Research Program Associate Director

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title:

Research Program Associate Director

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Res Prog Assoc Dir (C)

Job Duties:

The Research Program Associate Director assists with the oversight and strategic planning for a center or program and may assist with directing a variety of research activities. Allocates resources, secures funding, and supervises staff to ensure program strategies and activities align with the institutional mission.

Specifically, the person in this position will be part of the Lake Superior Research Institute (LSRI) team and is responsible for obtaining grants, contracts, and other sources of extramural funds that capitalize on current research staff expertise and existing laboratory infrastructure to support both existing projects or programs or new offshoot projects or programs within LSRI’s core research. In addition, the Associate Director will develop the internal capacity for acquiring research funding by helping, training, and supporting LSRI staff on grant and project development and management.

A successful candidate possesses a combination of strong scientific background, research experience, and leadership skills. Essential qualifications include a relevant advanced degree, experience in acquiring funding, research program management and development, and proven ability to manage teams and projects. Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills are also crucial.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Serve as a consultant to project directors and provides technical expertise to research and operational personnel.

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.

• Manages large research projects for a center or program.

• Determines unit personnel needs and the unit personnel resource allocation plan.

• Collaborates with project directors and the full range of clients whose knowledge and expertise varies.

• Serves as a unit liaison to internal stakeholder groups to foster cross-unit partnership efforts regarding research programs and activities.

• Assists with planning, implementation, and management of strategic initiatives for a center or program.

Department: Lake Superior Research Institute

Reports to: Research Center Director

Full-Time: 100%, Academic Staff, 12-month ongoing appointment, one vacancy

UW Standard Job Responsibilities:

• Manages large research projects for a center or program.
• Serves as a unit liaison to internal stakeholder groups to foster cross-unit partnership efforts regarding research programs and activities.
• Collaborates with project directors and the full range of clients whose knowledge and expertise varies.
• Determines unit personnel needs and the unit personnel resource allocation plan.
• Serve as a consultant to project directors and provides technical expertise to research and operational personnel.
• Assists with planning, implementation, and management of strategic initiatives for a center or program.
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.

Other Duties:

• Complete required trainings and professional development as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skilled in securing funding from various sources, including federal, state, and tribal agencies, private businesses and foundations.
• Proven record of research accomplishments, including publications in peer-reviewed journals and successful grant writing.
• Ability to communicate ideas effectively verbally, in writing, and using technology.
• Skilled in effectively developing and maintaining professional relationships and networks at local, state, federal, and tribal levels.
• Ability to manage research projects, including budget management and reporting.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans for research programs and associated outreach.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a highly dynamic environment.
• Ability to effectively manage time, resources, and information to achieve goals.
• Maintains knowledge of significant developments in scientific fields relevant to the research mission of the LSRI and UWS.
• Ability to work in an extramural funded organization as part of a small campus.
• Willingness to serve the mission of UWS and LSRI by being a representative at activities such as Lake Superior Day, St. Louis River Summit, or Campus Preview Days.
• Ability to drive a vehicle for the purpose of conducting university business and meet the criteria for operation of state-owned-vehicles – Policy 615 .

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of Master of Science degree in a natural resource (e.g. aquatic ecology, limnology, environmental toxicology, environmental science) or similarly related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience with a proven track record of securing funding from extramural sources leading to support a research team.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading multi-disciplinary research staff.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated success managing extramural funds and budgets, within the natural resources or water resources area.
• Valid driver's license.

This position is currently ineligible for H1-B sponsorship. A qualification for this position includes independent eligibility to work within the United States upon hire date.

Desirable Qualifications:

• PhD in a natural resource (e.g. aquatic ecology, limnology, environmental toxicology, environmental science) or similarly related field.
• Familiar with Laurentian Great Lakes environmental challenges and research.

Compensation & Benefits: Salary range for this position is: $82,000 - $88,000 annually. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf .

Starting Date: As soon as possible.

Contact Information:

For additional information about UW-Superior, visit www.uwsuper.edu ;

For additional information about this position, contact Michelle Seiler at mseiler3@uwsuper.edu .

Application Process:

Review of all complete applications will commence at 4:30pm on January 8, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

How to Apply:

Please click the “Apply” button to begin the application process or visit https://www.uwsuper.edu/about/employment/ . You will be required to log in or create a Workday account to continue.

As part of the application process, you will be required to upload the documents listed below. Applications will not be considered complete unless all required materials are submitted:

1.) Cover Letter

2.) Resume

3.) Unofficial transcripts of all degrees earned

UW-Superior, A Superior Place:

The University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identities of ‘final candidates’ must be revealed upon request. According to the Attorney General, ‘final candidates’ under Wisconsin law means the five candidates who are considered most qualified for the position. See Wis. Stat. Sec. 19.36(7)(a).

Employment will require a criminal background check, and if you have prior work history within the last seven years with Universities of Wisconsin or State of Wisconsin agencies, a personnel file review check for employee misconduct. It will also require your references to answer questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University reserves the right to check references with notice given to the candidates at the appropriate time in the process.

Employment is subject to federal laws that require verification of identity and legal right to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

For UW-Superior campus safety information and crime statistics, review the Annual Security Report or contact the University Police Department Safety at 715-394-8114 for a printed copy.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.