AcadResearch & Industrial Liaison Officer

🔍 School of Engineering, Stanford, California

📁: Administration

📅   : May 17, 2013 Post Date

📅   : 51627 Requisition #

Research & Industrial Liaison Officer (R&ILO), 3P3, Exempt

School of Engineering, Civil & Environment Engineering

The Civil & Environment Engineering Department in the School of Engineering seeks a Industrial Liaison Officer - Water Infrastructure to join its team.

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of the School of Engineering at Stanford University is seeking a Research & Industrial Liaison Officer for its National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center [ERC] for Re-inventing the Nation’s Urban Water Infrastructure, ReNUWIt. The ERC is an interdisciplinary, multi-institution research center whose goal is to change the ways in which we manage urban water.

OVERVIEW

This position supports both the research and the industrial/practitioner outreach mission of ReNUWIt. With the Director, Deputy-Director and Research Director, the R&ILO assesses the progress of research projects towards attainment of systems-level goals and works with faculty to evaluate research outcomes. The R&ILO designs a vision for the industrial/practitioner program, manages the execution of the program and is responsible for fund raising and sustaining membership. The R&ILO leads practitioner outreach activities for translating innovations into workable solutions and develops executable plans consistent with available budgets.

JOB DETAILS

The Research & Industrial Liaison Officer champions the research program’s systems-level approach and communicates industry’s views to academics as well as representing the ERC to industry as part of a multi-university, multi-disciplinary engineering research center.

The position requires an inspirational technical leader with a high degree of knowledge in the overall field of environmental engineering and science with respect to water infrastructure and urban water resources and themes of the ERC. Problem-solving requires intellectual understanding of the field, nuanced assessments of research collaborations and outcomes, and analysis of industry long-term planning and opportunities for sponsored projects.

Research and practical experience in the field required. The person will manage programs that include working with faculty and researchers in both technical and social science fields, formulating strategies and administering policies, managing fund raising and resources with a high degree of autonomy.

Manages the research program and advises the Director, Deputy Director and Research Director on framing the research in terms of coordinated thrusts and themes that address barriers to re-invention. Catalyzes opportunities for growing interactions with industrial partners.
Assesses research project goals and deliverables consistent with project hypotheses, objectives, milestones and the evolving nature of the ERC. Develops strategies and facilitates dialogues between research thrust leaders and industrial partners. Guides discussions on new projects with industrial partners.
Superb professional presence with a proven ability to write and speak effectively. Creating and overseeing a communication strategy. Represents the program to governing boards, outside agencies and the public to increase awareness of the ERC’s innovation programs.
Directs in-progress reviews. Is responsible for and contributes substantially to outreach and technology transfer, industrial practitioner relations, and organizational involvement in innovation and entrepreneurship activities. Prepares briefs to NSF visiting committee, Science Advisory Board, and Industrial Advisory Board. Evaluates Industrial Advisory Board relations and contributes content for grant applications and proposals, and other information requests [e.g., web site, on-line news, trade journals]. Represents the Directors at utility and industry meetings.
Manages fund raising efforts. A demonstrated record of sustained fund raising in the private, public or nonprofit sector. Ability to navigate through complex partnerships in a diplomatic manner.
Designs, develops, and directs outreach to Industrial Advisory Board members. Nurtures relationships and participates in the Center budgeting processes to define the level of financial support needed for the success of these programs and activities, collaborates with programs related to the ERC including entrepreneurial centers, development offices, Water in the West and others as the ERC grows.
Applies technology licensing/transfer concepts to evaluate commercial potential and licensing strategies. With Office of Technology Licensing, negotiates and drafts agreements. Develops, implements and adheres to policies regarding intellectual property and managing intellectual property agreements and contracts.

QUALIFICATIONS

MS in Environmental Engineering or related field experience as substitute required; PhD preferred.
Five to seven years required job related experience. Significant experience on water issues.
Exceptional initiative, resourcefulness and interpersonal skills. Ability to lead and work effectively and collaboratively with ReNUWIt faculty, students and industrial/practitioner partners.
Superb abilities in technical writing and communicating to professional and lay audiences.
Strong interpersonal skills to inspire trust and motivate team members and external stakeholders. Willingness to listen to others and learn from their best ideas.
Success at keeping a strategic focus, building consensus, and thinking big. A practical bent with a focus on applied solutions and turning ideas into action.
Demonstrated expertise for program building and development and execution of outreach activities primarily focused on industrial and practitioner organizations.
Entrepreneurial skills, ability to function effectively in large complex organizations.
Prior track record in obtaining funding for projects or research and/or education and outreach programs preferred.

Other Requirements

The finalist is required to successfully pass a background check to be considered for this opportunity.
We are unable to provide sponsorship for this position.

Job #51627

Additional Information