IceCube Gen-2 Project Manager

The Wisconsin IceCube Particle Astrophysics Center (WIPAC) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a highly qualified, dynamic project manager (PM) with an established record of excellence to lead the development of IceCube-Gen2, a large extension to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. The PM will report to and work in close coordination with the principal investigator in executing the technical and administrative oversight of the project, currently in the conceptual design phase. The PM will be responsible for establishing a project office team, headquartered at WIPAC, and will direct project technical lead personnel located at WIPAC and at other domestic and international IceCube collaborating institutions. The PM will guide the project through development and final design with the goal of progressing the project to NSF’s Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction program, with projected construction and deployment of the extended observatory starting in 2025 and completing in the early 2030s.

IceCube-Gen2 is under consideration by the US National Academies’ Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 (Astro2020) as one of the high-priority astronomy experiments of the next decade. It will expand the IceCube detector volume with the addition of 120 strings of optical deep-ice detectors and surface or near-surface scintillator and radio arrays. This will increase the sensitivity to high-energy neutrinos by an order of magnitude, allowing IceCube to probe deeper into the high-energy sky, building on its discoveries to date.

About WIPAC

WIPAC is headquarters to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a cubic kilometre of glacial ice deep below the South Pole instrumented with an array of over 5000 optical sensors. Its gigantic volume and successful operation over a decade establish it as the preeminent observatory for high-energy neutrinos. IceCube is one of roughly two dozen major facilities supported by the US National Science Foundation (NSF), who provided $240m of the $280m for construction with the remaining coming from international partners. In 10 years of full operations, IceCube has made groundbreaking discoveries in the fields of particle astrophysics and multimessenger astronomy.

WIPAC is leading the IceCube Upgrade project, the first step in enhancing the IceCube facility and expanding its science into the next decade. The Upgrade, a $23m NSF mid-scale construction project, will deploy seven additional strings of advanced optical sensors to more densely instrument the central region of the array. This will further the study of neutrino particle properties and permit precision characterization of the optics of the ice to improve key performance parameters of the IceCube detector. In addition, the Upgrade serves for research and development of IceCube-Gen2 components.

In addition to being the lead institution for IceCube operations, WIPAC is home to a vibrant team of scientists, technical professionals, students, and project and administrative staff. They support the exciting scientific program of IceCube and other premier particle astrophysics experiments.

Principal duties

The successful candidate will work with a team of project specialists, scientists, and engineers to develop a project management structure and a project office for IceCube-Gen2. Primary tasks include:

• Establish a project team, including a project office centred at WIPAC and project members from collaborating institutions.
• Develop documents and tools as needed for an NSF large facility including a cost book for the project based on an established work breakdown structure, a resource-loaded schedule, and risk management plans.
• Lead the project team in the preparation of reports and reviews.
• Interact with the funding agencies as the project advances.
• Coordinate the IceCube-Gen2 project effort with the IceCube observatory and the IceCube Upgrade project teams.

Qualifications

Five or more years of direct experience in management, design, and development of complex instrumentation systems (above $10m). Highly qualified candidates will also have a demonstrated record of performance in the following areas:

• Development and/or execution of NSF and/or DOE large-scale instrument construction projects.
• Production of integrated master schedules using systems such as MS Project or Primavera P6.
• Project performance tracking using earned value management systems.
• Leadership of teams of scientists, engineers, technicians, and financial analysts, especially in large international scientific collaborations.

Application process

Applications must be submitted through the University of Wisconsin HR website, job Position Vacancy Listing (224703-AS) on or before 25 September 2020.

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