Critical Materials Crossroads Scientist - Office of Strategic Innovation

Hiring Department

Critical Materials Crossroads (CMC) in the Office of Strategic Innovation (OSIN) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City(UMKC).

The Critical Materials Crossroads (CMC) Scientist serves as atechnical research professional supporting the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Critical Materials Crossroads Engine, itsregional innovation ecosystem, and additional projects fundedoutside of the NSF. The position conducts and coordinates use-inspired research and development focused on critical minerals,critical materials, and the processes, technologies, and manufacturing systems needed to strengthen a domestic criticalmaterials supply chain. The Scientist works across academic,industry, government, nonprofit, and workforce partners to connectscientific discovery with practical regional and nationalneeds.

The position designs and executes research, develops and validatesexperimental methods, analyzes and interprets technical data, and contributes to the advancement of technologies from early-stageresearch toward demonstration and translation. The Scientist also supports collaborative project development, technical reporting,partner engagement, research infrastructure, intellectual property and commercialization pathways, and workforce or experiential learning activities. Consistent with the NSF Engines model, the position is expected to help align research with stakeholder needs,technical and economic feasibility, measurable milestones, and opportunities for regional economic impact.

• Design, execute, analyze, and document laboratory, pilot-scale,computational, field, or manufacturing-relevant experiments,ensuring scientific rigor, reproducibility, and timely delivery ofproject milestones.
• Collaborate with academic, industry, government, nonprofit, and workforce partners to define technical requirements, solvemultidisciplinary problems, and advance shared research objectives.
• Advance promising technologies from research toward validation,scale-up, demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, orother pathways to practical application and regional economic impact.
• Prepare and communicate technical findings through reports,presentations, publications, sponsor updates, proposals, and otherresearch products for both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Maintain safe, compliant, and effective research operations,including appropriate stewardship of research data, equipment,facilities, confidential information, and sponsor or universityrequirements.
• Contribute to CMC workforce development and ecosystem-building activities by mentoring students and research personnel, supportingexperiential learning, and connecting research capabilities withemerging technical skill needs.
• Track research progress, technical risks, performance measures,and resource needs; communicate issues promptly and recommendevidence-based adjustments to research plans and priorities.

• Research Project and Experimental Lead
  • Develop experimental plans, protocols, test matrices,milestones, and technical deliverables for assigned research activities
  • Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot scientific instrumentation,laboratory systems, pilot equipment, or research tools within the Scientist’s area of expertise
  • Analyze experimental results using appropriate statistical,computational, modeling, or data-analysis methods and translatefindings into actionable technical recommendations
  • Identify technical risks, research barriers, and resource needsand recommend adjustments to scope, methods, timelines, or priorities
• Technology Development and Translation Contributor
  • Advance promising research outcomes toward validation,scale-up, demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, orother pathways to practice
  • Contribute technical information to…