Atmospheric Chemistry Observations & Modeling (ACOM) Lab Director

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until January 24, 2020
Position Term: 3-year term date, with the possibility of extension.
Relocation: Relocation assistance is available for this position.
Work Authorization: UCAR/NCAR will sponsor a work visa to fill this position.

Where You Will Work:

Located in Boulder, Colorado, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is one of the world’s premier scientific institutions, with an internationally recognized staff and research program dedicated to advancing knowledge, providing community-based resources, and building human capacity in the atmospheric and related sciences.  NCAR is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). ACOM research focuses on advancing understanding and predictive capability for atmospheric composition and related processes. Research is organized around two major themes – Air Quality Prediction and Weather-Chemistry-Climate Interactions. ACOM scientists work closely with the wider research community, providing intellectual leadership and facility support for measurement capabilities, laboratory and field experiments and community atmospheric chemistry models.

What You Will Do:

The NCAR Associate Director of Atmospheric Chemistry Observations & Modeling (ACOM) is responsible for the overall scientific and strategic mission, productivity, culture, and excellence of the Laboratory.   This includes ACOM’s vision and mission and the leadership and management of the implementation of long- and short-term planning that supports the ACOM and NCAR missions. The Director is responsible for the effective management and administration of the Laboratory and for championing a diverse workforce and a welcoming and inclusive environment.

The Director fosters interaction and collaboration between NCAR and UCAR staff and programs.  In addition, the Director is responsible for program advocacy in a number of forums including government agencies, UCAR member and non-member institutions and the scientific community at large.

As a member of the NCAR Executive Committee, the Director shares in NCAR management deliberations and decisions, offering on the behalf of NCAR and ACOM advice on matters such as scientific goals, initiatives and standards, budgets, priorities, policies, programs, and other matters. This position reports to the NCAR Director.

Responsibilities:                                                                                                                                                                                Laboratory Leadership

• Leads the Laboratory in its mission to conduct directed research that contributes to improved understanding and prediction of the Earth system, with a particular emphasis on atmospheric composition. 
• Develops Laboratory strategic plans in alignment with the NCAR Strategic Plan and ensures implementation to maximize scientific opportunities and financial and human resources. Initiates and implements large-scale activities.
• Takes overall responsibility for the scientific and technological productivity, creativity, and excellence of the laboratory. Provides scientific leadership and strategic planning for the laboratory.
• In coordination with the NCAR Director, represents laboratory science programs within NSF and other agencies, the university community, the national and international community, and internal and external constituents through public presentations and forums, written communication and interpersonal relationships.
• Champions laboratory involvement in NCAR’s Education & Outreach mission and the development of the future STEM workforce. 
• Solicits external advice from universities, industry, and government leaders in the field.
• Leads budget and program planning for the Laboratory, including establishing budget priorities. Presents laboratory budget proposals to the NCAR Director and allocates laboratory budgets in consultation with the NCAR Director. 
• Oversees and ensures the equity of the appointments, promotions, performance reviews and salary determination of laboratory staff. Ensures the recruitment, support, and retention of a diverse and talented workforce.
• Ensures and promotes an inclusive, welcoming, and creative work environment for staff and visitors and champions diversity, inclusion, and equity in the Earth system sciences.
• Supervises Laboratory management and other direct reports. 
• Provides leadership for mentoring and development plans for staff, particularly early career scientists. 
• Manages staff relations and fosters an environment of teamwork and excellence. Promotes and demonstrates the values of UCAR and NCAR.

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NCAR Leadership and Management Team                                                                                 

• As member of the NCAR Executive Committee, formulates institutional programs, practices and priorities, ensuring the integrity of NCAR science and the organization's role in the science community; prioritizes scientific initiatives within NCAR.
• Promotes science opportunities by fostering interdisciplinary programs and stimulating and facilitating coordinated science between laboratories and within the research community.
• In coordination with the NCAR Director, represents NCAR science program within NSF and other agencies, the university community and the national and international community.
• Promotes new programs and major sources of funding in collaboration with universities and other institutions. Channels national and international community inputs into the NCAR planning process.
• As a member of the NCAR Executive Committee, facilitates inter-laboratory science, engineering, tool sharing, and development.   Optimizes development and acquisition of shared resources.
• May serve as Acting NCAR Director when the Director is absent.

Other program activities.

• Conducts research, presents papers at scientific or technical conferences, and publishes in scholarly journals or books.

Liaison Role

Effective performance in the position requires liaison with:

• The UCAR President's Council members, the NCAR Executive Committee members, and administrative and scientific leaders across UCAR and NCAR;
• US Government officials, senior program managers in Federal agencies, and university, national lab and research society leaders; 
• Foreign Government officials, program managers and scientists; 
• Private for-profit corporations.

What You Need:  

Education and Experience:

• A PhD in a science discipline relevant to the mission of the laboratory and at least ten years’ experience of managing complex science programs, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Visionary and inspirational leader who inspires others to achieve excellence both individually and as a team.
• Demonstrated leadership, science and business skills associated with the development of scientific programs similar to those in ACOM.   
• Direct experience in the effective management of a complex research organization, including planning and leading diverse scientific programs.
• High-level understanding of atmospheric chemistry issues of real importance to society and understanding of both measurement and modeling strategies to address research questions.
• Skill in strategic planning and implementation, budget development and deployment, and human resource planning to achieve broad goals and objectives.
• Ability to provide leadership in directing, developing, and evaluating a staff of widely varying backgrounds and experience.
• Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the STEM workforce and a demonstrated track record of championing inclusive and welcoming workplace environments.
• Ability to articulate and gain internal and external support for the Laboratory and NCAR's scientific agenda.
• Ability to perceive complex problems in broad scope, to infuse ideas, and to participate meaningfully in the scientific direction and evaluation of the Laboratory’s research. 
• Advanced skill in written and oral communication, with the ability to excel in interpersonal communication.
• Skill in obtaining and coordinating major research grants and contracts.
• Ability to make sound technical and programmatic judgments and deal effectively with uncertainty, risk and conflict.

Desired:

• International recognition as a scientific leader in one or more areas of atmospheric composition research and/or related areas, as demonstrated by a current research record of considerable depth and breadth on topics relevant to the Laboratory strategic mission, research and goals.

Applicant Notes:

• Please note that while the position description details both minimum requirements as well as desired skills and experience, we want to remind applicants that you do not need to have all the desired skills and experience to be considered for this role. If you have the passion for the work along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest.
• Pre-employment screenings and background checks are conducted in conjunction with an offer for employment into risk-based positions. This screening may involve verifying or reviewing any of the following relevant information: restricted parties screening, employment verification, education verification, reference checks, verification of professional licenses, certifications, and Motor Vehicle Records.  In addition to pre-employment screenings, risked-based positions require a criminal background check and Sex Offender Registry (for positions working with vulnerable populations). UCAR complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).