Project Manager, Operations Management

UEM-MST will develop next-generation high-brightness ultrafast transmission and multibeam scanning electron microscope systems, integrating electron sources, lasers, radio-frequency beam manipulation, precision timing, digital acquisition and AI-assisted control. The project will establish validated designs and prototypes for capabilities supporting ultrafast materials science, quantum chip engineering, high-throughput semiconductor metrology, and artificial intelligence for science and technology. It will also develop the electron science facility user community and prepare plans for a future national user facility.

The interdisciplinary team will bring together MSU researchers, beam science and accelerator technology experts at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), collaborators at the University of Houston and Arizona State University, and national laboratory and industrial partners

The Project Manager will lead project controls and coordinate delivery across technical teams, university offices and external partners. Working closely with the PI and Co-PIs, this person will maintain an integrated view of scope, schedule, cost, procurement and risk; identify emerging problems; and coordinate timely corrective actions. Technical direction and scientific priorities will remain with the PI and Co-PIs.

This position offers the opportunity to help build advanced scientific infrastructure and work at the intersection of research, engineering and project delivery.

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Business Administration, Management, Physics, Engineering, Materials Science or a field related to the employing unit; three to five years of related and progressively more expansive work experience in project management, business analysis, facilitating/training with a focus on business management; workflow process analysis and implementation of strategic initiatives or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's or doctoral degree in physics, applied physics, materials science, electrical engineering, accelerator engineering, nuclear engineering or a related field.

Project Management Professional certification; earned-value management training or certification.

Experience with NSF Mid-scale or major research infrastructure projects, or DOE projects managed under DOE Order 413.3B.

Experience with baseline and contingency management, formal change control and independent project reviews.

Experience at a national laboratory, accelerator or scientific user facility, electron microscopy facility, scientific-instrument company or semiconductor-equipment company. Experience organizing scientific workshops, user engagement, outreach or STEM recruitment activities.

At least two years of experience managing schedule and cost for a multiyear technical project valued at $5 million or more, including resource-loaded scheduling and critical-path analysis.

At least one year of experience coordinating technical equipment procurement and communicating with purchasing personnel and vendors.

At least one year of experience working with federal sponsored-project requirements, such as Uniform Guidance or an equivalent agency framework.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s)

Proficiency with project-management software such as Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Open Project or an equivalent platform.

Strong analytical, organizational and written communication skills, including experience preparing formal reports for sponsors, customers or regulators.

Demonstrated ability to coordinate work among scientists, engineers, students, administrators…