PNF Operations Manager

Department
 

PME Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility

About the Department
 

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, which was founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next phase of growth as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.

Job Summary
 

The Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility (PNF) Operations Manager will administer the overall operations of the cleanroom, including serving as the central person for cleanroom user oversight, assistance and training, and process verification, and will also oversee and participate in the development and implementation of processes for users, track usage and charges for use of instruments in the nanofabrication facility. This individual is expected to independently manage multiple administrative tasks, strategic initiatives, and projects with competing priorities and deadlines. This role will plan and execute preventative, regular maintenance through the operators, nanofabrication staff, contractors, and equipment vendors, and maintain compliance with federal and local authorities. Collaborate with the Faculty Director and Executive Director of the Nanofabrication facility to maintain efficient and sustained cleanroom operations with the goal of maximizing the cleanroom tool-up time. The Operations Manager must be able to work in the cleanroom and chemical laboratory environments and is also expected to work with compressed gases, acids, solvents, vacuum pump oils, and other chemicals.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the installation, maintenance, repair, and safety oversight of various nanofabrication processing tools within the PNF cleanroom.
• Coordinates user access and training for NRL resources and contributes to process design and development for multi-step nanofabrication processes.
• Manages laboratory operations and lab space, including the purchase and management of materials and chemical inventories, coordinating tool installation and maintenance, supervising material handling, and maintaining and updating PNF safety documents as needed (i.e. authorized chemical list, chemical hygiene plan etc.).
• Generates processing and tool operation guidelines and operating procedures as well as supervises, interacts with, and directs the heavy machinery cleaning crew. Maintains relationships with cleanroom laundry vendors, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating on best practices.
• Manages and maintains all external user agreements through Aura. Conducts training for users on equipment and safety protocols. Co-teaches PNF-01L Safety class with process engineers. Oversees all user registrations, including ensuring users complete all training requirements, and user agreements for internal and external users are executed in a timely manner.
• Facilitates general cleanroom and laboratory space upkeep and maintenance. Researches and identifies opportunities for improvements, in collaboration with PNF engineers, to maintain operational efficiency.
• Acts as the communication interface with vendors, faculty, and administrative leadership for organizational matters.
• Ensures effective implementation of defined processes throughout the team and provides regular feedback to the Faculty and Executive Directors to facilitate process improvement in order to meet targeted growth deliverables.
• Performs a variety of administrative responsibilities including, but not limited to sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding recruits; generating reports; maintaining the website, and delivering presentations; administering, promoting, and compiling annual NNCI user survey results, as well as creating the semi-annual reports for NNCI funding. Supports annual operational planning (AOP) processes, business planning, and performance review cycles.
• Manages multiple fiduciary responsibilities including maintaining all billing, and accounts receivables, and purchase orders; maintaining and updating FAS budgets; providing weekly, monthly and quarterly financial reports and analysis; managing the PNF Financial Services Transformation transition; monitoring PNF credit card account, transfer funds; and maintaining ongoing recharge reports.
• Manages all student volunteer and student worker access and activities.
• In collaboration with PME IT and Communications, facilitates team-based events for training, development, recognition, public events/functions, projects, and other organizational initiatives.
• Sets and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Has moderate/high levels of interactions with faculty, researchers, and staff for committee work or information.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• 3+ years of progressively responsible business and administrative experience.  
• Working within an academic or complex administrative environment.

Preferred Competencies

• Leadership and management of personnel.
• Excellent communication skills to work and interface with all stakeholders.
• Understand and generate documents related to safety rules, operation, maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Strong communication, and presentation skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to work cross-functionally.
• Analyze data and develop summaries and reports with some complexity.
• Self-starter who can work independently, as well as be a team contributor in a fast-paced organization.
• Demonstrate excellent analytical reasoning, problem-solving skills, organizational skills, and work with frequent interruptions and minimal supervision.
• Adapt to a flexible and fast-changing environment. This includes studying and learning unfamiliar techniques, tools, and applications quickly and independently.
• High degree of professionalism.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Administration & Management

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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