Faculty Administrator and Director, Florida Space Institute

The Florida Space Institute (FSI), a multidisciplinary center devoted to facilitating and conducting leading-edge applied and basic research and education programs in space-related fields, seeks applications and nominations for a 12-month, non-tenure earning faculty administrator and director of the FSI. Located in the Research Park of the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, FSI’s charter is to support space research, development, and education activities within UCF and in the state of Florida, and secondarily to support the development of Florida’s space economy, including civil, defense, and commercial.

The director also oversees the Arecibo Observatory located in Puerto Rico. The Arecibo Observatory is recognized for its world-class radio astronomy, solar system radar, atmospheric physics facility, onsite and virtual education programs for K-16, and supporting the economic and social development of Puerto Rico.

UCF is committed to becoming a premier institution in space science, engineering, and education and is seeking a dynamic individual to implement that vision by growing FSI into a nationally recognized space research powerhouse. The director will work with faculty from the College of Sciences, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the College of Optics and Photonics, the Arecibo Observatory, and others interested in space-related research at UCF to achieve these goals. The FSI director reports directly to UCF’s vice president for Research and dean of the College of Graduate Studies, and will strategize, coordinate, and lead UCF’s governmental, industry, research, commercialization, and administrative efforts in space science engineering and education.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following attributes:

• Have a proven track record of building, motivating, mentoring, and coaching high-performance teams.

• Be a creative problem solver that can bring multiple and diverse disciplines together.

• Have experience in creating, developing, and growing partnerships with companies in the space industry from both an academic and a commercial perspective.

• Have experience within NASA, or have received and executed large NASA-funded programs.

• An entrepreneurial mindset for building up an organization and experience in growing and managing a center, institute, NASA flight project, or large research group.

Further information is available at FSI’s website: https://fsi.ucf.edu/ and the Arecibo Observatory website: www.areciboobservatory.org.

Department:

Office of Research, Florida Space Institute

Type of Appointment:

Regular

Advertised Annual Salary:

Negotiable

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Space Science or Engineering or another relevant discipline, or equivalent experience is required.

• Strong spoken and written communications and interpersonal skills.

• Experience in academic programs.

• Demonstrated leadership and managerial effectiveness.

• Knowledge of experimental design and conduct.

• A record of national and international recognition for winning competitive space funding.

• An entrepreneurial mindset for building up an organization and experience in growing and managing a center, institute, NASA flight project, or large research group.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A proven track record of building, motivating, mentoring, and coaching high-performance teams.

• A creative problem solver that can bring multiple and diverse disciplines together.

• Experience in creating, developing, and growing partnerships with companies in the space industry from both an academic and a commercial perspective.

• Experience within NASA, or receiving and executing large NASA-funded programs.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

This is a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure earning position.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources website https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, interested candidates must upload the following documents:

1. A cover letter.

2. A recent CV documenting the applicant’s education, experience, publications and/or papers in progress, technical skills, and awards.

3. A list of names, affiliations, and contact information (including email addresses and phone numbers) of at least three professional references.

Note: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be attached at that time. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions about this position may be directed to Dr. Josh Colwell, search committee chair, at [email protected], and/or search committee coordinators, Patricia Szczerba ([email protected]) and Doshie Walker ([email protected]).

Florida Clause:

Unless explicitly stated in the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation is that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

These requirements do not apply to U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents if the employment or training was/is through an agency of the U.S. Government. For more information on what information must be provided and the screening process, please see: https://corona.research.ucf.edu/screening-process-for-research-positions/.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement can be viewed at: http://www.oie.ucf.edu/documents/PresidentsStatement.pdf. As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. The UCF's affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office for Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.