Skip to main content

EARTH Project Manager

Employer
The University of Kansas
Location
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
View more categoriesView less categories
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Position OverviewThe Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH) Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for project management, data collection, publicity, and reporting. The Project Manager will manage and provide updates on budgets, timelines, and project milestones to the EARTH leadership team (EARTH-LT). This individual will report to the ERC EARTH Director and will monitor and evaluate the performance of EARTH projects. The Project Manager will be responsible for coordinating and preparing the annual report and will work with the Administrative Director (AD) to organize the NSF annual site visit. The Project Manager will work with the Thrust and Project Leads to build clear roadmaps and project plans, drive project execution from scoping through delivery, clarify milestones, and ensure visibility and alignment with overall center goals. When projects reach completion, the Project Manager will work with the project leadership to prepare a final report. The Project Manager will also work with EARTH team members to write and submit proposals. The Project Manager will assist project teams with managing risks and bring issues to the EARTH-LT that require corrective actions. The Project Manager oversees the fulfillment of EARTH organizational goals and coordinates activities between multiple projects without directly managing them. The Project Manager will ensure that projects are adhering to the EARTH safety guidelines. The Project Manager will be a leader that the EARTH team members, particularly the students, can rely on for support and encouragement. An ideal candidate for this position is someone who is eager to make a difference in academia by strengthening faculty interactions and mentoring students.

About ERC:
Heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) are essential to the quality of life for all humans. HVACR systems are widespread throughout society, enabling transportation and preservation of fresh foods, storage of medicines, and cooling of buildings. However, most refrigerants used today are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have high global-warming potential (GWP), with 2000-4000 times the impact of CO2. Combined with high leak rates (direct effect — 50-90% of refrigerants leak into the atmosphere) and high energy consumption (indirect effect — 20-40% of U.S. residential and commercial building electricity usage comes from HVACR), HFCs account for 7.8% of total greenhouse-gas emissions.
To address this challenge, a new NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC): Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH) will create a “sustainable refrigerant lifecycle” to address technical, environmental, and societal challenges facing the HVACR industry. EARTH is a multi-institution, multi-disciplinary team from the University of Kansas, University of Notre Dame, University of Hawai'i, University of Maryland, University of South Dakota, and Lehigh University.
Job Description50% The EARTH Project Manager will monitor and evaluate the performance of EARTH projects. This will include activities such as:
  • Provide updates on budgets, timelines, and project milestones to EARTH-LT
  • Work with the Thrust and Project Leads to build clear roadmaps and project plans, drive project execution, milestones clearly communicated and executed, and ensure alignment of project goals with overall center goals.
  • Assist project teams with managing risks and bring issues to EARTH-LT that require corrective action
  • Work with project leadership when programs are complete to prepare final reports.
  • Coordinate activities between multiple projects.
10% Assist in the management of the day-to-day operations of ERC EARTH
  • Coordinate activities for EARTH administrative assistant and EARTH accountant.
10% Responsible for coordinating, collecting information, and preparing annual report for NSF.

10% Responsible for planning and organizing annual NSF site visits with AD.

10% Work with EARTH team members to write and submit federal- and industry-funded proposals.

10% Work with EARTH-LT to coordinate technical seminars as well as seminars on professional development topics such as teamwork, communication, lab safety and others.Position Requirements
  1. This position works primarily on-site but limited remote work may be considered per mutual agreement between the EARTH director and selected candidate.
Required Qualifications
  1. B.S. in Engineering, Business Management, or closely related field.
  2. Minimum 5 years of program management experience.
  3. Outstanding written skills, as evidenced by application materials.
  4. Proven track record of significant technical contributions, as evidenced by a combination of the following: successfully funded proposals, patents, publications, invited lectures, and awards, as evidenced in application materials
  5. Three years of supervisory experience.
Preferred Qualifications
  1. Engineering/Academic Research Center program management experience, as evidenced in application materials.
  2. Corporate program management or technology management experience, as evidenced in application materials.
  3. Knowledge of current HVACR manufacturing processes, technology strategies of corporations, and managerial procedures in the chemical enterprise, as evidenced in application materials.
  4. Previous experience with successful scale-up or commercialization of new technology, as demonstrated in application materials.
  5. M.S. or PhD in Engineering, Business Management, or a closely related field.
Additional Candidate InstructionsA complete application consists of cover letter, resume, and list of three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Application review begins October 14, 2024. To ensure consideration, please apply before review date.Contact Information to ApplicantsHeather Abernathy
habernathy@ku.edu
785-864-4512Advertised Salary Range$90,000 - $100,000Work ScheduleM-F 8-5Application Review BeginsMonday October 14, 2024Anticipated Start DateMonday November 4, 2024Apply to Job

Organization

Working at the University of Kansas 

Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.

The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.  

The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.

KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging 

The University of Kansas is committed to a learning and workplace environment that is representative of our nation and global society, accepts and values everyone, appreciates our common humanity and understands that our multiple differences are the cornerstone of academic preparation, professional excellence and distinction. KU must be a place where all people feel they belong and have access to resources and support that help them attain their educational and professional goals.

We recognize there are inequalities and privileges generated by historical and persistent intersecting differences by race, ethnicity, gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, abilities, religion, regional background, veteran status, citizenship status and nationality. And we hold ourselves accountable for policies, processes and programs that appreciate these and other differences and create more fair, safe and just learning, working and living environments for KU students, faculty and staff.

Instruction 

KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.

Research 

The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.

Service 

The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.

International Dimension 

KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.

Values 

The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.

Our City and State 

KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.

Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.

Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.

Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.

Making KU Your Home 

Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.

At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert