Executive Director - NDSU Food, Energy, and Water Security (FEWS) Initiative
The Executive Director of the NDSU Food, Energy, and Water Security (FEWS) Initiative will lead the strategic direction, management, and operations of the program. With extensive experience and a deep appreciation for research excellence, the position will provide visionary leadership to address the interconnections between food, energy, and water systems and contribute to advancing innovative solutions in these critical areas.
This is an exciting opportunity for an individual interested in building a new program that is driven to address societal challenges at the nexus of food, energy and water security. The Executive Director will work closely with academic, industry, and government stakeholders to foster interdisciplinary research, develop partnerships, secure funding, and promote the mission of the initiative.
This position is grant funded and reports to the Associate Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. In addition to a Ph.D. and FEWS subject matter expertise, the Executive Director must have strong leadership and relationship building experience, strategic planning abilities, experience developing and leading multidisciplinary research teams, and excellent communication skills.
Responsibilities:
Provide visionary leadership for NDSU’s efforts related to the Food, Energy, and Water Security Initiative.
Work collaboratively with campus leadership and existing Food, Energy, and Water-related efforts to create multidisciplinary research programs that solve complex problems in the food, energy, and water security space.
Collaborate with scientists and administrators within the USDA Agricultural Research Service and the Economic Research Service to ensure the successful completion of joint projects.
Cooperate on the technology readiness level transfer from research and development at the university and accelerate to higher levels.
Drive innovation in research by seeking additional partnership and commercialization opportunities for research conducted under the initiative's auspices.
Communicate research results and success to various audiences, including scientists and engineers, policymakers, elected officials, and stakeholders.
Manage budgets related to various federal initiatives and ensure resources are appropriate and available to all participants.
Encourage and promote the submission of high-quality, multidisciplinary, competitive federal grants.
Engage private industry in collaborative research activities.
Manage intellectual property issues related to this work and ensure that the institution and its faculty, staff, and students have ample opportunity to protect their IP development through the NDSU Research Foundation.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Agriculture, Engineering, or related field
Demonstrated subject matter excellence in a food, energy, or water security-related scientific field
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Three years of administrative experience
Experience working with diverse teams
Experience managing complex budgets
Demonstrated commitment to the land grant mission
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience creating effective multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research teams
Outstanding track record of securing and managing federal funding
Experience commercializing research
Five-plus years of administrative experience
Experience outside of academia (industry, corporate, federal agency)
Applicant Materials Required:
Letter of application outlining interest and qualifications for this position.
CV
List of 3 professional references
Position is open until filled, for initial review please submit no later than August 14, 2024. For any questions on the job position please contact heidi.grunwald.1@ndsu.edu.
Benefits:
NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes health insurance coverage, wellness benefits, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, and more.
About Us:
North Dakota State University is a student-focused, land-grant, research university dedicated to solving national and global challenges.
No Smoking Notice:
As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment.
EO/AA Statement:
North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer.
Diversity Statement:
NDSU strives to be a community of belonging, recognizing unique differences as strengths of our university.
Veteran’s Preference Notice:
This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran’s Preference requirements.
Reasonable Accommodation Information:
North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, and employment for individuals with disabilities.
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