The University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science seeks a visionary academic leader to serve as the Executive Director of Science at Cal. Science at Cal was established in 2009 as an initiative to network members of the UC Berkeley science, technology, engineering and mathematics community to engage public audiences across all demographics in STEM learning. During summer 2019, Science at Cal became a key program of the Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley’s public science center established in 1968.
Science at Cal supports the advancement of the public’s understanding of science by creating opportunities for the UC Berkeley Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) research community to share the wonder, excitement and relevance of their research with public audiences. Accessibility, inclusiveness, creativity and innovation are hallmarks of Science at Cal events (public lectures, community events, etc.) which reach tens of thousands of people annually. Science at Cal activities are designed to meet several goals: (1) Share the results of UC Berkeley’s research and the enthusiasm of our scientists with the public at large; (2) Provide a unified interface to respond to requests from outside groups, build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, and exploit collaborative opportunities with other Bay Area and national actors to improve the public understanding of science (e.g., Bay Area Science Festival); (3) Support outreach activities of centers, departments, faculty, postdocs, and graduate and undergraduate students, making outreach efforts easy, efficient, effective, fun and rewarding, thus creating a culture of education and public outreach on campus that is fully integrated in our research and education; and (4) Implement creative ways to strengthen the participation and engagement of underserved communities

The Lawrence Hall of Science’s mission is to inspire and foster STEM learning for all, especially those with limited access to science. The Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley is one of the country’s few science centers that is part of a top-tier, public research university. This distinctive affiliation allows the Hall to engage world-class scientists, engineers, and educators in developing and disseminating the most innovative and effective science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs available today. As UC Berkeley’s public science center, the Hall provides a window into Berkeley’s cutting-edge research, exciting discoveries, and transformative innovations. The Hall supports public understanding of “big ideas” that form conceptual building blocks for such discoveries and innovations. The Hall’s mission is to inspire and foster science learning for all, especially those who have limited access to science. Equity is at the heart of our mission; we pay special attention to engaging those from low-income communities and from groups underrepresented in STEM fields. Hall programs are designed to meet three critical goals: (1) activating youth interest in STEM learning and careers; (2) improving scientific and environmental literacy of youth and the public; and (3) increasing the number of underrepresented youth who pursue STEM. The Hall’s portfolio is diverse and far-reaching, contributing to the local and national agenda to inspire, prepare, and diversify the STEM workforce.

The Executive Director of Science at Cal is expected to provide the day to day leadership of Science at Cal and to develop its full potential while being fully involved in further sharpening UC Berkeley’s vision of public science outreach and presence in the community, including the most underserved neighborhoods. The Executive Director reports to the Director of the Lawrence Hall of Science and will work with the Science at Cal Faculty Lead and Steering Committee, the Chief Scientist of the Lawrence Hall of Science, the Lawrence Hall of Science Faculty Advisory Committee Chair and members, members of the Council of Science & Engineering Deans and the Dean of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Berkeley Research and Development Office (BRDO), and the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost as needed.

Appointment: Full-time 1-year appointment, renewable dependent on budget and performance.

Key Responsibilities:
-The Executive Director of Science at Cal will work with all these various stakeholders to:
-Ensure the continuing development of the vision, innovation and ongoing planning for Science at Cal.
-Oversee Science at Cal’s programmatic activities to provide guidance and ensure alignment with Science at Cal’s mission, values, goals and benchmarks.
-Provide leadership for UC Berkeley, the Lawrence Hall of Science, and for the field related to (1) designing opportunities for broader impact, education, public outreach, and science education and (2) connecting faculty to existing and new opportunities.
-Work collaboratively with Campus and Hall leadership to realize synergies across the existing science communication portfolios of both Science at Cal and —The Lawrence Hall of Science and coordinate sharing and collaboration across programs.
-Ensure that Science at Cal has an explicit approach and framework for actively promoting equity, inclusion, and cultural relevance.
-Prepare conference presentations, articles and blogs for presentation/publication.
-Report Science at Cal’s current and projected activities, progress toward its goals, and budgetary status and projected needs.
-Lead development of proposals to private foundations and federal and state agencies, and for service agreements with organizations and agencies related to environmental literacy and education.
-Serve as a principal investigator/project director and oversee funded projects and prepare reports for funding agencies.
-Represent Science at Cal and The Lawrence Hall of Science locally, statewide and nationally.

Basic Qualifications (must be possessed at the time of application)
-Bachelor’s or equivalent international degree

Additional Qualifications (must be obtained by the position’s start date)
-Master’s degree or equivalent international degree
-Minimum 5 years working experience

Preferred Qualifications
-Bachelor’s or equivalent international degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM)-related field.
-Master’s degree or equivalent international degree in communications, education, and/or a STEM-related field.
-Minimum 5 years working experience in STEM, communications, education, outreach and/or a STEM-related field.
-Ph.D. or equivalent international degree, or enrollment in a Ph.D. or equivalent international degree program, or equivalent work experience, in a field related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) communication, or education
-Experience designing and/or implementing broader impacts and/or public outreach programs related to STEM research
-Experience engaging children and adults in learning about STEM
-Demonstrated project management and project leadership experience (design, development, implementation, budget management, staff supervision)
-Successful track record catalyzing, leading, and participating in collaborations among scientists/engineers/mathematicians, educators, community and organizational leaders
-Demonstrated understanding of research on science communication and/or STEM learning
-Demonstrated experience working with STEM faculty and researchers
-Demonstrated experience working in and/or with communities of color and/or other marginalized communities
-Excellent oral and written communication skills
-Track record writing funding proposals
-Ability to work collaboratively on a variety of teams, and to bring out the best in team members
-Demonstrated understanding of issues and challenges in supporting community-based and/or educational organizations to build their capacity for delivering high STEM learning and/or communication programs and for partnering with school systems
-Proficiency in a second language other than English, Spanish preferred.

Required References: Please provide contact information for 3 references.

To Apply: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF02313

This search will remain open until filled. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Approximate Starting Date: As soon as possible.

Contact Jasmine Lopez at lopezj@berkeley.edu for application questions.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy
see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct