Nanofabrication Facility Manager

Department: Multidisciplinary Research

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Manassas, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department:

The Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact (ORIEI) advances the university’s strategy for building a dynamic, collaborative, and growing research ecosystem. The Institute for Biohealth Innovation, Institute for a Sustainable Earth, and Institute for Digital Innovation support multidisciplinary research by connecting researchers to core facilities, funding opportunities, strategic partnerships, and collaborative programs that strengthen research excellence and impact across the university.

The Nanofabrication Facility, located on the Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, Virginia, is administratively housed within the Institute for Biohealth Innovation and supports a broad range of research applications beyond biohealth, including semiconductors and other micro- and nanoelectronics.

About the Position:

The Nanofabrication Manager leads and manages the Nanofabrication Facility (NFF), a Class 1,000 fabrication and characterization laboratories, ensuring safe, compliant, and continuous operation and long-term sustainability.

The role oversees all technical, administrative, operational, safety, and engagement functions; establishes and enforces policies and best practices; manages risk, continuity, equipment, and infrastructure; and serves as Mason’s primary representative to internal and external nanofabrication stakeholders.

In this capacity, the Nanofabrication Manager enables research, education, and innovation by supporting interdisciplinary projects, academic instruction, workshops, and industry collaborations while maintaining the facility’s financial and operational integrity.

Responsibilities:

Operations and Personnel Management

• Supervise and mentor NFF personnel;
• Oversee all NFF tools, systems, and supporting infrastructure, , including routine facility checks, troubleshooting and basic tool maintenance;
• Supervise equipment deliveries, installations, testing, inspections of tools, and vendor-led training to support facility operations and strategic growth;
• Establish, maintain and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) and documentation for all tools and processes;
• Manage facility scheduling, user access, and authorization systems;
• Maintain accurate records of user access, training status, and certifications;
• Ensure all necessary service contracts are in place for tools, critical infrastructure, and operations within the NFF;
• Plan, execute, and track/record corrective and preventive maintenance (PM) in coordination with NFF staff, Mason Facilities, and external service engineers;
• Develop, maintain, and implement emergency procedures, including equipment restart protocols and facilities communication plans; and
• Lead continuity of operations planning, including identification of critical systems and functions.

Safety Management

• Develop, implement and enforce facility policies and best practices in collaboration with Mason’s Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Office to ensure safe and compliant operations;
• Coordinate, develop and implement user training across NFF tools to ensure all users have received the necessary training;
• Coordinate and participate in inspections with EHS and other regulatory entities as required;
• Manage hazardous materials handling and hazardous waste disposal in coordination with EHS;
• Facilitate user compliance with all relevant policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements;
• Cease or suspend unsafe activities and instances of non-compliance until issues are resolved and corrective actions are taken; and
• Respond to any incidents or emergencies within the NFF that occur during and after normal work hours as needed.

Research and Academic Support

• Organize and support academic classes and workshops utilizing the NFF;
• Support interdisciplinary research initiatives by assisting investigators in project planning, process development, and tool utilization;
• Collaborate with faculty to establish new fabrication and characterization processes; and
• Contribute to grant proposals, reports, publications, and conference materials related to NFF-enabled research.

NFF Administration and Facility Management

• Maintain adequate inventory of shared consumables and supplies;
• Prepare and manage monthly billing and financial reports;
• Obtain, evaluate, and approve vendor quotes for equipment, supplies, and services;
• Oversee purchasing, service contracts, and payments in coordination with the ORIEI procurement team; and
• Manage budgets and operational projects supporting the NFF in collaboration with the NFF Advisory Committee.

NFF Strategy, Communication, Outreach, and External Relations

• Contribute to and implement the NFF strategic plan in collaboration with faculty leadership and the Advisory Committee to ensure long-term viability, financial sustainability, and alignment with George Mason’s strategic goals;
• Assist with proposal development for external funding related to NFF operations and expansion;
• Serve as the primary point of contact for equipment vendors and external service providers;
• Represent George Mason as a spokesperson to external organizations and partners engaged in nanofabrication;
• Conduct facility tours and coordinate outreach and visibility-focused events; and
• Develop and manage internal and external communications, including coordination with website developers to maintain NFF web content.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Experience (typically, a minimum of seven (7) years of technical experience) working in a clean room facility/laboratory with experience across several pieces of equipment;
• Experience (typically, a minimum of three (3) years of experience) managing laboratory operations and/or personnel;
• Excellent collaborative and interpersonal skills;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; and
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems, multi-task, and work with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A terminal degree in a scientific, engineering, or related field (Ph.D. or similar);
• Experience (typically, ten (10) or more years) managing clean room facility/laboratory;
• Experience in a large dispersed university or industrial environment; and
• Experience securing external funding for research projects or laboratories.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Nanofabrication Facility Manager at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: September 21, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  October 6, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes