Associate Director, BioPACIFIC MIP

Associate Director, BioPACIFIC MIP

The BioPACIFIC MIP operates a state-of-the-art user facility dedicated to biomaterials discovery and development. This research eco-system integrates the very broad, disparate communities from Engineering, Materials, Biology, and Chemistry and enables materials innovation through high-throughput automation in synthetic biology and chemistry, characterization, computation, and data collection, analysis, and mining. BioPACIFIC MIP is seeking a motivated individual to lead the expansion of its world-class automated synthetic chemistry platform for novel biomaterials—driving engagement with industry, start-ups, and recharge users to both broaden the national user base and advance the program’s long-term sustainability.

Reporting to the Executive Director and Director at UCSB of the NSF BioPACIFIC MIP, the Associate Director will drive innovation and industry relations, provide scientific oversight, and coordinate research activities. This role will cultivate an ecosystem that positions BioPACIFIC MIP within both current on-site facilities and new off-site UCSB facilities. They will strengthen connections with initiatives across the Colleges of Engineering (CoE), Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences (MLPS), and institutes such as the California Nano Systems Institute (CNSI).

Working independently yet collaboratively with BioPACIFIC MIP leadership, the Associate Director will develop and execute strategic plans that expand BioPACIFIC MIP’s visibility, diversify funding streams, and accelerate the next generation of scientific innovation.

The Associate Director will have demonstrated success in leading cross-disciplinary research projects that integrate diverse technical domains and driving innovation from concept to execution. He/she will have an in-depth understanding of and experience with intellectual property strategy and scientific communication, with experience delivering high-quality technical reports and presentations to the NSF, internal and external partners, and stakeholders.

• Work closely with BioPACIFIC MIP leadership to develop strategic plans for sustaining and growing translational research programs and promoting technology development, innovation, and outreach activities.
• Work closely with BioPACIFIC MIP leadership to report activities and results to NSF.
• Identify new strategic research areas and funding opportunities through interactions with a variety of stakeholders, including center faculty, federal and state funding agencies, private foundations, executive officers and founders of major corporations and startups, and local and regional investors and stakeholders.
• Develop and oversee shared research infrastructure within BioPACIFIC MIP to advance research, innovation, translation, work‑force development, and entrepreneurship.
• Work closely with UCSB’s Technology & Industry Alliances Office on relevant industrial partnerships, patent, and licensing issues.
• Work closely with BioPACIFIC MIP’s Project Scientists to develop a Project Feasibility and Research Plan for both in‑house researchers and external users.

• Work closely with BioPACIFIC MIP Project Scientists to develop, order, and install new automated equipment and modify existing equipment to expand capabilities and improve workflows.
• Help integrate these tools with relevant characterization equipment and data gathering platforms.
• Support the design of research and equipment workflows to drive the research mission of BioPACIFIC MIP.