Job Summary

Purdue University’s Office of Research catalyzes Purdue-led research by bringing together researchers and resources across traditional academic boundaries and by providing guidance and support that enables discovery and societal impact. In addition to grant and regulatory functions, large multidisciplinary programs, and interdisciplinary institutes and centers, the Office of Research directly manages six research facilities supporting life sciences, engineering, nanotechnology, advanced materials, drug discovery, and other specialized interdisciplinary research environments. Its broader infrastructure responsibilities also include Purdue’s research presence in Indianapolis, the One Health Innovation District, and the development of new and emerging research capabilities.

The Senior Specialist, Office of Research Infrastructure Strategy and Operations, is an experienced professional contributor responsible for coordinating and improving the systems, processes, service models, and decision-support tools that serve the Office of Research's six directly managed research facilities and broader infrastructure portfolio. The position maintains a portfolio-level view of research space, facility conditions, service needs, operational risks, projects, relocations, and infrastructure constraints and converts approved priorities into practical work plans and measurable improvements.

Working under general direction, the Senior Specialist independently manages defined operational-improvement initiatives and cross-functional workstreams. The position evaluates current-state processes, identifies root causes and unclear handoffs, develops options and draft recommendations, coordinates stakeholder input, implements pilots and approved solutions, and tracks progress through stabilization. Matters involving significant policy, funding, institutional authority, or sensitive space decisions are elevated to OOR leadership with clear analysis and recommended next steps.

The position works closely with institute leadership, faculty, facility managers, Administrative Operations, Facilities Operations, Environmental Health and Safety, Space Administration, Capital Asset Management, Centrally Managed Animal Facilities, business offices, vendors, and other partners. As a secondary responsibility, the Senior Specialist supports enterprise research-space and infrastructure initiatives where OOR is a sponsor, stakeholder, or coordinating partner. The position has no direct reports and does not replace building-level facility management responsibilities.

What We're Looking For

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, operations management, business administration, public administration, organizational leadership, planning, research administration, science, engineering, or another field that provides preparation in systems analysis, organizational problem-solving, and operational improvement
• Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in operations improvement, process analysis, program or project coordination, research or laboratory operations, institutional operations, infrastructure or space planning, service-model development, organizational effectiveness, or a related field
• Experience should include demonstrated ability to independently manage defined cross-functional initiatives; analyze workflows and organizational handoffs; develop work plans, process improvements, implementation tools, and draft recommendations; coordinate diverse stakeholders; use data to support decisions; and carry improvements from analysis through implementation and follow-up

Preferred:

• A master's degree in a related field
• Five (5) or more years of experience
• Experience includes higher education, academic medicine, pharmaceutical or biotechnology operations, research institutes, government, healthcare, or other laboratory-intensive or technically complex settings
• Familiarity with research space, laboratory infrastructure, facility or project planning, operational readiness, dashboards, Lean or Six Sigma methods, and change-management practices is desirable
• Direct facility-management experience is not required
• Relevant credentials such as Lean Six Sigma, PMP, Prosci, or similar operations, process-improvement, or program-management certifications are desirable

Skills Needed

• Systems-thinking and organizational problem-solving skills, including the ability to understand how people, processes, policies, data, facilities, funding, and decision authority interact
• Sound judgment in ambiguous environments with incomplete information, competing priorities, multiple stakeholders, and matters that may require escalation
• Strong project and process discipline, including scope definition, prioritization, issue tracking, action management, risk identification, documentation, follow-through, and continuous improvement
• Strong relationship-building and facilitation skills and the ability to advance work across organizational boundaries without direct supervisory authority
• Analytical skills sufficient to interpret operational, space, facility, project, service, and financial information; identify patterns and risks; and evaluate alternatives
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including concise one-pagers, options analyses, business cases, implementation plans, project updates, meeting summaries, and presentations for technical and nontechnical audiences
• Highly organized, self-directed, responsive, and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt institutional needs change
• Commitment to safety, reliability, stewardship, transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement in support of Purdue's research mission
• Ability to:
• independently lead defined initiatives from analysis and stakeholder coordination through pilot, implementation, evaluation, and stabilization
• manage routine conflict diplomatically, clarify roles and expectations, build working agreement, and recognize when senior leadership intervention is needed
• develop and maintain metrics, dashboards, issue logs, decision records, portfolio reports, and other tools that improve transparency and accountability
• develop working knowledge of research facilities, laboratories, specialized infrastructure, space-management practices, building operations, and project-delivery processes and to coordinate effectively with subject-matter experts
• distinguish building-level operational matters from portfolio-level or systemic issues requiring broader OOR coordination or leadership action
• document and evaluate current-state operations, identify root causes, bottlenecks, unclear handoffs, service gaps, and recurring failure points, and develop practical improvement options
• translate broad priorities and complex research infrastructure needs into defined work plans, workflows, implementation steps, draft recommendations, and measurable outcomes

Additional Information

• Purdue University will not sponsor employment authorization for this position  
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility:  Defined Contribution Waiting Period  
• Benefit Statement: Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days -Summary of Benefits for Professional levels 1-3, Management levels 1-2 - Human Resources - Purdue University. 

Career Stream

Professional 3

• Pay Band S065
• Job Code #20002069

Career path maker: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/careerpathmaker/

Who We Are

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Equal Opportunity Employer

Purdue University is an EOE employer.