The Associate Director will serve as a key member of the leadership team for the Applied Research for National Security (ARNS) Lab at the University of Florida’s new Jacksonville campus as well as make contributions to the success of the Division of National Security Programs within the Office of Research. Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President for National Security Research / Executive Director of the ARNS Lab, this position will play a central role in shaping, launching, and executing the ARNS Lab’s applied research portfolio during its stand-up and early operational phases.
This role is responsible for coordinating research program development aligned with national security priorities, supporting sponsor engagement and capture activities, and integrating faculty and institutional capabilities into externally funded programs. The Associate Director will provide technical leadership and subject-matter expertise in the development of multidisciplinary research programs, helping translate emerging technologies, technical challenges, and national security mission needs into executable research initiatives. The successful candidate will work closely with government sponsors, industry partners, faculty investigators, and UF Research units to translate strategic priorities into executable research programs that support classified and unclassified national security missions.
The position requires the ability to engage credibly with technical experts, research leaders, government stakeholders, and industry partners on complex national security technology challenges and to exercise independent technical judgment in shaping research opportunities and priorities. This position is also highly collaborative, externally facing, and execution-focused, requiring strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to operate in an evolving, startup-like environment.
35% – Research Program Development & Execution
•Lead development of applied research programs aligned with ARNS Lab core technical areas, including AI-enabled systems engineering, microelectronics and hardware security, space and radiation-tolerant systems, advanced materials, and biosecurity.
•Translate sponsor priorities and mission needs into executable research concepts and program plans.
•Apply technical expertise and national security experience to identify high-value research opportunities, evaluate technical approaches, and help shape multidisciplinary research programs.
•Coordinate faculty engagement across UF to assemble interdisciplinary teams aligned with sponsor-driven opportunities.
•Support early-stage program planning for secure research activities in coordination with security and compliance leadership.
•Participate in planning of the laboratory physical space and critical technology capabilities
20% – Proposal Development & Capture Support
•Support and, where appropriate, lead the development of complex, multi-investigator proposals, white papers, RFIs, and concept papers for federal sponsors, including DoD and Intelligence Community partners.
•Provide technical and strategic input on proposal framing, technical narratives, teaming structures, and alignment with sponsor mission priorities.
•Coordinate proposal timelines, inputs, and reviews in collaboration with UF Research, Sponsored Research, and Contracts offices.
•Assist in developing reusable proposal materials, technical capability descriptions, and standard content for ARNS Lab submissions.
30% – Sponsor, Industry, and Partner Engagement
•Support engagement with government sponsors, defense primes, and small businesses to identify collaboration opportunities and shape future programs.
•Participate in meetings, briefings, and site visits with external partners as a representative of the ARNS Lab.
•Engage with government and industry technical leaders to understand emerging national security technology needs and identify opportunities for ARNS Lab research and collaboration.
•Help structure collaborative research models, including partnerships, consortia, CRADAs, and MOUs, in coordination with ARNS Lab leadership.
•Serve as a bridge between external partners and internal UF research capabilities.
15% – Technical Strategic Planning & Internal Coordination
•Support the Executive Director in refining and updating the ARNS Lab’s short- and long-term technical research strategy.
•Assist in defining research priorities, sequencing program growth, and identifying capability gaps.
•Provide technical perspective on the development of the ARNS Lab research portfolio, emerging capability needs, and opportunities for technology transition.
•Coordinate with internal UF partners (UF Research, Compliance, Security, HR, Communications) to ensure research programs are executable and compliant.
•Contribute to internal planning documents, briefings, and leadership updates.
•Provide technical guidance and assistance in identifying appropriate technical resources, mentors, and subject-matter experts to support ARNS Lab student research teams and related educational activities.