Hybrid Director, AMISTAR Center at Merrimack College

Position: Associate or Full Professor, Director, Advanced Materials and Intelligent Systems Technological Applications Research (AMISTAR) Center

School: School of Engineering and Computational Sciences

Division: Engineering

Institution: Merrimack College

Location: North Andover, MA

Appointment Type: Full-time; 12-month administrative appointment with Associate or Full Professor faculty appointment

Anticipated Start Date: Fall 2026

Reports to: Vice President of Research (Center Director role) and Academic Dean, Engineering (faculty role)

Merrimack College is excited to announce an opportunity to contribute to the institution’s evolution into an outstanding regional research university. The School of Engineering and Computational Sciences invites applications for the inaugural Director of the Advanced Materials and Intelligent Systems Technological Applications Research (AMISTAR) Center, a high-impact, interdisciplinary research hub dedicated to advancing technological breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Quantum Computing, and Advanced Materials. The AMISTAR Center will be a key driver of the College’s strategy to support regional economic growth, applied innovation, and future-forward workforce development.

The AMISTAR Center represents Merrimack College’s bold investment in frontier science and innovation. It offers an unprecedented opportunity to lead the development of a collaborative research enterprise that directly contributes to the technological, economic, and workforce needs of New England and the nation. As Director, you will have the opportunity to build research infrastructure, shape policy partnerships, and mentor the next generation of engineers and scientists in one of the most dynamic innovation corridors in the country.

This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead a cutting-edge research enterprise from its inception—building the scientific agenda, recruiting research teams, securing funding, and elevating Merrimack’s profile in critical emerging technologies.

What We Offer

The successful candidate will receive a highly competitive salary and start-up package to facilitate the growth of their research program at Merrimack College, which is located 25 miles north of Boston and has collaborations with a variety of institutions in the metro Boston area. We are dedicated to providing the necessary resources and infrastructure to enable our faculty to achieve their research goals and contribute to developing a cutting-edge research environment, including a robust Office of Sponsored Programs to support extramurally funded research. We also prioritize ongoing professional development to help our faculty remain at the forefront of their respective fields.

Join Our Mission

Join us in our mission to create a research university that serves as a hub for innovation and applied impact. We believe in the transformative power of research to enlighten minds, engage hearts, and empower lives. By focusing on the development of research clusters, labs, and research centers, we aim to foster collaboration, drive technological advancements, and contribute to solving global challenges. The School of Engineering and Computational Sciences is a dynamic and growing school focused on preparing students for careers in technology and innovation. The Division of Engineering is deeply invested in emerging fields, and this position will play a critical role in advancing our commitment to interdisciplinary learning, applied research, and societal impact.

Position Overview

The School of Engineering and Computational Sciences at Merrimack College invites applications for an Associate or Full Professor who will also serve as Director of the AMISTAR Center, housed in the Division of Engineering. We seek a scholar and educator who will contribute to the continued growth of our innovative programs, advance interdisciplinary research, and support the College’s mission of fostering academic excellence and community engagement.

AMISTAR will serve as a cornerstone of Merrimack’s contribution to Industry 4.0, forging deep collaborations with industry partners and government agencies to co- develop next-generation technologies with real-world applications in advanced manufacturing, green and blue tech, and biotechnology. The Center is strategically aligned with Merrimack’s ambitions to lead regional innovation planning, including participation in a potential Tech Hub designation under the federal CHIPS and Science Act. The Director may be appointed to any Department within the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences, including civil or electromechanical, depending on their background and preferences.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Center Development

• Establish and direct the AMISTAR Center as a nationally visible, interdisciplinary research and innovation hub.

• Develop and execute a five-year strategic plan that positions the Center at the forefront of AI, robotics, quantum computing, and advanced materials research.

• Guide planning for future growth, including integration of doctoral programs (anticipated FY28–FY29) and faculty recruitment.

Research Strategy & Funding

• Advance a high-impact research portfolio in AMISTAR’s core domains; promote both fundamental and applied R&D.

• Secure external funding through federal grants (e.g., NSF, DOE, DoD, CHIPS and Science Act), industry contracts, and public-private partnerships.

• Leverage resources such as the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative and the MassTech Collaborative to scale R&D infrastructure and workforce initiatives.

Academic-Industry Collaboration

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with blue/green tech firms, advanced manufacturing firms, robotics startups, biotech and defense companies, and/or innovation consortia.

• Facilitate collaborative research and prototyping projects that address industry-defined challenges and regional economic priorities.

• Serve as a liaison to regional innovation initiatives, including those related to the Commonwealth's advanced manufacturing cluster and potential federal Tech Hub efforts.

Team Building & Interdisciplinary Integration

• Lead and support a growing faculty team with expertise in AI/ML, robotics, quantum computing, computational materials, and life sciences.

• Create a collaborative culture that bridges departments (Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences) and fosters joint research, grant proposals, and technology transfer.

• Mentor early-career faculty and postdocs engaged in AMISTAR research.

Education, Workforce, and Student Engagement

• Support experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and master’s students in advanced technology development and research.

• Align research priorities with regional and national workforce needs, including through the design of microcredentials or applied learning modules.

• Collaborate with faculty to connect AMISTAR research to curriculum development and student research assistantships.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Science, or a closely related field.

• Distinguished record of research, scholarship, and external funding in one or more of AMISTAR’s core areas.

• Demonstrated leadership in managing interdisciplinary research teams, centers, or initiatives.

• Proven experience securing and administering significant federal, state, or industry grants.

• Strong commitment to innovation, applied research, and regional economic development.

• Familiarity with multiple external funding mechanisms and manufacturing innovation ecosystems, strongly preferred.

• Experience working with or within industry (especially in sectors such as green/blue tech robotics, or advanced manufacturing), strongly preferred.

• Prior experience mentoring junior faculty or postdoctoral researchers.

• Knowledge of commercialization, intellectual property, and technology transfer practices.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials through ADP:

• Cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in Merrimack College.

• Curriculum Vitae.

• Research statement highlighting current work and future plans.

• Teaching philosophy statement, with attention to experiential learning and accessibility.

• Names and contact information for three professional references.

Note: applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, only

applications received by October 10th are guaranteed full consideration.

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.  

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students from 46 states and 45 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused academic programs in science, engineering, business, nursing, health sciences, education, social sciences and humanities across undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business, and the Graduate School of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Professions-focused, Undergraduate/Graduate-Master’s Large/Medium institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest-growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 37th in the Regional Universities North category in 2025. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.