Technical Laboratories Manager

$181,150 - $225,000/Yr

University of California - Santa Cruz, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Santa Cruz, CA

Educational Services

About the position

The Technical Laboratories Manager at UC Santa Cruz is responsible for managing research instrumentation projects and overseeing technical facilities. This role involves project management, including planning, budgeting, and tracking project performance, as well as supervising staff and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The manager will represent the University of California Observatories (UCO) in project reviews and maintain effective communication with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple instrumentation development projects for UC Observatories, including organization, planning, execution, validation, and risk management.
• Develop and maintain budgets and schedules to achieve science performance goals.
• Track budget and schedule throughout project lifecycles, including proposal preparation and submission, site visits, external reviews, and commissioning.
• Communicate effectively with all project stakeholders, including funding agencies, vendors, and partners at US and international institutions.
• Negotiate contracts with, and manage vendors and subcontractors.
• Work with the UCO Associate Director of Business and Administration on business and financial reporting functions in support of projects.
• Prepare progress reports and present them as needed.
• Manage the human and physical resources of the technical facilities, implementing the priorities of the UC Observatories (UCO) directors on a daily basis.
• Supervise technical staff and facilitate staff meetings to ensure project priorities are met.
• Work with researchers and UCO leadership to identify and review new project opportunities, concepts, and research directions.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in related area.
• Experience managing technical projects in all phases, from concept through delivery, integration, and testing.
• Proven experience as supervisor of technical staff.
• Thorough knowledge and skills associated with project budget planning.
• Excellent management skills associated with the oversight of planning, development, and construction of research engineering projects.

Nice-to-haves

• Doctorate in related field and/or equivalent experience.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification.
• Experience with HR-related practices and procedures.
• Familiarity with instrumentation used for Astronomy.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid holidays
• Pet insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance