Manager - Research Facilities

About the role

The Manager - Research Facilities will be responsible for design, construction, and maintenance of equipment for thin film vacuum deposition processes. The position will support research in the Selva Research Group directed by Prof. Venkat Selvamanickam in 6,000 sq.ft. laboratories on UH campus and 22,000 sq. ft facilities at the Technology Bridge of the University of Houston.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise in support of research projects in engineering, biology, mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, etc.
• Prepare and edit research papers, proposals, and reports.
• Perform advanced testing procedures and analyses of data; prepare samples for testing as needed.
• Make use of a variety of specialized equipment typical within area of specialization.
• Contribute to grant proposal development.
• Ensure experiments are performed according to specifications; make recommendations to changes in procedure, processes, or experimental design.
• Apply advanced knowledge of a professional natural, physical, or engineering field or multiple fields of specialization to develop unique and new approaches or ideas.
• Plan and conduct research in one or more large and complex areas of specialization.
• Review and manage progress of projects; liaise with other areas of specialization to obtain support or technical expertise.
• Define procedures or processes to be used in experimental processes; personally conduct important and/or technically complex investigations.
• Oversee administrative activities, including the supervision and evaluation of personnel.
• Operate with wide latitude for unreviewed action subject only to institutional policies and guidelines and ethical considerations.
• Design, construct, improve, and troubleshoot thin film vacuum deposition process tools for metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), magnetron sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, and ion beam assisted deposition.
• Implement concepts developed by R&D scientific staff into equipment design and construction.
• Troubleshoot and improve existing equipment to achieve desired functionality.
• Coordinate with Facilities department to install power, exhaust, water, and other utilities for the equipment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering with a strong background in mechanical, electrical and electronics engineering. (AAS degree with substantial relevant work experience will also be considered.)
• 5+ years of experience in design, construction, and troubleshooting of thin film vacuum deposition equipment.
• 5+ years of experience in design, construction, and troubleshooting of control systems for motion, heat, vacuum, flow, power, RF, and deposition components.
• Software expertise to automate equipment.
• Expertise in design software, particularly SOLIDWORKS.
• Experience working in an R&D or technology-driven environment and management of laboratory facilities is preferred.
• Requires a minimum of five (5) years of directly job-related experience; experience can be considered in lieu of education if directly related.

Pay & schedule

Salary is commensurate with experience and education. Anticipated start date: 11/1/2026.