Director of Research & Strategic Initiatives, Berkeley Air & Space Center

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Departmental Overview

Berkeley Air & Space Center is a proposed groundbreaking 36-acre innovation campus at NASA Research Park in Silicon Valley, where academia, government mission agencies, global industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and international partners come together to accelerate breakthroughs in air and space systems.

The Center connects and leverages the combined capabilities of academic research, government mission needs, and private sector innovation to advance technologies across aerospace systems, autonomy, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, quantum computing, life in extreme environments, and other deep technology domains.

The Center is designed to serve as a national hub for innovation, integrating research, workforce development, and technology transition at scale.

Position Summary

The Director serves as the senior research program leader, responsible for the architecture, funding, governance, and execution of the Center's research and strategic initiatives portfolio, as well as for the development and operation of the Center's research enterprise.

In partnership with:

• the Chief Technical Officer (technical direction and mission alignment), and
• the Deputy Faculty Director (academic leadership and faculty engagement),

The Director integrates research strategy, partnerships, and execution into a cohesive portfolio of programs.

The role operates with a high degree of autonomy and accountability for ensuring that research initiatives are well-structured, fundable, scalable, and successfully delivered, bridging the gap between concept and impact.


Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is June 2, 2026


Responsibilities

Research Strategy & Program Architecture

Translate technical priorities (CTO) and academic priorities (faculty leadership) into structured research programs. Design multi-year research initiatives with defined goals, success metrics, evaluation frameworks, and transition pathways. Identify emerging opportunities and capability gaps across aerospace, autonomy, space systems, and dual-use technologies. Develop scalable and repeatable program architectures integrating research, testing, and transition.

Program Execution & Portfolio Oversight

Provide senior leadership for the execution of sponsored research and strategic initiatives. Ensure alignment across technical, academic, financial, and sponsor requirements. Oversee program performance, milestones, deliverables, and reporting. Conduct program reviews and implement course corrections as needed.

Research Enterprise Development & Operations

Design, build, and operate the Center's research enterprise, including:

• organizational structures (research staff, fellows, program leads)
• operating processes (program lifecycle, governance, reporting)
• systems (program tracking, sponsor engagement, knowledge management)

Establish best practices for research governance, performance management, and portfolio scaling. Develop repeatable models for launching and managing multiple concurrent research programs. Build and sustain a diversified ecosystem of research sponsors across government, industry, and philanthropy.

Strategic Initiatives & Workforce Development

Design and oversee strategic initiatives aligned with research priorities and workforce needs. Develop programs that connect research to workforce pipelines and industry demand. Collaborate with campus partners to implement education and training initiatives.

Partnerships & External Engagement

Build and sustain strategic relationships with government agencies, national laboratories, industry, and international partners. Represent the Center in sponsor briefings, technical forums, and policy engagements.

Sponsored Research Development & Funding

Lead development of large-scale research proposals and initiatives. Structure integrated programs that align technical, academic, and sponsor priorities. Serve as PI or co-PI as appropriate. Build and manage a diversified portfolio of funding sources.

Academic Program Strategy & Faculty Coordination

Enable faculty participation in large-scale research initiatives. Coordinate interdisciplinary research clusters and collaborations. Advise on research-integrated academic and professional programs.

Subject-Matter Expertise & Research Contribution

Maintain an active area of expertise aligned with the Center's priorities. Contribute to research, publications, and thought leadership. Lead or co-lead select research initiatives within their domain.


Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 6-8 years of relevant professional experience in research program leadership, technology policy, national security, aerospace, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of experience/education and knowledge.
• Demonstrated experience designing, funding, and executing complex, multi-year research programs involving multiple stakeholders
• Experience working across academia, government, and/or industry, with a strong understanding of how to align these sectors
• Proven experience in structuring and managing multi-partner research initiatives, including collaborations with universities, government agencies, national laboratories, or industry
• Experience developing or contributing to successful research proposals, grants, or sponsored programs, including budget development and sponsor engagement
• Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and manage multiple concurrent programs
• Experience briefing or engaging senior stakeholders (e.g., government officials, industry leaders, academic leadership)
• Must either have or be willing and able to obtain security clearance upon hire.
• Doctorate in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a research leadership role, such as:
  • Director or Associate Director of a research center or lab
  • Research program lead or principal investigator on sponsored programs
  • Senior role in a policy, research, or national security organization
• Experience building or scaling a research organization or program portfolio from early-stage to maturity
• Background in national security, defense, aerospace, or dual-use technology domains
• Experience working with U.S. government agencies (e.g., DoD, DOE, NASA, State Department) or national laboratories
• Experience designing and executing scenario exercises, simulations, or applied research programs
• Experience engaging with international partners or multi-country collaborations
• Track record of publications, policy reports, or thought leadership in relevant domains
• Experience operating in emerging or interdisciplinary domains where research, policy, and technology intersect

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time, career position. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement of up to 60% (within the United States). Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.

This position is eligible for full UC Benefits. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $150,000 - $200,000 annually. The full range for this classification is $112,400 - $214,000 annually.


Other Information

This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between the UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for RP.

This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.


How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.


Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.


Misconduct Disclosure

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

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, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace


Equal Employment Opportunity

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.