Research Scientist / Senior Director of the CNI Labs

The Columbia Nano Initiative (CNI) seeks an outstanding candidate to fill one opening for the position of Senior Director of the CNI Labs at the rank of Research Scientist. Reporting to the Scientific Director of the Columbia Nano Initiative (CNI), the Research Scientist will actively participate in multidisciplinary CNI research programs in close collaboration with CNI-affiliated faculty and researchers.

The Director of CNI Shared Laboratory Facilities, which include the cleanroom, electron microscopy facilities, the shared materials characterization facilities, and any newly developed facilities as needed will assist principal investigators (PIs) in their research and utilization of shared facilities and equipment, serving as a key strategic partner and subject-matter expert in equipment operation, configuration, capabilities, and maintenance to ensure high-quality research outcomes.

The Research Scientist will provide guidance and expertise in various aspects of laboratories operation. Additionally, they will be responsible for the operational and financial management of the laboratories, collaborating closely with the Shared Facilities Committee and the CNI Executive Committee to ensure safe and effective operations, maintain necessary IT systems, and comply with all university and government regulations.

The Research Scientist will also oversee modifications to available space as needed for new equipment, working with Columbia Facilities staff and contractors. They will ensure a safe laboratory environment and foster collaboration with Columbia University's Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) office.

Additionally, the Research Scientist will continue to develop and lead external user programs, oversee lab budgets, and facilitate lab operation costs through user fees in collaboration with the CNI finance office. They will also maintain long-term plans for equipment, maintenance, and staffing and contribute to grant applications for new equipment and large center grant proposals.

The Research Scientist may also collaborate on research activities within the Columbia Nano Initiative, particularly those requiring specialized expertise in the Shared Laboratory Facilities. She/he may also lead proposal development efforts and serve as PI or Co-PI on proposals as needed.

Key Responsibilities

Research Collaboration

• Actively collaborates on multidisciplinary research programs involving CNI-affiliated faculty and researchers from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, as well as faculty and researchers at affiliated institutions. She/he should also possess the ability to foster interdisciplinary research, manage internal and external research relationships, and to participate in the mentorship of junior scientists.
• Serves as a subject-matter expert in the operation, configuration, capabilities, and maintenance of CNI Shared Laboratory equipment and assists in interpreting experimental results.
• Ensures high-quality scientific outcomes for research activities in the Shared Facilities.
• Ensures safe operation and full compliance with university and regulatory policies for all CNI facilities.
• Trains laboratory users in safe and effective equipment operation.
• Supervises Staff Associates, Senior Staff Associates, and administrative officers responsible for lab operations.

Experimental Design

• Serves as a key strategic partner for PIs and researchers in designing and implementing experiments utilizing Shared Laboratory equipment.
• Ensures the technical team provides guidance on equipment operation, settings, capabilities, and interpretation of experimental results.

Proposal Development

• Proactively collaborates with faculty to develop proposals for facility development and expansion.
• Assists colleagues in preparing grant proposals for new and continuing research programs.
• Leverages expertise with Shared Laboratory equipment to assess the feasibility of research goals utilizing existing and proposed facilities.

Laboratory Management

• Provides operational leadership for the Shared Laboratory Facilities, ensuring the proper functioning of all equipment through routine maintenance and necessary repairs.
• Manages and optimizes space utilization in collaboration with the CNI Director of Finance and Administration.
• Develops and maintains laboratory management programs for logging and controlling instrument access while ensuring accurate charge-back and billing information.
• Maintains laboratory communications, including website updates.
• Ensures the creation and ongoing updates of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all facilities.
• Collaborates with university entities, including Columbia Facilities, EH&S, and Public Safety, to ensure safe and efficient laboratory operations.

Financial Management

• Monitors overall budgets and manages expenses for the Shared Laboratory Facilities.
• Oversees charge-back accounts and provides annual and interim reports to CNI leadership.
• Negotiates and monitors service contracts for CNI facilities.
• Develops and maintains a charge system compliant with government regulations and financial plans for each facility.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports directly to the CNI Scientific Director.
• Accountable to the CNI Shared Facilities Committee and the CNI Executive Committee.

Supervisory and Management Responsibilities

• Manages and supervises the staff of the CNI Shared Labs Facilities, including Staff Associates, Senior Staff Associates, and administrative officers directly involved in laboratory operations.

For the rank of Research Scientist, the equivalency is with the qualifications and contributions of an Associate Professor. Offers at the Research Scientist level are contingent upon review and approval of the academic review committees and candidates should take this additional time into consideration.

Qualifications

A Ph.D. or its professional equivalent is required. Experience of at least five years of working in a cleanroom lab, and familiarity with materials characterization techniques and electron microscopy are also required. A minimum of three years of people management experience is necessary. For the rank of Research Scientist, the equivalency is with the qualifications and contributions of an Associate Professor

Preferred Qualifications

Ten or more years of extensive professional experience in laboratory management, including supervising interdisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers. We seek applicants with a strong background and leadership skills.

Additional desired qualifications include:

• Strong technical experience in conventional cleanroom processes used for electronic and mechanical device fabrication.
• Understanding of new and modern laboratory-scale fabrication processes required for state-of-the-art fabrication, including thin film deposition, electron microscopy, electron beam lithography, nanoimprint lithography, and reactive ion etching.
• Excellent interpersonal, managerial, and communication skills.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of users, preferably in an academic settings.

Other highly desired attributes include:

• Excellent analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of safety and hazardous waste protocols.
• Ability to exercise mature judgment and initiative.
• Understanding of the operations and characteristics of physical plants and facilities.
• Excellent presentation skills.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.