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We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.
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Departmental Overview
The Bakar Institute of Digital Materials for the Planet (BIDMaP) at the University of California, Berkeley brings together top machine learning and chemistry researchers to develop groundbreaking technologies to unlock new solutions to climate change. World-leading chemists, computer scientists, statisticians, and a breadth of other interdisciplinary collaborators from across the UC Berkeley campus, our sister campuses, and the global academic community, BIDMaP is leading cutting-edge research and forging partnerships to address the climate crisis.
The Institute will focus on developing a new field of machine learning for experimental chemistry. BIDMaP will develop and leverage AI techniques to accelerate climate change technologies and their deployment. BIDMaP will focus on trapping and harnessing small molecules we rely on but cannot currently control at scale. BIDMaP will rely on the intersection of multiple fields of study, with interaction being a key component, to develop new types of algorithms and design platforms to optimize discovery, development and the deployment of climate change intervention technologies, initially focusing on new materials. BIDMaP aims to help scientists find more correct answers faster and provide a roadmap for incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into other experimental fields like physics. BIDMaP is a financially self-sustaining research institute within Computing, Data Science and Society with an ambitious vision.
BIDMaP is seeking its inaugural Executive Director. Come join this dynamic, cross-disciplinary team, to make our scientific vision a reality, creating an enormous lever for societies around the world to address climate change. BIDMAP brings together the founder of an important new field in chemistry and the best artificial intelligence and machine learning group in the world to imagine and create a better future. BIDMaP is an international hub for discovery and education in climate technologies, with emphasis on new materials, reticular chemistry, and AI for
the natural sciences. It will capitalize on Berkeley’s first-rate faculty, new faculty hires, and suite of visiting programs for cross disciplinary interaction aimed at convening the world’s best talent, to create solutions that help solve society's most pressing and vexing challenges.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: 11/20/23 - Open Until Filled
Responsibilities
The BIDMaP Executive Director independently oversees a moderately sized, fast-growing, cutting-edge interdisciplinary academic research program. Performs long- and short-term planning for the Institute, including funding projections and financial sustainability. Designs and develops major programmatic strategies and procedures; identifies and pursues funding opportunities and revenue streams; produces reports and project and program reviews, and represents the program to internal UCB units and outside organizations. Leads all administrative operations including
financial management, HR, and facilities, as well as programmatic activities including regular seminars, annual off-site events, and a graduate and postdoctoral fellowship programming (recruitment, community-building, collaboration). Manages a growing academic personnel portfolio. Develops and ensures proper program visibility online and in print media.
The incumbent implements programs including regular seminars, off-site events, and fellowships. Develops and ensures proper program visibility online and in print media. Engages with companies and nonprofit organizations to fund programs and promote paths to technology transfer and commercialization. Raises the visibility of BIDMaP to constituents including academia, government, industry and the public with robust education and outreach programs. Manages interactions with supporting units on campus and partner institutes (e.g. tech transfer, deans and department chairs, communications, and development). Identifies opportunities and develops workshops and conferences for national and international audiences with participants from academia, industry and government.
Reporting to the Faculty Director, the key responsibilities of the Executive Director are:
60%
Strategic direction: As an integral member of the leadership team, develop, implement and manage the short and long-term strategic plan for BIDMaP programs and operations. Create annual strategies and action items; implement steps toward long-term objectives. Advise BIDMaP faculty leadership on progress.
Operational leadership and management: Develop business models, policies, procedures and systems as needed to ensure efficient administrative and operations support for all members of BIDMaP.
Scientific and programmatic leadership: Oversee, manage or coordinate (directly or indirectly depending on area and need) activities in intellectual property, information technology, communications, development, facilities and human resources, financial management, and laboratory support; manage interactions and ensure oversight of activities at supporting units on campus and partner institutes. Participate or oversee proposal solicitation for external funding for programs and projects, as needed.
Foster innovative, interdisciplinary research collaborations as a critical member of the leadership team; assess needs and establish necessary research capability and capacity; provide guidance to faculty regarding funding, new venture development and other resource support; pursue opportunities for additional funding; track BIDMaP activities and milestones. Provide high-level support to Institute leadership, serving as a strategic thought partner and operational executive. For example, provide briefings to ensure objectives for meetings are met and on track with strategic goals; manage follow up.
20%
Fundraising, communications and outreach: Collaborate with development professionals on campus to raise ongoing support for the Institute. Take a leadership role in stewarding donors, in collaboration with University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR), including detailed reporting on spending, activities, accomplishments, related publications, media attention and other relevant information for donors. Publicize relevant competitive research opportunities to BIDMaP researchers and assist with team formation and project management for major
collaborative funding opportunities.
15%
Translation and Commercialization: Oversee partnerships with on-campus resources such as Bakar Labs and the BeLIeF Fund, and external resources to support faculty in taking steps toward translating the technology. Collaborate with faculty and campus leadership to incorporate commercialization-themed programming for the BIDMaP research community. Develop partnerships with on- and off-campus organizations that will further the goals of deploying and scaling BIDMaP discoveries. Oversee activities relating to intellectual property reporting and patenting to ensure discoveries are protected.
5%
Participates in workshops, trainings, and other professional development opportunities.
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $117,000 - 226,000.
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.
For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, please see the University of California Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace policy.
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