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Director of California Energy Research Center, CSUB

The California Energy Research Center (CERC) at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) plays a critical role in shaping the future research landscape in energy related areas in Kern County and in translating research to education and community activities. With the recent investment of $83M from the State of California, a new Energy Innovation Building (EIB) is now under construction. The EIB will offer modernized space and facilities to enhance the capacity of CERC, which will serve as a regional hub to connect researchers, educators, energy-related industries, and government agencies. In 2024, CERC received a $2.5M endowment to support its future development.

The Director of the CERC will provide leadership to advance the mission of CERC by cultivating interdisciplinary research in energy areas, developing external collaboration with industry, organizations, and communities to drive future energy solutions, and bringing new opportunities to faculty and students at CSUB. Directly reporting to the Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering (NSME), the CERC Director is an essential member in the College’s leadership team. The position of CERC Director offers the chance to develop and grow a new, energy-focused innovation hub that will harness the expertise of faculty, the enthusiasm of students and the experience of community partners to address issues of importance to the region and beyond.  We seek an individual who enjoys creating new opportunities, forging partnerships, and building a legacy of impactful, long-lasting contributions that will positively influence generations to come.  

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Organizational Development and Optimization
   1. Initiate the development of CERC infrastructure by leveraging shared resources with the support of CSUB and NSME leadership;
   2. Steward the growth direction of CERC. Work closely with CSUB leadership, the NSME Dean, CERC External Advisory Board to ensure that CERC development is aligned with the CSUB strategic direction and the needs of local economic and workforce development;
   3. Bring all stakeholders together to create a comprehensive strategic plan for CERC;
   4. Ensure that CERC’s development and operations adhere to CSU/CSUB policies;
   5. Adapt CERC’s operations, including fiscal and personnel management, to support the center's evolving needs.
2. Cultivate Interdisciplinary Research:
   1. Develop and maintain an up-to-date database of faculty expertise at CSUB to facilitate research collaboration across campus;
   2. Connect faculty with research opportunities by building partnerships with other area colleges, research universities, industry R&D sectors, and national laboratories;
   3. Build interdisciplinary faculty and student research teams that work closely with external partners;
   4. Work with the NSME Dean to build a faculty community to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
3. Lead Efforts to Solicit External Funding:
   1. Expand energy-focused grant writing in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and CSUB’s Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs;
   2. Connect external funding opportunities with faculty;
   3. Work with University Advancement to cultivate and increase financial support for the center and its activities.
4. Increase Student and Faculty Opportunities:
   1. Create opportunities for students to engage in research projects, professional practice, and internships;
   2. Provide support for students to participate in professional conferences to present their work, including the CERC Annual Symposium;
   3. Work with faculty to translate research into educational activities;
   4. Create student-faculty research collaborations and internships;
   5. Provide professional development for faculty to enhance their research and grant writing capacity;
   6. Support technology transfer and intellectual property development.
5. Position CERC as a Hub to Drive Energy Innovation for the Region:
   1. Increase the visibility of CERC by strategically publicizing CERC activities and accomplishments;
   2. Organize and host the annual CERC Symposium;
   3. Work with faculty, students, staff and community partners to host outreach activities;
   4. Expand the CERC Advisory Board and host meetings regularly to engage key stakeholders;
   5.  to the CERC website to provide the community with useful information about energy-related issues

Qualifications:

The successful candidate should have a broad vision of the future of energy solutions, a proven record of leading collaborative projects, a commitment to supporting faculty and students, and the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and administration across campus as well as various stakeholders outside of CSUB.  The ideal candidate should possess the following qualifications:

• A doctorate degree is preferred but not required. The candidate should have an advanced degree and substantial experiences and expertise in science/engineering related to energy areas. If the candidate’s academic or industry accomplishments are appropriate for faculty appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor in one of the academic disciplines in the College of NSME, retreat rights will be considered in the appropriate department;
• Leadership and managerial experience in either academic or industry settings;
• A proven record of successfully obtaining and managing external grants;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including demonstrated skills in communication, both written and oral, and interaction with diverse groups and populations;
• Ability to develop positive, productive relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders;
• A strong work ethic and the ability to independently set and achieve milestones and goals, meet deadlines, and follow through on commitments;
• Ability to build and maintain effective cross-disciplinary and/or inter-departmental teams;
• A demonstrated dedication to the principles of diversity, inclusion, equity, accessibility, and justice. 

• A commitment to undergraduate and graduate student research and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Compensation: This appointment is in the Management Personnel Plan and is a full-time, 12-month position.  The pay basis is monthly.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $140,004 - $160,008

However, offer amount will be commensurate with candidate’s experience, education, skills, and training.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $57,744 - $185,388

Benefits:  CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 14 paid holidays per year and more!  See our benefits website for additional information.

General Information:

Centrally located on a 375-acre site in the southern San Joaquin Valley, California State University, Bakersfield is home to the Roadrunners — moving forward at lightning speed and championing intellectual progress. CSUB has continuously risen in national rankings over the past decade for its economic value and commitment to student success. Its students are brilliant and increasingly diverse — with most graduates remaining in the Valley to solve our region’s complex challenges.

The university serves approximately 10,000 students at either the main campus in Bakersfield or at its CSUB Antelope Valley extension campus and counts approximately 60,000 alumni from its four schools:

• Arts and Humanities
• Business and Public Administration
• Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering
• Social Sciences and Education

The university offers 57 undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition, CSUB Extended Education offers many professional development opportunities, certificates and degree programs to the community.

As part of NCAA Division I, the university is home to 16 athletics teams competing in the Big West Conference.

CSUB is the only public university within 100 miles of its southern San Juaquin Valley location. It is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). As a designated Hispanic Serving Institution, the university is committed to diversity, social justice, and equity. Many of its students are the first generation in their families to attend college, and they are known as trailblazers achieving new heights of success.

Application Process:

Complete Applications must include the three (3) items listed below:

1. A cover letter clearly addressing how their experience, current responsibilities, and qualifications meet the standards and responsibilities as outlined in the job announcement above
2. A complete curriculum vitae, and
3. The names, email, mailing address, and telephone numbers of at least three (3) references.

Application Deadline:  

Review of applications will begin as of December 10, 2024. For full consideration, applications should be submitted by December 10, 2024; however, the search will remain open until filled.

Background Check: Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment.  CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Mandated Reporter:  The person holding this position is considered a limited mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.

Sensitive Position: This position is considered a sensitive position. Sensitive positions are designated by the CSU as requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position, based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of the people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to the CSU or individuals in the university community.

Designated Position: This position is currently on the List of Conflict of Interest Designated Positions for CSU Bakersfield.  This requires the filing of a statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every two years thereafter.   

EEO Statement: California State University, Bakersfield is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. Applicants will be considered without regard to gender, race, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability or covered veteran status.