Critical Materials Crossroads Scientist - Office of Strategic Innovation

Critical Materials Crossroads (CMC) in the Office of Strategic Innovation (OSIN) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).

The Critical Materials Crossroads (CMC) Scientist serves as a technical research professional supporting the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Critical Materials Crossroads Engine, its regional innovation ecosystem, and additional projects funded outside of the NSF. The position conducts and coordinates use-inspired research and development focused on critical minerals, critical materials, and the processes, technologies, and manufacturing systems needed to strengthen a domestic critical materials supply chain. The Scientist works across academic, industry, government, nonprofit, and workforce partners to connect scientific discovery with practical regional and national needs.

The position designs and executes research, develops and validates experimental methods, analyzes and interprets technical data, and contributes to the advancement of technologies from early-stage research toward demonstration and translation. The Scientist also supports collaborative project development, technical reporting, partner engagement, research infrastructure, intellectual property and commercialization pathways, and workforce or experiential learning activities. Consistent with the NSF Engines model, the position is expected to help align research with stakeholder needs, technical and economic feasibility, measurable milestones, and opportunities for regional economic impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, analyze, and document laboratory, pilot-scale, computational, field, or manufacturing-relevant experiments, ensuring scientific rigor, reproducibility, and timely delivery of project milestones.
• Collaborate with academic, industry, government, nonprofit, and workforce partners to define technical requirements, solve multidisciplinary problems, and advance shared research objectives.
• Advance promising technologies from research toward validation, scale-up, demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, or other pathways to practical application and regional economic impact.
• Prepare and communicate technical findings through reports, presentations, publications, sponsor updates, proposals, and other research products for both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Maintain safe, compliant, and effective research operations, including appropriate stewardship of research data, equipment, facilities, confidential information, and sponsor or university requirements.
• Contribute to CMC workforce development and ecosystem-building activities by mentoring students and research personnel, supporting experiential learning, and connecting research capabilities with emerging technical skill needs.
• Track research progress, technical risks, performance measures, and resource needs; communicate issues promptly and recommend evidence-based adjustments to research plans and priorities.

Roles

1. Use-Inspired Critical Materials Research Scientist
2. Research Project and Experimental Lead
3. Technology Development and Translation Contributor
4. Industry and Cross-Sector Technical Collaborator
5. Research Data, Documentation, and Reporting Lead
6. Research Infrastructure, Safety, and Compliance Steward
7. Workforce Development and Technical Mentorship Contributor

Duties

• Research Project and Experimental Lead
  • Develop experimental plans, protocols, test matrices, milestones, and technical deliverables for assigned research activities
  • Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot scientific instrumentation, laboratory systems, pilot equipment, or research tools within the Scientist's area of expertise
  • Analyze experimental results using appropriate statistical, computational, modeling, or data-analysis methods and translate findings into actionable technical recommendations
  • Identify technical risks, research barriers, and resource needs and recommend adjustments to scope, methods, timelines, or priorities
• Technology Development and Translation Contributor
  • Advance promising research outcomes toward validation, scale-up, demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, or other pathways to practice
  • Contribute technical information to technology-readiness assessments, techno-economic analyses, process evaluations, and assessments of technical and economic uncertainty
  • Work with CMC innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry partners to define performance requirements, validation criteria, and next-stage development needs
  • Support invention disclosures, intellectual property documentation, technical due diligence, and other research translation activities as appropriate
• Industry and Cross-Sector Technical Collaborator
  • Collaborate with faculty, researchers, engineers, companies, national laboratories, government agencies, nonprofits, and other CMC partners on multidisciplinary research projects
  • Engage industry and other end users to understand operational requirements, technical constraints, supply-chain challenges, and opportunities for innovation
  • Coordinate technical activities across partner organizations, including sample exchange, testing, data review, demonstrations, and joint research planning
  • Communicate scientific concepts and research results effectively to technical and nontechnical stakeholders
• Research Data, Documentation, and Reporting Lead
  • Maintain complete, accurate, and reproducible research records, experimental documentation, datasets, methods, and technical files
  • Prepare technical reports, presentations, manuscripts, posters, milestone updates, and other research products for CMC leadership, partners, sponsors, and professional audiences
  • Contribute scientific and technical content to NSF reporting, project reviews, proposals, statements of work, and collaborative funding opportunities
  • Track assigned research milestones, outputs, performance measures, and technical dependencies and communicate progress or concerns in a timely manner
• Research Infrastructure, Safety, and Compliance Steward
  • Follow and promote laboratory, environmental, health, safety, research integrity, data management, export control, and other applicable university and sponsor requirements
  • Support development and implementation of standard operating procedures, equipment protocols, quality practices, and safe laboratory or pilot operations
  • Coordinate acquisition, installation, calibration, maintenance, and appropriate use of research equipment and supplies as assigned
  • Protect confidential, proprietary, controlled, and unpublished research information in accordance with applicable agreements and policies
• Workforce Development and Technical Mentorship Contributor
  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to students, interns, technicians, research staff, or partner personnel participating in CMC research activities
  • Contribute to experiential learning, demonstrations, workshops, laboratory training, and other workforce development activities connected to CMC technology priorities
  • Help translate research capabilities and industry needs into technical skills, training topics, and career exposure opportunities for the regional workforce

Expectations

1. Demonstrate scientific rigor, sound technical judgment, and independence in planning and executing assigned research activities
2. Prioritize use-inspired research that responds to stakeholder needs and contributes to CMC's mission of strengthening the domestic critical materials supply chain
3. Produce reproducible, well-documented, and decision-relevant research results while meeting established milestones and deliverables
4. Collaborate effectively across disciplines, institutions, and sectors and contribute to a culture of shared accountability within the CMC innovation ecosystem
5. Actively support translation of promising research toward practical application, scale-up, commercialization, or other pathways to societal and economic impact
6. Maintain high standards for laboratory safety, research integrity, data stewardship, confidentiality, and compliance with university and sponsor requirements
7. Communicate technical progress, risks, findings, and resource needs clearly and promptly to CMC leadership and project stakeholders
8. Adapt research priorities and methods as technical evidence, partner needs, market conditions, and CMC strategic priorities evolve
9. Contribute to workforce development, mentorship, and broad access to research and technical career opportunities within the region
10. Support continuous improvement of CMC research capabilities, collaborative processes, and the long-term sustainability of the regional innovation ecosystem

This position is 100% grant funded and contingent on continued funding.

• A Bachelor's degree in related/ relevant area and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary
• Ability to hold and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Master's degree or higher in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline and demonstrated experience in critical materials research, applied research and development, technology translation, or collaborative industry-focused research.

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $65,000 to $85,000 annually.

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual's particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Grade: GGS 10
University Title: Scientist
To review the University of Missouri's Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Review of applications to begin immediately. Posting to remain open until position filled.

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.