How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

The ZEUS Facility Manager (FM) will oversee the management of the National Science Foundation (NSF) ZEUS user facility, working alongside the (faculty) ZEUS Director and Associate Director, to ensure its safe and effective operation as a user facility. The FM will supervise ZEUS staff, coordinate with ZEUS research faculty, and manage the day-to-day facility operation, facility maintenance, facility schedule, and assist with reporting. The FM will have an understanding of high power laser systems and experiments as well the mission and goals of scientific user facilities. The FM will work with the ZEUS Business Operations Manager to coordinate budgeting, planning, scheduling, and procedural change.

Responsibilities*

• Overseeing the day-to-day operation of the NSF ZEUS facility including coordination of daily user meetings, and resolving issues with the facility operation. This will require communication with users, the ZEUS experimental, laser and engineering team to ensure smooth running of the facility
• Coordinating and planning meetings; with users to plan their experimental time, monthly Facility Management Committee (FMC) meeting with the NSF, annual meeting of the External Advisory Board (EAB), the annual ZEUS User Group (ZUG) meeting and the annual NSF panel site review of the facility
• Managing the staff schedules to ensure smooth operation of the facility
• Managing the facility schedule, including the experiment allocations and maintenance periods, to ensure efficient operation
• Coordinating the system maintenance (including maintenance performed by ZEUS staff, maintenance by external vendors, and infrastructure maintenance)
• The FM will be responsible for overseeing facility safety (safety of the users, staff, and the system itself)
• Coordinating the annual proposal call, and review process
• Assist with required reporting to the NSF, including leading the assembly of the annual report to NSF, particularly the scientific and system content
• Keep track of experimental statistics and user feedback to make the facility more efficient and productive
• Management duties include interviewing, selecting and training of employees; setting and adjusting rates of pay and hours of work; planning and directing their work; appraising their productivity and efficiency for the purpose of recommending promotions or other changes in their status; handling their complaints and grievances and disciplining when necessary
• Updating the Project Execution Plan (PEP) as necessary
• The FM will work with the ZEUS Business Operations Manager to coordinate on budgeting, controlling costs, planning, scheduling, and procedural change
• Other duties as assigned by the ZEUS Director

Required Qualifications*

• PhD degree in laser science, plasma physics or related discipline
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in an experimental research environment
• Excellent leadership skills and the ability to effectively communicate with faculty, staff, students and others
• Excellent organizational and prioritizing skills
• Experience in managing people and teams
• Experience with complex optics, vacuum systems
• Excellent problem-solving skills, including the demonstrated ability to synthesize ideas, anticipate next steps and prioritize important decisions
• Proficient in general office software (i.e. Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel, PowerPoint,Teams, etc. and Google Workspace)
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, analyze, and critically evaluate technical information
• Ability to accurately document technical data
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be able to work effectively with minimal supervision

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience in a high-power laser laboratory
• Experience working in a user facility

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

This position is classified as onsite. Occasional travel for meetings may also be required.

Additional Information

• This position requires work in the laser clean room, necessitating the use of PPE
• The person in this position routinely presents information at events and in meetings
• May require work during early mornings, nights, and/or weekends
• This position may require travel domestically and/or internationally

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

283796

Working Title

ZEUS Facility Manager

Job Title

Laboratory Director

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

College Engineering

Department

CoE EECS - ECE Division

Posting Begin/End Date

9/30/2026 - 10/30/2026

Salary

$149,000.00 - $173,000.00

Career Interest

Research