The Director of Research & Development provides strategic and administrative leadership for the Alaska Critical Mineral Accelerator's Research & Development functional area and serves on the organization's leadership team. Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, the Director is responsible for the strategic planning, development, coordination, implementation, and assessment of ACMA's enterprise-wide research and development strategy in support of the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine.

This position directs a complex portfolio of use-inspired research and development investments that advance critical mineral technologies from scientific discovery toward commercialization and deployment. Working across industry, Alaska Native Corporations, universities, national laboratories, federal agencies, and other strategic partners, the Director establishes long-range research priorities, develops organizational policies and governance frameworks, oversees portfolio performance, and ensures research investments align with industry demand, technology translation, workforce development, and long-term economic competitiveness.

The Director exercises broad administrative discretion within ACMA's use-inspired Research & Development functional area and serves as the organization's senior technical advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Leadership Team. Success in this role requires balancing scientific excellence with technology deployment, commercialization, and ecosystem development while building partnerships that strengthen Alaska's innovation economy and position ACMA for long-term sustainability.

To thrive in this role, you must be equally comfortable discussing emerging technologies with researchers, evaluating investment opportunities with industry executives, advising organizational leadership on strategic priorities, and representing ACMA before federal agencies and national partners. The position is expected to lead through influence, build trust across diverse organizations, and translate complex technical challenges into practical strategies that deliver measurable economic and societal impact.

Successful candidates will bring a demonstrated ability to develop long-range strategy, establish organizational priorities, and lead complex research and innovation portfolios within matrixed environments. Candidates must understand how to balance scientific rigor with commercialization, manage competing priorities across multiple organizations, and make sound decisions that advance both organizational objectives and stakeholder interests.

This role is ideal for an individual with deep industry experience who enjoys building organizations, cultivating partnerships, mentoring technical teams, and creating innovation ecosystems that move ideas from concept to deployment. Candidates should be energized by ambiguity, motivated by solving complex challenges, and excited by the opportunity to help establish one of the nation's premier regional innovation ecosystems for critical minerals.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree in engineering, geosciences, metallurgy, mineral processing, chemistry, materials science, environmental science, biotechnology, computer or data science, and at least six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in research and development, technology development, applied research, industrial innovation, mining or mineral technology, or related technical leadership. Or, an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible executive experience may be considered. PhD is preferred.

Preferred experience
Executive or senior leadership experience within the mining, critical minerals, mineral processing, energy, or related industrial sectors. Experience leading large federally funded initiatives or complex public-private partnerships; and familiarity with Alaska's mining industry, innovation ecosystem, and regional economic development priorities.

Candidates must demonstrate substantial experience providing strategic leadership for complex technical organizations, research investment portfolios, or enterprise research and development functions involving multiple stakeholders and external partnerships. Experience developing long-range strategic plans, establishing organizational priorities, leading multidisciplinary teams, negotiating partnerships, and managing complex technical initiatives is required.

The successful candidate will possess a demonstrated understanding of technology translation, commercialization, and the application of research to solve industry challenges. Experience collaborating with industry, universities, federal laboratories, government agencies, and other research organizations is essential.

Position Details:

This position is full-time, Grade 84 , term-funded, exempt, 12-month position complete with a competitive salary and UA employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental, and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA staff salary schedule , based on education and experience.

Please attach a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information of three (3) professional references with your application.

We review applications on a rolling basis. Because we may close the posting once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is established, we encourage early submission. Please note that once a viable pool is identified, further applications may not be reviewed.

This position is located at the UAF campus in Fairbanks, Alaska. Remote work agreements will be considered for this position.

The University of Alaska (UA) requires employees to work on-site based on operational and business needs. Hybrid and remote work arrangements may be considered only for positions specifically designated and advertised as eligible for hybrid or remote work. Any approved arrangement will be based on the position's duties, operational needs, and the employee's ability to effectively perform the work remotely.

To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE .

If you need assistance applying to this posting, please contact GI - Office of Human Resources at 907-474-7357 or at [email protected] .

To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.