Campus Location: Coastal Research Center

Department: School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Salary Range:  $128.000.00 to $138,000.00

Salary Information: NJ State employees are offered a full benefits package: medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage, paid time off, paid holidays, pension/retirement plan, supplemental retirement saving plan options, disability Insurance, and tax saving programs.

University Pensions & Benefits Information Webpage

Work Hours: Varies

Brief Job Overview/Summary

The Director of the Coastal Research Center provides leadership for Stockton University's applied coastal research, overseeing externally funded projects, strategic partnerships, and Center operations. Reporting to the Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the Director manages personnel, budgets, contracts, and research activities, while ensuring the delivery of high-quality scientific services. The Director also supports the University's academic mission through student engagement, collaboration with faculty, and contributions to teaching and research, while serving as the Center's primary representative to government agencies, clients, and other external partners.  This is a Grant Funded position with an anticipated start date of October 5, 2026.

Descriptions of Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Solicit and negotiate contracts reflecting the scope of work and financial arrangements with prospective clients and governmental agencies
• Coordinate with the University Grants Office to allow institutional oversight of the projects as they are being developed in their pre-proposal phase, their operational phase, and their final report phase
• Recruit, train, and supervise key employees, while providing the guidance and leadership to have them successfully take on the operational and research activity of the Coastal Research Center
• Check and review the data collection methodology, the validity of that information, and the means used to process it into deliverables to the Coastal Research Center clients
• Write, read, and review reports going out under the Coastal Research Center banner
• Represent the University at and attend key meeting; meet with clients and appropriate federal, state, and municipal offices and provide requested information to those government officials so that they can make the best use of limited resources that would allow them to make sound, scientifically-based decisions and focus their attention on the proper issues facing the New Jersey coastal community
• Review and examine all project financial paperwork to minimize errors and omissions in processing the flow of funds through the Coastal Research Center
• Provide the advice and resource materials to NAMS undergraduate and graduate programs in Marine Science, Environmental Science, Geology, and Sustainability
• Work as Principal Investigator, leading scientific field studies and setting the direction of scientific research for the CRC
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of New Jersey coastal systems, coastal resilience, environmental policy, and resource management
• Experience supervising professional staff and managing multidisciplinary research teams
• Experience developing and maintaining partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, and external stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing scientific reports, technical documents, and presentations for diverse audiences
• Demonstrated experience managing project budgets, contracts, and financial resources
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership and effectively manage multiple complex projects

Required Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree) in marine science, coastal science, geology, environmental science, oceanography, engineering, or a closely related field
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in applied research, coastal science, environmental consulting, or research administration
• Demonstrated success securing, managing, and administering externally funded research projects and contracts

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience directing a research center, institute, consulting organization, or similar applied research enterprise
• Record of successful collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies, particularly those involved in coastal resource management
• Demonstrated experience securing significant external funding through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements
• Established record of scientific publications, technical reports, or other scholarly and professional contributions
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and collaborating with faculty in an academic setting
• Knowledge of New Jersey coastal systems, coastal resilience, environmental policy, and resource management

Screening Information:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by our Office of Human Resources beginning immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

How to Apply:
To apply please visit https://employment.stockton.edu or click the "Apply" button.

Application Requirements:
Individuals who apply must complete the online application, provide names and contact information for three professional references, and submit the following required documents electronically in a Microsoft Word or PDF format:

• Letter of Interest/Cover Letter Describing Qualifications and Accomplishments
• Current Resume, Vita, or Curriculum Vitae
• Unofficial Graduate transcripts

Important:
Individuals who apply must meet all Required Qualifications within the job advertisement to be considered for this position. Please note that any offer of employment is subject to, and contingent upon, completion of the University’s mandatory and favorable background check, which may include a consumer report, availability and receipt of appropriations from the State of New Jersey, and receipt of any required approvals by the University.

SAME Program:
In accordance with P.L. 2021, c. 465 and P.L. 2021, 466, the SAME Program permits eligible New Jersey State agencies and employers to consider qualified applicants for certain non-competitive and unclassified titles within the State workforce.

Applicants seeking consideration under the New Jersey SAME Program, must indicate that status when completing the online application. You must also submit the required SAME Program documentation for this specific position, as directed by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission, in addition to all required electronic documents for this position (e.g., cover letter, resume/vita/curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts) on or before the closing date indicated above. Individuals who apply through the SAME Program must meet all Required Qualifications within the job advertisement to be considered for this position. For more information on the SAME Program, please contact the New Jersey Civil Service Commission by emailing SAME@csc.nj.gov.

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