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Position Title:

Associate Director

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Terminal (Fixed Term)

Job Profile:

Scientist II NE

Job Duties:

The Scientist II position is for an Associate Director position who provides technical, programmatic, and operational leadership for the Concrete Advancement Network (CAN) Center at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. This role advances an inclusive, collaborative, and externally engaged research environment focused on concrete materials, sustainability, resilience, digital technologies, and industry-relevant innovation. 
Working closely with the Center and Site Directors, affiliated faculty, students, industry members, partner universities, and administrative units, Scientist helps guide research initiatives, coordinate center operations, support sponsored projects, strengthen member engagement, and expand the Center’s visibility and impact. 
The position serves as a key connector across research, education, and external partnerships, helping translate technical work into practical outcomes for industry and society.

The successful candidate will combine technical credibility with strong organizational and communication skills. They will be expected to manage multiple priorities, advise on research and technical matters, represent the Center in professional forums, and foster a respectful work environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and valued. 

Key Job Responsibilities:

• May supervise the day-to-day activities of a research unit as needed

• Identifies research problems and develops complex research methodologies and procedures

• Serves as a unit subject matter expert and liaison to internal and external stakeholders providing advanced level information and representing the interests of a specialized research area

• Collects and analyzes complex research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision

• Monitors program budget and approves unit expenditures

• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities

• Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information

• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding

Department:

College of Engineering and Applied Science

Compensation:

88,000-90,000

(Final salary will be determined based on qualifications and experience)

Required Qualifications:

• PhD’s degree in civil engineering, materials engineering, construction engineering, or a closely related field.

• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in applied research, technical program leadership, research administration, industry-university collaboration, or a related professional setting.

• Demonstrated experience coordinating or supporting complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, timelines, budgets, or deliverables.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences through reports, presentations, correspondence, or meetings.

• Experience building and maintaining productive working relationships with faculty, staff, students, industry partners, sponsors, agencies, or professional organizations.

• Demonstrated problem-solving, organizational, and independent judgment skills in a dynamic professional or research environment.

• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and to fostering a respectful, welcoming, and collaborative workplace.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in civil engineering, materials science, construction engineering, or a closely related field.

• Professional experience in one or more CAN-relevant areas such as concrete materials, cementitious systems, infrastructure materials, durability, decarbonization, structural materials, additive manufacturing, machine learning, or data-enabled materials research.

• Work experience with university research center, industry consortium, professional society, standards organization, or other multi-institution environment.

• Experience supporting proposal development, sponsored research administration, budgeting, or sponsor reporting.

• Experience managing subcontracted, consultant-led, or externally partnered technical projects.

• Familiarity with ACI, ASTM, or other standards and guidance relevant to concrete, construction materials, or infrastructure research.

• Experience serving on technical committees, advisory boards, standards groups, or industry association activities.

• Experience planning and facilitating technical meetings, semi-annual member meetings, workshops, conferences, or similar stakeholder events.

• Experience developing training, technical communications, newsletters, annual reports, websites, or outreach materials for a research center or professional organization.

• Experience contributing to membership development, external partnerships, sponsorship cultivation, or business-development efforts for a research or technical program.

• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) / Engineer in Training (EIT) credentials

Core Responsibilities:

• Serve as a technical and strategic resource to the Center Director and relevant advisory, governance, or program committees.

• Coordinate day-to-day center operations, technical activities, and cross-functional initiatives in support of CAN’s mission and growth.

• Assist in developing proposals, scopes of work, requests for proposals, project plans, and sponsor-facing materials for Center-supported activities.

• Manage or support externally funded and/or outsourced projects involving consultants, academic partners, laboratories, or other collaborating entities; monitor timelines, deliverables, and quality of work.

• Review technical reports, publications, training content, and other Center products and provide input on technical quality, relevance, and dissemination.

• Help organize and facilitate member meetings, workshops, seminars, research reviews, and strategic planning sessions.

• Represent the Center in conferences, industry events, technical committees, standards groups, and outreach activities, as assigned.

• Cultivate strong working relationships with faculty, students, industry partners, sponsors, agencies, and professional organizations.

• Support membership development, partnership cultivation, and other efforts that strengthen the Center’s long-term sustainability and external impact.

• Contribute to communications, annual reporting, and outreach activities that showcase the Center’s research, education, and workforce-development mission

Desired Attributes:

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize complex technical information and draw sound conclusions.

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands, handle multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.

• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and listening skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and constituencies.

• Professional judgment, discretion, and the ability to work effectively with confidential or sensitive information.

• Initiative, flexibility, and willingness to take on new assignments in support of Center priorities.

• Willingness and ability to travel to conferences, meetings, workshops, and industry events as needed

Education:

PhD

How to Apply:

Interested applicants please apply online and provide both a Resume and Cover letter. Please apply by May 13, 2026.

Contact Information:

Any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Amy Rehfeldt at rehfelda@uwm.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact uwm-jobs@uwm.edu or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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.