FRIB Human Resources Manager - FAS

Michigan State University (MSU) operates the Facility for Rare Isoto pe Beams (FRIB) as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics. FRIB provides researchers with one of the most advanced tools of modern science to study rare isotopes, or short-lived nuclei not normally found on Earth. Hosting what is designed to be the most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, FRIB enables scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes, nuclear astrophysics, fund amental interactions, and applications for society, including in medicine, homeland security, and industry. User facility operation is support ed by the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics as one of 28 DOE-SC user facilities. MSU’s nuclear physics graduate program is a top-ranked program nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report. 

This position affords an exciting opportunity to become part of the world-class FRIB Laboratory that enables unique discovery opportuni ties in nuclear science. 

Purpose:  

Leads the Faculty and Academic Staff Human Resources function for FRIB. Directs, develops, maintains, and executes programs and processes affe cting faculty, academic staff, continuing appointment employees, academ ic specialists, postdoctoral scholars, graduate assistants, student emp loyees, and executive management, in partnership with the Chief Adminis trative Officer. Advises laboratory leadership on academic workforce ma tters, organizational planning, academic personnel issues, employee rel ations, and institutional risk. Oversees continuing appointment adminis tration, reappointment and promotion processes, and policy implementati on. Supports the workforce capabilities needed for FRIB to fulfill its mission as a high-availability DOE Office of Science user facility. 

Major Duties/Responsibilities:  

Faculty, Academic Staff, and Research Workforce Programs  

• Directs programs and processes affecting faculty, acade mic staff, continuing appointment employees, academic specialists, post doctoral scholars, and graduate assistants. 

• Oversees recruitment, appointments, onboarding, reappointment, promotion, continuing appointment, compensation, and separation processes.  

• Develops and implements strategies to attract, develop, engage, and retain highly qualified faculty, researchers, and academic personnel. 

• Identifies operational issues and develops recommendations for improvement. 

• Ensures programs and services support laboratory needs and are administered consistently. 

 Strategic Human Resources Consultation  

• Advises laboratory leadership on workforce planning, organizational changes, personnel matters, and employee relations issues. 

• Consults on complex employment matters involving faculty, academic staff, postdoctoral scholars, graduate assistants, and student employees. 

• Uses workforce information and trend analysis to support management decisions. 

• Develops recommendations for leadership consideration.  

Academic Policy, Governance, and Compliance  

• Directs administration of the Continuing Appointment system. 

• Oversees reappointment, promotion, and continuing status review processes. 

• Develops and revises policies, procedures, handbooks, and guidance documents affecting faculty and academic staff employment. 

• Interprets and administers university and laboratory policies. 

• Identifies policy gaps and recommends revisions or clarifications. 

• Works with university partners on governance and academic personnel matters. 

• Staff Supervision and Team Leadership  

• Directly supervises professional Human Resources staff. 

• Establishes priorities, assigns work, and monitors performance and workload. 

• Provides coaching, performance feedback, and development opportunities. 

• Establishes service expectations and accountability measures. 

• Develops procedures and internal controls to support consistent program administration. 

• Leads process improvements that improve service delivery and reduce administrative burden. 

Employee Relations, Risk Management, and Workforce Programs  

• Provides guidance regarding employee relations matters involving faculty, academic staff, postdoctoral scholars, graduate assistants, and other academic personnel. 

• Evaluates organizational, employment, and compliance risks associated with workforce decisions.  

• Works with university offices on matters involving international employees and immigration-related employment requirements. 

• Recommends actions to address identified risks and concerns. 

• Supports investigations and resolution of workplace issues when appropriate.  

• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  

• Advanced knowledge of human resources principles, employment practices, employee relations, and workforce management within a higher education, research, health care, government, or similarly complex organization.  

• Knowledge of faculty, academic staff, postdoctoral scholar, graduate assistant, student employment, and continuing appointment employment frameworks and practices. 

• < li>Must develop and maintain comprehensive working knowledge of the MSU Faculty Handbook, FRIB Faculty Appointments, FRIB Continuing Appointment Handbook, Academic Specialist Handbook, Postdoctoral Scholar Handboo k, Research Faculty Appointment Category, and related university and laboratory policies governing academic appointments.  

• Demonstrate d ability to interpret and apply complex policies, analyze sensitive situations, exercise sound judgment, and develop practical solutions. 

• Ability to communicate complex information effectively and provide consultation to employees, supervisors, senior leaders, committees, and university stakeholders. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational initiatives, manage change, improve processes, and align programs and services with institutional objectives. 

• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and influence outcomes across organizational and university stakeholders. 

• Effective leadership, staff development, performance management, and team-building skills. 

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, and organizational skills. 

• Awareness of collective bargaining principles.