Research Program Manager/UK IDEA

Posting Details

Job Title Research Program Manager/UK IDEA

Requisition Number RE48828

Working Title Research Program Manager

Department Name 8H755:UK IDEA

Work Location Lexington, KY

Grade Level 50

Salary Range $81,640-138,798/year

Type of Position Staff

Position Time Status Full-Time

Required Education

PhD

Click here for more information about equivalencies: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Required Related Experience

6 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification

None.

Physical Requirements

To meet project requirements: lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects, climbing stairs and ladders, working outdoors, wearing PPE , sitting for extended periods of time, standing, walking, repetitive motion tasks, and exposure to noises, temperatures, chemicals, and fumes including waste.

Shift

Monday – Friday

Typical working hours, for example 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (40 hours/week).

Some nights and weekends shift work may also be required to meet project demands.

Job Summary

Are you ready to make a real impact on the future of sustainability? The Institute for Decarbonization and Energy Advancement ( IDEA ) at the University of Kentucky (UK) is seeking passionate and driven research engineers to join our dynamic team. Modeled after the legendary “Bell Laboratories,” IDEA offers a collaborative, inspiring, and forward-thinking environment. You’ll be part of cutting-edge research projects that span 3-5 years, where you can take your ideas from concept to demonstration and help scale them up for real-world application and commercialization.

Key Responsibilities for the Research Program Manager will include but are not limited to:

Project Oversight and Planning:

• Manage multiple CO2 capture and utilization projects at the bench and pilot scale.
• Lead large-scale projects, coordinating the work of scientists, engineers, and technicians.
• Develop annual project plans, monitor staffing, budgets, and equipment availability.
• Track progress, provide evaluations, and resolve project roadblocks through problem-solving to ensure compliance with funding requirements.
• Participate in strategic planning by evaluating markets, competitors, and technologies.
• Ensure project success by reviewing schedules, costs, and maintaining strong customer relationships.
  
  

Leadership and Representation:

• Deliver kickoff and closeout presentations, lead intellectual development activities, and publish peer-reviewed papers.
• Collaborate with management to explore new research directions and secure funding.
• Serve as a key resource for UK, IDEA , and clients by resolving challenges and identifying new research opportunities.
• Represent UK in committees, forums, sponsor meetings, and symposia at national and international levels.
• Interact with funding agencies, report progress, and update schedules and scopes as needed.
• Foster relationships with industry partners, ensuring compliance with policies and agreements.
  
  

The Department of Energy ( DOE ) requires that all foreign nationals associated with this grant be submitted for review and consideration. The successful candidate will be expected to satisfy the outlined requirements for foreign nationals. A “foreign national” is defined by DOE as any person who is not a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization. To further understand the details of these requirements, please go to : https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/100-series/0142.3-BOrder-b/@@images/file .

This position may require pre-employment drug screening as well as post-hire random drug and alcohol screening.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

• Ability to work independently with hands-on skills, a proactive mindset, and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaborating with colleagues and external partners.
  
  

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

• Strong grasp of engineering principles, including chemical kinetics, heat and mass transfer, and thermodynamics, especially in process, chemical, and mechanical engineering.
• Experience with process integration, PFD and P&ID design, and reactor design using CAD tools (e.g., AutoCAD); mid-level skills in process automation (e.g., Raspberry Pi, Python) and data analysis (Excel, Python, MATLAB ).
• Proficiency in engineering software and process equipment (e.g., heat exchangers, pumps) and instrumentation (e.g., temperature, pressure, pH, flow).
• Knowledge of aqueous CO2 capture chemistry and familiarity with process unit operations.
  
  

Deadline to Apply 02/05/2025

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

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