Research Program Manager/UK IDEA

Job Title
Research Program Manager/UK IDEA


Requisition Number
RE48281


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 8:00am – 5:00pm (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-B….

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
01/01/2025


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.