Princeton University
Program Manager, AI for Accelerating Invention
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, us, 08543
OverviewThe Princeton Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence (AL Lab) is a recently established administrative unit dedicated to supporting and advancing high-impact AI-related research initiatives at Princeton. The current initiatives within the AI Lab include Princeton Language and Intelligence, AI for Accelerating Invention, and Natural and Artificial Minds. Princeton Language and Intelligence (PLI) advances fundamental understanding, informed design, and cross-disciplinary applications of large language models. AI for Accelerating Invention, (AI)², integrates artificial intelligence into engineering research, developing new technologies and tools to accelerate the process of invention — from design, to simulation, to fabrication, to control. Natural and Artificial Minds (NAM) takes advantage of advances in AI to study natural and artificial minds in parallel with a focus on problems of learning, reasoning, decision making, and action.
The AI Lab is seeking a Program Manager for the initiative AI for Accelerating Invention, to provide administrative support for its research initiatives. The Program Manager will assist faculty, research scientists, post-doctoral fellows, research software engineers, and graduate students involved in the initiative. Reporting to the AI Lab Executive Director, the Program Manager will oversee the operations of the AI for Accelerating Invention initiative while contributing to the overall success and strategic goals of the AI Lab.
Given the rapid growth and evolution of these initiatives, the Program Manager must be adaptable and capable of implementing new programs while maintaining a flexible team-oriented operating environment. They will work closely with the faculty directors to guide the development and day-to-day operations of the initiative. The Program Manager will manage initiative budgets and ensure the responsible allocation of funds and resources. Responsibilities include performing and overseeing day-to-day operations, supporting research collaborations and events, managing communications, assisting with AI Lab hiring processes, and securing essential resources for the AI Lab community.
The AI Lab aims to foster a dynamic, collegial, and agile environment for advancing AI research, and the Program Manager will play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
ResponsibilitiesStrategic Planning and Administration ● Supports the Director’s vision for the initiative by enabling strategies for growth and development.● Provides administrative support for the initiative’s campus and external outreach, aiding in the cultivation of new research projects.● Assists with the AI Lab seed funding efforts, ensuring effective management and dissemination of resources.● Improves processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, and collaborates with other AI Lab Program Managers to ensure operational alignment.
Budget and Financial Management ● Develops and oversees the initiative’s budget in collaboration with the initiative Director and the AI Lab Executive Director. Responsible for the careful and appropriate stewardship of University resources.● Prepares financial reports and tracks financial commitments.
Research and Events ● Oversees the planning, coordination, organization, and execution of initiative events and activities, including lecture series, symposia, seminars, and colloquia.● Coordinates the administrative support for the research component of initiative activities, including supporting postdocs, graduate students, research software engineers, and research scientists.
Personnel Management ● Assists the AI Lab Director with the hiring of researchers, postdoctoral fellows, administrative and technical staff appointments for the AI Lab.● Supervises the hiring, performance reviews, merit increase process, and terminations of initiative administrative staff, including regular staff, short-term professional employees, casual hourly employees, and student and intern employees. The manager should be knowledgeable in University policies and familiar with visa regulations, federal work-study requirements, tax laws, and fair labor standards.
Communications ● Provides support for initiative communications efforts, including website, social media, print, and internal and external communications.● Maintains and updates the initiative website and serves as project manager for website redesign projects.
Facilities Management ● Provides support for office moves, renovations and repairs; coordinates initiative space assignments and the purchase of furniture and equipment.
QualificationsEssential Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent, plus 5 or more years of relevant experience.
• Ability to interact and function in a cross-disciplinary academic environment.• Ability to effectively manage the resources of the department: experience in budget management, oversight of financial operations.• Strong organizational and management skills and good judgment; demonstrated project management skills; responsiveness with the ability to handle multiple tasks in a timely manner.• Confident, articulate, and professional written and verbal communication skills.• Strong personal initiative; self-motivated and self-directed; unwavering commitment to excellence.• Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, and discretion; appreciation for the values of higher education and sensitivity to the nuances of academic culture.
Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced degree preferred• Experience in university administration strongly preferred• Conference and event planning experience
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Standard Weekly Hours
36.25Eligible for Overtime
NoBenefits Eligible
YesProbationary Period
180 daysEssential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)
NoPhysical Capacity Exam Required
NoValid Driver’s License Required
NoExperience Level
Mid-Senior Level#LI-JE1
The AI Lab is seeking a Program Manager for the initiative AI for Accelerating Invention, to provide administrative support for its research initiatives. The Program Manager will assist faculty, research scientists, post-doctoral fellows, research software engineers, and graduate students involved in the initiative. Reporting to the AI Lab Executive Director, the Program Manager will oversee the operations of the AI for Accelerating Invention initiative while contributing to the overall success and strategic goals of the AI Lab.
Given the rapid growth and evolution of these initiatives, the Program Manager must be adaptable and capable of implementing new programs while maintaining a flexible team-oriented operating environment. They will work closely with the faculty directors to guide the development and day-to-day operations of the initiative. The Program Manager will manage initiative budgets and ensure the responsible allocation of funds and resources. Responsibilities include performing and overseeing day-to-day operations, supporting research collaborations and events, managing communications, assisting with AI Lab hiring processes, and securing essential resources for the AI Lab community.
The AI Lab aims to foster a dynamic, collegial, and agile environment for advancing AI research, and the Program Manager will play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
ResponsibilitiesStrategic Planning and Administration ● Supports the Director’s vision for the initiative by enabling strategies for growth and development.● Provides administrative support for the initiative’s campus and external outreach, aiding in the cultivation of new research projects.● Assists with the AI Lab seed funding efforts, ensuring effective management and dissemination of resources.● Improves processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, and collaborates with other AI Lab Program Managers to ensure operational alignment.
Budget and Financial Management ● Develops and oversees the initiative’s budget in collaboration with the initiative Director and the AI Lab Executive Director. Responsible for the careful and appropriate stewardship of University resources.● Prepares financial reports and tracks financial commitments.
Research and Events ● Oversees the planning, coordination, organization, and execution of initiative events and activities, including lecture series, symposia, seminars, and colloquia.● Coordinates the administrative support for the research component of initiative activities, including supporting postdocs, graduate students, research software engineers, and research scientists.
Personnel Management ● Assists the AI Lab Director with the hiring of researchers, postdoctoral fellows, administrative and technical staff appointments for the AI Lab.● Supervises the hiring, performance reviews, merit increase process, and terminations of initiative administrative staff, including regular staff, short-term professional employees, casual hourly employees, and student and intern employees. The manager should be knowledgeable in University policies and familiar with visa regulations, federal work-study requirements, tax laws, and fair labor standards.
Communications ● Provides support for initiative communications efforts, including website, social media, print, and internal and external communications.● Maintains and updates the initiative website and serves as project manager for website redesign projects.
Facilities Management ● Provides support for office moves, renovations and repairs; coordinates initiative space assignments and the purchase of furniture and equipment.
QualificationsEssential Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent, plus 5 or more years of relevant experience.
• Ability to interact and function in a cross-disciplinary academic environment.• Ability to effectively manage the resources of the department: experience in budget management, oversight of financial operations.• Strong organizational and management skills and good judgment; demonstrated project management skills; responsiveness with the ability to handle multiple tasks in a timely manner.• Confident, articulate, and professional written and verbal communication skills.• Strong personal initiative; self-motivated and self-directed; unwavering commitment to excellence.• Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, and discretion; appreciation for the values of higher education and sensitivity to the nuances of academic culture.
Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced degree preferred• Experience in university administration strongly preferred• Conference and event planning experience
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Standard Weekly Hours
36.25Eligible for Overtime
NoBenefits Eligible
YesProbationary Period
180 daysEssential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)
NoPhysical Capacity Exam Required
NoValid Driver’s License Required
NoExperience Level
Mid-Senior Level#LI-JE1