Job Details

Salary: $69,959.00 - $90,894.00 Annually
Location : South Charleston, WV
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 25-04
Division: Division of Science and Research
Opening Date: 02/19/2025
Closing Date: 4/14/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

General Job Summary
The purpose of the position, Associate Director of Science, Technology and Research, is to develop strategy and provide programmatic direction that serve the state of West Virginia's growing emphasis on university-based scientific research and to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program success through proposal development, support of cross-institutional working groups, and submission and administration of National Science Foundation grant proposals/awards.

Classification: Full Time, Non-Classified, Exempt, Benefits-Eligible, Grant Funded
Duties and Responsibilities

STEM Research Enhancement

• Assists in the preparation of infrastructure proposals to the National Science Foundation including initial concept, writing, editing, and budget preparation, and project management after the awarding of grants.
• Develops requests for proposals (RFPs) for the West Virginia Research Challenge Fund (RCF)
• Assists in reviewing federal and state-funded research proposals and analyzes scientific merit of proposals.
• Manages research program activities, develops progress reports, and works to develop new research activities, proposals and awards from federal sources. Searches federal libraries and websites for research opportunities and program announcements.
• Manages special projects and makes sound scientific recommendations on research proposals from a variety of scientific fields as requested by the Senior Director.
• Works with key university constituents (i.e., Vice Presidents of Research and Faculty Investigators) on Leadership Teams and Advisory Boards to help manage research grants.
• Facilitates key central administrative activities for sponsored research programs.

Division Administration and Support

• Develops and maintains progress on the strategic plan for communication with the Communications Manager. Contributes to communication activities including newsletters, media events, and website content.
• Represents the Division at meetings and public events and makes technical presentations to public audiences including the Science and Research Council (governing board) in association with the Senior Director.
• Responsible for drafting annual reports and assembling support documents in association with the Senior Director and the Fiscal and Administrative Manager.
• Assists in the supervision of the office staff and assumes specific responsibilities as requested in the absence of the Senior Director.

Education, Outreach and Participation

• Plans and executes science outreach events and publications to meet education, outreach and participation requirements of the Division's Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and Research Challenge Fund grants.
• Develops progress reports on education, outreach, participation and workforce development, and presents results to the Science and Research Council, the Higher Education Policy Commission, and other audiences.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the functions of NSF and the EPSCoR Program.
• Research knowledge, including a basic grounding in scientific theory and principles.
• Knowledge of the research programs and STEM activities at higher education institutions -preferably in West Virginia.
• Awareness of major research programs nationally.
• Ability to search federal libraries and websites for research opportunities and program announcements.
• Ability to assess complex research concepts and provide constructive feedback on the feasibility of proposals from a variety of scientific fields.
• Ability to establish good working relationships with other programs, agencies, departments, public officials, higher education peers and the general public.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Excellent writing abilities and grantsmanship skills.
• A basic knowledge of grants management.
• The ability to communicate effectively with grantees.
• Proficiency in using office software and technology

Minimum Requirements
Doctoral degree and at least two years of STEM research experience is required,
OR
Master's degree in a STEM field with at least four years of STEM education or STEM research experience is required.
Successful candidate must have undergraduate or graduate degree in a STEM field. Degrees must be from an accredited college or university.
Preferred Experience:

• Federal grant experience
• Working on multi-institutional teams
• Experience as a project officer, research director, sponsored research administrator or comparable position
• Experience as an academic department chair or other administrator at a higher education institution that does research in STEM areas

Supplemental Information

Closing Date: April 14, 2025

Application Process: In addition to filling out the online application, qualified candidates must submit a letter of interest and contact information for three professional references.

IMPORTANT: Your eligible score will be based on information provided in your application; therefore, make sure the work experience section in your application is detailed and complete.
Final candidates are subject to employment and credential verification, as well as reference and background checks.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, age, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. The Commission and Council provide a collegial and respectful environment that values the contributions of its staff.
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Hearing
• Legal Services
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• 401(a) Retirement Account with 6% Employer Matching Contribution
• Voluntary Supplemental Retirement Accounts
• Vacation Days
• Sick Days
• Paid Holidays

01

What earned degree(s) do you hold from an accredited college or university?

• Doctorate
• Master's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Associate Degree
• No Degree

02

Please enter your earned degree(s) and field of study.
03

How many years of experience do you have in STEM education or STEM research?

• Less than 2 years
• 2 years less than 4
• 4 years less than 6
• 6 years less than 8
• 8 years less than 10
• 10 or more years

04

Enter how many years of experience you have in grant administration?
05

Do you have working knowledge of federal grants and contracts, such as the National Science Foundation?

• Yes
• No

Required Question