Professor of Practice / Executive Director for Lithium and Critical Minerals Research Initiative

Closing Date:

Type of Position:
Faculty - Non-Tenure

Workstudy Position:

No
Job Type:
Annual Appointment (Fixed Term)

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

Yes
Institution Name:
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Department:
Associate Vice Chancellor for Research

Department's Website:

Summary of Job Duties:
The University of Arkansas seeks an accomplished practitioner-leader to serve as Professor of Practice / Executive Director for Lithium and Critical Minerals Research Initiative, with a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure-track appointment as an open-rank Professor of Practice. The Executive Director reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Strategy in the Division of Research and Innovation and is based in Fayetteville, Arkansas with substantial statewide travel and regular presence in South Arkansas.

The initiative advances Lithium and Critical Minerals, one of five priority research growth areas in the 150 Forward Reaching Higher strategic plan. Candidates whose qualifications derive primarily from leadership in industry, government, a national laboratory, economic development, or a research consortium are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will be committed to the University's land-grant mission and to partnerships that create durable benefits for Arkansas communities.

The Executive Director will integrate research, education, workforce development, industry and government engagement, commercialization, and regional economic opportunity. The leader will build faculty teams, partnerships, and fundable concepts across lithium extraction and processing, battery and advanced materials, water and environmental systems, supply chains, policy, and workforce development.

Specific duties include:

Strategy and initiative leadership (20%): Develop and implement a university-wide strategy, governance, and operating plan.

Research development and funding (30%): Build interdisciplinary faculty teams and a pipeline of major proposals and agency engagement.

External, statewide, and workforce partnerships (30%): Serve as the front door for industry, government, and national laboratories, and build partnerships in South Arkansas.

Administration, budget, and coordination (20%): Manage budget and operations, and coordinate with University offices.

Candidates whose qualifications derive primarily from leadership in industry, government, a national laboratory, economic development, or a research consortium are encouraged to apply. Consistent with APS 1405.11, the Professor of Practice title is intended for practitioners with long-term, extensive professional experience rather than solely scholarly credentials. The ideal candidate will be committed to the University's land-grant mission and to partnerships that create durable benefits for Arkansas communities.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.
Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in engineering, geosciences, chemistry, materials science, environmental science, economics, supply chain, or a related discipline AND at least six (6) years of relevant professional practice or applied research experience in industry, government, national laboratories, or applied research programs

OR

• A Master's degree in a relevant field AND at least twelve (12) years of relevant professional experience, of which at least six (6) years must be applied research experience in critical minerals and/or lithium (e.g., resource characterization, extraction, processing, refining, battery materials, recycling, or technology development and scale-up)

Relevant combination of education and experience may be considered for the above qualifications

Rank will be determined by qualifications and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in critical minerals, lithium, batteries, mineral processing, energy systems, advanced manufacturing, water and environmental systems, extractive industries, supply chains, or logistics
• Experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, including interdisciplinary research teams, large-scale proposals, university-industry collaborations, consortia, or public-private partnerships
• Experience working with federal agencies (e.g., U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Department of the Interior/U.S. Geological Survey, National Science Foundation, or Department of Commerce), national laboratories, technology commercialization, intellectual property, sponsored research, or industry contracting
• Experience with workforce partnerships, community colleges, employer-aligned education, economic development, or regional innovation initiatives, including work in Arkansas, South Arkansas, or lithium development associated with the Smackover Formation
• Experience managing budgets, teams, and advisory structures, and launching or growing a center, institute, consortium, or comparable initiative

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the critical minerals and lithium value chain, including technology, markets, policy, and supply-chain considerations
• Strong communication, facilitation, project-management, and relationship-management skills, including translating technical information for varied audiences
• Ability to translate strategy into priorities, workplans, and timely, sound decisions, and to coordinate complex work
• Ability to build trust and work effectively across boundaries with faculty, administrators, technical professionals, industry and government leaders, workforce partners, and communities
• Ability and willingness to travel substantially within Arkansas, with regular in-person presence in South Arkansas, and nationally as needed

Qualification Equivalencies:
Applicable equivalencies may be considered on the qualification listed above.

Additional Information:

Not eligible for tenure. Initial appointment is annual and renewable; a merit-based, multi-year appointment may be considered at hire. Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV or résumé, a two-page leadership vision statement, and three professional references for consideration.

Salary Information:

Commensurate with education and experience

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Writing Sample

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:



All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Please attach your two-page leadership vision statement where indicated.
Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

Constant Physical Activity:
Talking
Frequent Physical Activity:
Talking
Occasional Physical Activity:
Talking
Benefits Eligible:
Yes