Research Technology Officer

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants. This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding. POSITION SPECIFICSThe Penn State National Security Institute (NSI) invites applications for a non-tenure-line research faculty position to serve in a senior technical leadership role with the working title Research Technology Officer (RTO). Appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Research Professor, Associate Research Professor, or Research Professor, depending on the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.NSI advances interdisciplinary research, strategic partnerships, and mission-relevant innovation to address critical national security challenges. The Institute connects Penn State’s broad research capabilities with government, defense, homeland security, and industry needs, with an emphasis on technically excellent, translational, and deployable solutions.Position OverviewThe RTO will help shape NSI’s technical strategy and research growth by identifying emerging opportunities, building interdisciplinary teams, leading large-proposal development, and strengthening external partnerships. This is a highly collaborative role for a candidate who can operate effectively at the intersection of research strategy, technical credibility, sponsor engagement, and institutional coordination.Key ResponsibilitiesIdentify and develop strategic technical opportunities aligned with NSI priorities and sponsor needs.Lead or co-lead development of large, complex, multi-investigator and multi-institution proposals.Convene Penn State faculty and external collaborators around high-value national security challenges.Help define technical road maps for major initiatives, centers, consortia, and partnerships.Build and maintain relationships with government agencies, industry partners, laboratories, and other external stakeholders.Advise institute leadership on technical positioning, investment priorities, and capability development.Support translation of research into mission-ready, dual-use, or...