Executive Director (MINDS) and Research Assistant Professor

The University of Memphis invites applications for the position of Executive Director of the Memphis Institute for National Defense Sciences (MINDS). The Executive Director will hold a nine-month, non-tenure-track appointment as a Research Assistant Associate Professor within the FedEx Institute of Technology.

 

MINDS serves as the University's focal point for national defense and national security research, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among academia, government, industry, and national laboratories to develop innovative technologies that address emerging defense challenges.

 

The Executive Director will provide strategic, scientific, and administrative leadership for the Institute while advancing a nationally competitive portfolio of sponsored research. The successful candidate will lead the development of major research initiatives, cultivate partnerships with federal agencies and industry, expand the Institute's research enterprise, and position MINDS as a nationally recognized leader in defense science and technology.

This position is intended for an accomplished research leader and administrator with demonstrated success in developing large-scale research programs and building collaborative partnerships supporting the national security mission. 

The successful candidate will receive a 9-month, non-tenure-track appointment as a Research Assistant Professor within the FedEx Institute of Technology based upon qualifications and experience. 
 

This is a research-focused leadership appointment with responsibilities that include:
•    Maintaining an active, externally funded research program. 
•    Developing and leading multidisciplinary sponsored research initiatives. 
•    Publishing research appropriate for a research faculty appointment. 
•    Mentoring postdoctoral researchers and research staff. 
•    Collaborating with faculty, research centers, federal agencies, and industry partners to advance interdisciplinary research. 
•    Contributing to the strategic growth and national visibility of the Memphis Institute for National Defense Sciences. 
This position does not include regular teaching responsibilities or the mentorship of undergraduate or graduate students.

Summer salary opportunities may be available through external sponsored research contracts, in line with established university policy.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and overall management of the Memphis Institute for National Defense Sciences. 
• Develops and implements the Institute's long-term strategic vision and research priorities. 
• Owns the University’s relationship with Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock and manages the workflows surrounding projects at its Memphis detachment to ensure successful and timely delivery beyond expectations. 
• Expands the Institute's sponsored research portfolio through competitive federal proposals, cooperative agreements, and other strategic funding opportunities. 
• Builds and maintains productive relationships with the Department of Energy, Department of War, National Laboratories, defense industry partners, and other federal sponsors of defense research. 
• Fosters interdisciplinary collaborations across the University of Memphis and with external research organizations. 
• Identifies emerging national security priorities and position MINDS to pursue new research opportunities. 
• Leads the development of multidisciplinary research teams capable of competing for large-scale federal awards. 
• Oversees Institute operations, including strategic planning, budgeting, personnel, research administration, and program execution. 
• Supports technology transition, innovation, workforce development, and commercialization activities where appropriate. 
• Represents MINDS and the University of Memphis at regional, national, and international disciplinary meetings. 
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal regulations, export controls, research security requirements, and University policies. 
• Maintains an active externally funded research program consistent with the responsibilities of a research faculty appointment. 
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the University's research and innovation mission. 

Qualifications

• Candidate must have earned a Doctoral Degree in Autonomous Cyber-Physical Technology, Ship Building & Drones, Systems Testing & Evaluation, Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field. 
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in research development and administration, sponsored research management, research institute leadership, or defense research program development. 

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas.

Research and Technical Expertise

• Hypersonics research and technology development. 
• Advanced or novel materials, including high-temperature and multifunctional materials. 
• Cavitation science and engineering. 
• Advanced manufacturing. 
• Digital engineering and digital twins. 
• Directed energy technologies. 
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning for defense applications. 
• Computational modeling and simulation. 
• Radiation sciences. 
• Nondestructive evaluation. 
• Maritime technologies. 
• Contested logistics and supply chains. 
• Advanced sensing and diagnostics. 

Research Leadership

• Leadership of multidisciplinary research programs funded by the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, or other federal agencies. 
• Successful development of major federally funded research proposals. 
• Experience directing or managing a university research institute, center, laboratory, or comparable research organization. 
• Experience building collaborative partnerships among universities, federal laboratories, government agencies, and industry. 

Strategic Development

• Demonstrated success securing and managing congressional appropriations, cooperative agreements, or other strategic federal investments supporting defense research. 
• Experience developing technology transition pathways and innovation strategies. 
• Experience supporting defense-related economic development and innovation ecosystems. 

Federal and Security Experience

• Established relationships with Department of Defense laboratories, warfare centers, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), national laboratories, or defense industry partners. 
• Current or previous U.S. security clearance. 
• Experience operating in environments that require export control compliance, classified research, or research security requirements. 

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

About UsThe University of Memphis is a leading, student-centered, urban public R1 research institution. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, on 1,160 acres. The University serves a population of nearly 20,000 students and 2,500 employees, including more than 1,000 full-time faculty members. The University offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 230 areas of study, master’s degrees in more than 50 subjects and doctoral degrees in 26 disciplines; supported an institutional record of more than $100 million in research awards for FY24; and has an operating budget of close to $500 million.