Associate Director, Physical AI Systems Laboratory

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Working at MBZUAI Vacancies Our future Faculty Life in Abu Dhabi Global community Search vacancies

Administrative vacancy

Associate Director, Physical AI Systems Laboratory

Home Working at MBZUAI Vacancies Associate Director, Physical AI Systems Laboratory

Vacancy overview

The Associate Director reports to the Director of the University’s Physical AI Systems Laboratory, serves as a trusted advisor to the Director and is a key member of the Laboratory’s executive leadership team.

As the senior operational leader of the Physical AI Systems Laboratory, the Associate Director is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day management of the Laboratory’s operations. Working in close partnership with the Director, the Steering Committee, and other Senior Faculty, the Associate Director ensures that the Laboratory has the people, infrastructure, financial resources, governance, and partnerships required to deliver world-leading research, innovation, education, and industry engagement.

The Associate Director will be expected to demonstrate success through:

• Delivery of the Laboratory’s strategic objectives.
• High operational efficiency and service quality.
• Strong financial performance and sustainable growth.
• Successful delivery of major research programs.
• High staff engagement and retention.
• Growth in strategic partnerships and external funding.
• Effective governance, compliance, and risk management.
• Development of world-class research infrastructure.

The Associate Director translates strategic priorities into operational plans, enabling Faculty, students, engineers, researchers, and professional staff to work effectively within a safe, compliant, and collaborative environment. The role provides leadership in the Physical AI Laboratory and related areas across finance, human resources, facilities, laboratory operations, research administration, commercial partnerships, and organisational development.

This role will enable research excellence rather than running a commercial enterprise, while still incorporating the executive leadership expected of a head of lab.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Partner with the Director to develop and implement the Laboratory’s strategic plan.

Translate strategic objectives into operational programmes and measurable outcomes.

Lead institutional planning, organisational development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Monitor organisational performance and recommend improvements to maximise research impact and operational effectiveness.

Operational Management

Provide overall leadership of the Laboratory’s professional services and operational functions.

Develop operational policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.

Ensure efficient delivery of laboratory services, facilities, technical support, and administrative operations.

Oversee laboratory infrastructure, equipment lifecycle management, and operational planning.

Financial Management

Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation.

Ensure responsible stewardship of research funding, philanthropic income, commercial revenue, and institutional investment.

Monitor financial performance and provide regular reports to the Director.

Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and sustainable growth.

Research Operations

Oversee research administration and project management across the Laboratory’s portfolio.

Support successful delivery of large interdisciplinary research programmes.

Ensure compliance with funding agency requirements and university policies.

Coordinate operational support for major research proposals and collaborative initiatives.

People Leadership

Lead and develop professional services, technical, and operational staff.

Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performance organisational culture.

Support workforce planning, recruitment, professional development, and succession planning.

Partnerships and External Engagement

Develop and manage strategic relationships with industry, government, research organisations, and philanthropic partners.

Support development of collaborative research programmes and commercial partnerships.

Represent the Laboratory in operational discussions with internal and external stakeholders.

Assist the Director in developing long-term strategic alliances.

Governance, Risk and Compliance

Ensure compliance with university policies and relevant regulatory requirements.

Lead risk management, health and safety, laboratory governance, and business continuity planning.

Establish effective reporting and performance monitoring systems.

Support governance committees and advisory boards.

Infrastructure and Facilities

Oversee laboratory operations including robotics facilities, computing infrastructure, technical workshops, and experimental environments.

Coordinate infrastructure planning and future capital investment.

Ensure effective utilisation of shared research facilities.

Academic Qualifications Required

Postgraduate qualification in management, engineering, science, business, or a related discipline.

Professional Experience Required

Essential:

Significant senior leadership experience within a university, research institute, innovation organisation, or comparable complex environment.

Experience leading multidisciplinary operational teams.

Strategic planning and organisational development experience.

Research administration and grant management.

Ability to influence across complex organisations, building partnerships across academia, industry, and government.

Experience developing governance frameworks and operational policies whilst also managing risk and regulatory compliance.

Excellent organisational and programme management skills.

Strong financial and commercial acumen.

Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.

Experience leading through ambiguity and organisational growth.

Preferred:

Experience supporting AI, robotics, engineering, or physical sciences research.

Experience with commercialisation, innovation ecosystems, or technology transfer.

Application open

Employment typeFull-Time

CategoryAdministrative

LocationAbu Dhabi, UAE

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Associate Director, Physical AI Systems Laboratory

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