Research Program Associate Director

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. This individual secures funding, allocates resources, and supervises staff to ensure program strategies and activities align with the department and institutional mission.

Lake Superior Research Institute (LSRI) conducts applied environmental research and provides scientific and technical services addressing environmental challenges, with a particular emphasis on the Great Lakes region. Its mission also includes providing undergraduate students with meaningful research and experiential learning opportunities and advancing environmental education and public engagement.

Working in partnership with the Director, the Associate Director helps develop and implement research priorities, expand external funding, cultivate strategic partnerships, and strengthen the Institute's portfolio of externally funded research programs. The position supports the development of competitive research proposals, oversees program implementation and performance, and promotes the effective management of financial, personnel, and institutional resources.

The Associate Director works collaboratively with research program managers, scientists, university administration, funding agencies, Tribal Nations, governmental organizations, industry, nonprofit organizations, and other partners to develop research opportunities and deliver high-quality scientific outcomes. The position also supports student research, professional development, environmental education, and outreach consistent with LSRI's mission and UW-Superior's educational priorities.

The successful candidate will combine scientific credibility, demonstrated research program leadership, funding development experience, sound financial and organizational judgment, and the ability to translate institutional priorities into sustainable research programs.

• Manages large research projects for a center or program

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

• Serves as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Principal Investigator (co-PI) for grants related to teaching, research, and/or outreach

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

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

• Produces works of academic scholarship

• 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

• 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

Department: Lake Superior Research Institute

Reports to: Research Center Director

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

Other Duties:

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of applied environmental research, scientific program development, and research administration.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans that create or expand research programs and advance institutional priorities.
• Ability to evaluate program performance, financial sustainability, resource requirements, and operational risks.
• Proven skill in developing and maintaining professional relationships with funding agencies, Tribal Nations, governmental organizations, industry, academic institutions, and community partners.
• Ability to lead collaborative teams, supervise personnel, support staff development, resolve problems, and manage competing priorities.
• Expert ability to exercise sound judgment, work independently, and make decisions in a dynamic, externally funded research environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across scientific research, administration, education, and operational functions in a small university setting, with a proven record of coordinating cross-functional initiatives, aligning resources, and achieving shared institutional goals.
• Commitment to student research, experiential learning, environmental education, and public engagement.
• 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:

• Master's degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, aquatic ecology, natural resources, engineering, environmental policy, or a closely related discipline.
• At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental research, applied science, research program management, or a related field.
• Experience as a principal investigator, co-principal investigator, or research program leader on externally funded projects.
• Experience in identifying funding opportunities, research proposal development, securing external funding, and management or oversight of externally funded projects.
• Experience coordinating complex projects, managing competing priorities, and working collaboratively with scientific, administrative, and external partner organizations.
• Possess valid driver’s license and meet criteria for operation of state-owned vehicles.

The University of Wisconsin-Superior does not offer H-1B or other work authorization immigration sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be independently, legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain their work authorization without the support or help of UW-Superior throughout employment. UW-Superior is not an E-Verify employer; therefore, it cannot employ individuals on the STEM OPT extension. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in environmental or natural science discipline or a closely related field.
• A sustained record of peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and other significant research accomplishments.
• Experience building new research programs, cultivating strategic partnerships, or expanding an organization's research portfolio.
• Familiarity with Great Lakes environmental issues, freshwater science, aquatic ecosystems, water quality, invasive species, pollution prevention, environmental monitoring, or related disciplines.
• Experience supporting undergraduate research, internships, workforce development, environmental education, or public outreach.
• Experience in a university, research institute, or other organization substantially dependent on extramural funding.

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.

University of Wisconsin-Superior is a gold-level certified employer recognized by Family Friendly Workplaces.

Starting Date:  Spring 2027, the exact start date is negotiable based on the selected candidate’s availability.

Contact Information:

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

For additional information about this position, contact MJ Seiler at [email protected].

Application Process:

Review of all complete applications will commence at 4:30pm on December 10, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

How to Apply:

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

Important: The application includes only one attachment field. Please upload all required documents in that single field—either as one combined file or as multiple files attached in the same upload area.

Applications will not be considered complete unless all required materials are submitted.

1.) Cover Letter

2.) Resume

3.) Unofficial transcripts of all degrees earned

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.

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.