Partnership for Advancing Research Capacity in Semiconductors at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (PARCS-HBCU)

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Oct. 2024 -- We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Michael Curry, a valued member of the PARCS-HBCU team and a faculty member in the Department of Nanoengineering at North Carolina A&T State University, has been honored with the Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences by the American Chemical Society (ACS). This prestigious award is given to those who have made significant contributions to advancing diversity, inclusion, and equity within the chemical sciences community. Dr. Curry’s efforts to foster an inclusive environment that welcomes and supports a diverse range of scholars and students have been recognized at a national level. The award not only highlights Dr. Curry’s commitment to excellence but also underscores the impact of his work in creating meaningful opportunities for underrepresented groups in the sciences. We celebrate this achievement and look forward to continuing to support his outstanding work in advancing diversity and inclusion within the chemical sciences and beyond.
For more information about Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity, please visit the ACS website at
https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/stanley-israel-regional-award-for-advancing-diversity.html. 

October 14, 2023 – This Monday marked an exciting beginning for the PARCS HBCU project as team members from seven partnering HBCUs gathered virtually to set the stage for a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing educational and research opportunities in semiconductors. The kickoff meeting, chaired by the lead Principal Investigator, Dr. Mohammadreza Hadizadeh, was held via Microsoft Teams. This inaugural session brought together not only the core team members but also Dr. Calvin Briggs, the project's external evaluator, to discuss and strategize the comprehensive agenda of the project.

Meeting Highlights

The session commenced with introductions, setting a collaborative tone. The agenda was extensive, covering key project aspects:

• Project Overview: A concise outline of objectives setting the framework for what the PARCS-HBCU project aims to achieve.
• Collaborative Projects: Discussion on various initiatives including research projects, summer camps, student training, lab enhancements, curriculum development, and outreach.
• Roles and Responsibilities: Identification of lead roles and support mechanisms for each activity, along with contributions expected from each institution.
• Goal Setting: Establishment of short-term, measurable goals to ensure project alignment and success.
• Resource Overview: An overview of available resources and a briefing on the new project website.
• Management and Evaluation Plans: Outlining of project management strategies and evaluation metrics to be facilitated by Dr. Briggs.

Key takeaways included the scheduling of bi-weekly team meetings and a strategic planning session slated for early November. The importance of proper grant acknowledgment and the need for IRB approvals for data collection were emphasized.

Strategic Planning and Partnerships

The meeting also highlighted the importance of dissemination and industrial partnerships:

• Project Dissemination: Plans were made to develop a conference centered around industry partners and HBCUs and a virtual symposium to introduce the PARCS initiative.
• Industrial Partnerships: Potential collaborations with key semiconductor companies were discussed, leveraging the CHIPS network to foster long-term sustainability and partnerships.

Moving Forward

Dr. Briggs has agreed to facilitate the strategic planning meetings and draft a template for regular progress reports. A focus will also be on setting up efficient communication channels and regular updates through the project’s web platform. The meeting wrapped up with feedback from participants and a clear outline of the next steps including the preparation of an advisory board list, coordination of internal research team meetings, and establishment of a recurring meeting schedule in Outlook.

• Position Title: Project Manager in Semiconductor Technology
• Department: College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture (CESTA)
• Job Location: Central State University, Wilberforce, OH
• Schedule: Full-time
• Duration: 3 years (36-month fixed term contract)
• Benefits Provided: Yes
• Position Category: Staff - Monthly (Exempt)

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture at Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio) invites applications for a three-year Project Manager (PM) in Semiconductor Technology position to support the planned activities under multiple funded research projects aimed at education, research, workforce development, curriculum development, laboratory infrastructure development, and sustainability activities in the fields of semiconductors. The position is scheduled to commence immediately.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Reporting and Documentation: Prepare, submit, and archive regular reports, budgets, and documents for easy access and compliance with sponsor requirements.
• Meetings and Collaborations: Organize and facilitate regular virtual and in-person meetings with internal team members and academic and industrial partners, using collaborative tools for efficient task management across multiple projects.
• Communication: Develop and maintain promotional materials and communication platforms, including CSU's Semiconductor website, to showcase and publish educational and research findings.
• Administrative Support: Manage daily project operations and financial documents for equipment procurement, staff hiring, and travel, the approval and auditing of the curriculum, and ensuring compliance with university and sponsor processes.
• Management of Semiconductor Labs: Manage and assist in the operation of CSU’s semiconductor-related labs, including the Microfabrication Lab, Semiconductor Simulation Lab, and FPGA/VR Labs.
• Support for Proposal Development, Research Writing, and Student Mentorship: Provide administrative and technical support to research faculty in preparing proposals for relevant grant opportunities to secure new or additional funding. Additionally, assist research faculty in supervising student research assistants, and guiding and reviewing technical research reports, articles, and conference presentations.
• Workshops & Outreach Activities: Coordinate and manage internships, educational training sessions, outreach events, and workshops.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

An earned M.Sc. or equivalent degree in any area of STEM including Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, or related fields, or Business Administration with a focus on Technology Management from an accredited college or university is required at the time of appointment, and at least 3 years of experience in a similar role is required at the time of appointment. The successful candidate must demonstrate a keen interest in and extensive experience with interdisciplinary collaboration, along with a proven track record of effectively working in culturally diverse environments within the university and team settings.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION: 

A candidate with a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering, Business Administration with a focus on Technology Management, or related field from an accredited college or university is preferred.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:

Qualified candidates should submit the following materials through the Central State University job portal at https://careers.centralstate.edu/postings/7884:

• CV, 
•  Cover Letter, 
• Names and contact information for three professional references,
• Unofficial copy of educational transcript(s).

Application Deadline: This position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to completed applications received no later than November 29, 2024. Early response is encouraged. 

Please direct any questions about this position to Dr. Mohammadreza Hadizadeh at mhadizadeh@centralstate.edu.