Job Details

Associate Director, BioPACIFIC MIP

Position Number: 6842868
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Associate Director, BioPACIFIC MIP

University of California Santa Barbara

Position overview
Position title: BioPACIFIC MIP Associate Director Salary range: $88,371 to $141,646 Percent time: 100% Anticipated start: February 2, 2026 or later. Position duration: This is a one-year 100% appointment with possibility of renewal on an annual basis. Application Window

Open date: January 9, 2026

Next review date: Friday, Jan 23, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Associate Director, BioPACIFIC MIP

The BioPACIFIC MIP operates a state-of-the-art user facility dedicated to biomaterials discovery and development. This research eco-system integrates the very broad, disparate communities from Engineering, Materials, Biology, and Chemistry and enables materials innovation through high-throughput automation in synthetic biology and chemistry, characterization, computation, and data collection, analysis, and mining. BioPACIFIC MIP is seeking a motivated individual to lead the expansion of its world-class automated synthetic chemistry platform for novel biomaterials-driving engagement with industry, start-ups, and recharge users to both broaden the national user base and advance the program's long-term sustainability.

Reporting to the Executive Director and Director at UCSB of the NSF BioPACIFIC MIP, the Associate Director will drive innovation and industry relations, provide scientific oversight, and coordinate research activities. This role will cultivate an ecosystem that positions BioPACIFIC MIP within both current on-site facilities and new off-site UCSB facilities. They will strengthen connections with initiatives across the Colleges of Engineering (CoE), Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences (MLPS), and institutes such as the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI). Working independently yet collaboratively with BioPACIFIC MIP leadership, the Associate Director will develop and execute strategic plans that expand BioPACIFIC MIP's visibility, diversify funding streams, and accelerate the next generation of scientific innovation.

The Associate Director will have demonstrated success in leading cross-disciplinary research projects that integrate diverse technical domains and driving innovation from concept to execution. He/she will have an in-depth understanding of and experience with intellectual property strategy and scientific communication, with experience delivering high-quality technical reports and presentations to the NSF, internal and external partners, and stakeholders.

Strategic Program Planning & Management

Work closely with BioPACIFIC MIP leadership to develop strategic plans for sustaining and growing translational research programs and promoting technology development, innovation, and outreach activities.

Work closely with BioPACIFIC MIP leadership to report activities and results to NSF.

Identify new strategic research areas and funding opportunities through interactions with a variety of stakeholders, including center faculty, federal and state funding agencies, private foundations, executive officers and founders of major corporations and startups, and local and regional investors and stakeholders.

Develop and oversee shared research infrastructure within BioPACIFIC MIP to advance research, innovation, translation, work-force development, and entrepreneurship.

Work closely with UCSB's Technology & Industry Alliances Office on relevant industrial partnerships, patent, and licensing issues.

Work closely with BioPACIFIC MIP's Project Scientists to develop a Project Feasibility and Research Plan for both in-house researchers and external users.

Partnerships and Collaboration Research Opportunities

Work closely with BioPACIFIC MIP Project Scientists to develop, order, and install new automated equipment and modify existing equipment to expand capabilities and improve workflows.

Help integrate these tools with relevant characterization equipment and data gathering platforms.

Support the design of research and equipment workflows to drive the research mission of BioPACIFIC MIP.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Biology, Bioengineering, or closely related field or related experience.

Preferred qualifications

3+ years of industrial and research experience
Broad knowledge of the science and technology surrounding soft materials and automation.
Demonstrated hands-on experience working in synthetic organic and polymer chemistry laboratories.
Expertise in polymer synthesis, including radical ring-opening, controlled radical, and block copolymerization methods.
Experience designing and synthesizing degradable and recyclable polymers for advanced materials applications.
Skilled in materials characterization, including morphological, mechanical, and degradation studies.
Experience with solid-support synthesis, flow chemistry, and microphase-separated polymer systems.
Familiarity with high-throughput and automated synthesis workflows (Chemspeed, robotic platforms).
Proven industry experiences translating laboratory-scale materials to applied technologies in aerospace, defense, automotive, and related sectors.
Demonstrated record of innovation through publications, patents, and presentations at national and international conferences.
Strong experience coordinating multi-institutional and interdisciplinary research collaborations.
Skilled in project management, including planning, execution, and supervision of complex research initiatives, with proven ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple projects under demanding timelines.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to use diverse communication methods to effectively move projects forward and to generate reports to both the NSF as well as BioPACIFIC MIP leadership.
Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and supervisory experience across academic and industrial environments.
Demonstrated ability to write and prepare manuscripts for publication in high impact journals.
Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
2-Page Statement of Contributions to Research

Reference requirements

3-5 required (contact information only)

References for finalists will be contacted by a committee member.
Please provide an email address and telephone number for each reference provided.
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03039

Help contact: debbie@cnsi.ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Job location
Santa Barbara, Califormia

To apply, please visit: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03039