR plays a vital role statewide by building research capacity, broadening participation, enhancing the research productivity, competitiveness and national recognition of North Dakota’s scientists and engineers, increasing participation in STEM, research and at all stages of the educational pipeline, and advances economic development. The ND EPSCoR Executive Director’s duties include supporting the Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Track-1 cooperative agreement and its activities and personnel as well as non-RII Track-1 statewide programming under the auspices of ND EPSCoR. NDSU, a Carnegie R1 “doctoral very high research activity” university, serves as the prime for the award, partnering with fellow research university and ND University System (NDUS) member University of North Dakota, the predominantly undergraduate institutions in the NDUS system (9 institutions) and the ND Tribal College System (NDTCS; 5 institutions). 

The successful hire will lead and participate in building the state office and help facilitate and build existing relationships with state partners. The new Executive Director will support the current project, and help guide the new State Science and Technology Plan (building on important work done by the ND EPSCoR State Steering Committee) and the development of the new RII Track-1 proposal with anticipated submission in Summer 2024. With strong state support and recent legislating indicating EPSCoR jurisdictions remain a high priority in the federal context, this is a rare opportunity to leverage strong support from multiple sources.  We are especially interested in candidates with exceptional relationship-building and listening skills; a robust record of equitable partnerships with Tribal Colleges and Universities; and excellent strengths in communication within and across groups with differing expertise and priorities. This job is not a remote or hybrid position and does require some travel.

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with experience

Additional Responsibilities:

• Science of Teams
  • Provide excellent relationship management appropriate to the multiple complex relationships inherent in projects characterized by multi-institutional programs/projects and teams;
  • Communicate in a highly effective and appropriate fashion with audiences representing different constituencies and interests, including state to federal lawmakers, college and university presidents, funders and oversight agencies, as well as individual faculty and staff;
  • Collaborate with public and private entities to establish goals and pursue achievement of researcher and commercialization goals consistent with state goals and strategies;
• Leadership
  • Effectively and efficiently make decisions and communicate those decisions to appropriate constituents;
  • Run the unit and the project(s) collaboratively, with excellent oversight of project management and resolution of conflict or competing priorities;
  • Consistently forecast and plan strategically for the near-, mid- and long-term for ND EPSCoR and associated projects, especially with respect to current or future RII Track-1 awards;
• Project Management
  • Engage the RII Track-1 PIs, senior personnel and team leads for NSF EPSCoR project(s);
  • Provide oversight to ensure successful implementation of the current NSF EPSCoR award(s), including oversight of the component leaders and budget;
  • Provide financial/budgetary responsibility to ensure efficient and effective processes;
  • Provide oversight for data collection and timely reporting; and

• Other duties as assign

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a discipline funded by the National Science Foundation
• Prior experience working on NSF-funded programs
• Demonstrated experience in managing large multi-institutional programs/projects and teams
• Demonstrated experience creating and managing education/outreach initiatives
• Knowledge of the nation's STEM education and workforce training directions and priorities
• Demonstrated communication and writing skills
• Demonstrated experience in the Science of Teams
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Effective administrative/budget skills
• Demonstrated leadership and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Preferred qualifications:

• Terminal degree in field of study
• Exceptional relationship-building and listening skills
• Robust record of equitable partnerships with Tribal Colleges and Universities
• Excellent strengths in communication within and across groups with differing expertise and priorities.
• Knowledge of NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) programs
• A minimum of four years working on and/or managing an NSF program/project
• Demonstrated experience managing and implementing research initiatives
• Demonstrated experience creating and managing commercialization and/or industry partnerships
• Experience with data collection and reporting
• Experience in research development
• Experience in supporting and even coaching individuals/teams to achieve goals and success, particularly in a university context
• Working knowledge of state-wide capabilities and directions in research, STEM education and economic development
• Knowledge and experience of diverse perspectives on educational issues.

NDSU Land Acknowledgement

We collectively acknowledge that we gather at NDSU, a land grant institution, on the traditional lands of the Oceti Sakowin (Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda) and Anishinaabe Peoples in addition to many diverse Indigenous Peoples still connected to these lands. We honor with gratitude Mother Earth and the Indigenous Peoples who have walked with her throughout generations. We will continue to learn how to live in unity with Mother Earth and build strong, mutually beneficial, trusting relationships with Indigenous Peoples of our region.

Application Process:
Any questions about the search can be directed to the search committee at ndsu.rcasearch@ndsu.edu. While applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled, full consideration will be given to candidates who submit application materials by end of day February 19, 2023. Applications accepted online at https://www.ndsu.edu/employment.