Associate Director and Laboratory Director of Climate & Global Dynamics (CGD) Labor

National Center for Atmospheric Research
Associate Director/Director, Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory

The Director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research invites inquiries, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of NCAR Associate Director/ Lab Director of the Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory (CGD). Since NCAR's founding in 1960, UCAR, a nonprofit consortium of 120+ North American academic institutions, has managed NCAR on behalf of the National Science Foundation.
 
Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, NCAR is devoted to research, education, and service in the atmospheric and related Earth system sciences. NCAR's mission is to understand the behavior of the atmosphere and related Earth and geospace systems; to support, enhance, and extend the capabilities of the university community and the broader scientific community, nationally and internationally; and to foster the transfer of knowledge and technology for the betterment of life on Earth.
 
CGD’s vision and mission are as follows:
 
Vision:
A world leader in Earth system science and tools for understanding climate variability and change and addressing the risks of climate change in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
 
Mission:
• Developing, using and supporting world-leading community models and simulations for Earth system science, including predictability and other societally important applications and providing support to facilitate their use
• Co-designing Earth system research across NCAR, universities, and stakeholders throughout the world; leveraging our strengths; and fostering the next generation of Earth system scientists
• Providing trusted, innovative data analysis, tools and methods to enable new scientific discoveries
• Building and upholding a diverse community where all are equally valued, included, and respected; recognizing everyone’s essential role in advancing our scientific vision
 
Reporting to the NCAR Director this position carries a dual title and role of Lab Director of the CGD Laboratory and NCAR Associate Director. The Lab Director role is responsible for the scientific vision, direction, productivity, innovation capacity, and overall excellence of CGD’s research and programs, including the formulation and implementation of strategic plans, budgets, and priorities of the lab. These responsibilities are carried out in coordination with the NCAR Director and in close alignment with the NCAR strategic plan and other programmatic priorities. The Lab Director fosters interaction and collaboration between NCAR and UCAR staff and programs. The role of NCAR Associate Director affords responsibility in the overall leadership and management of NCAR. NCAR Associate Directors support the NCAR Director on NCAR-wide matters and act in the best interest of NCAR and not a particular lab. They serve on the NCAR Executive Committee, foster cross NCAR collaboration, may serve as Acting NCAR Director in the absence of the NCAR Director and can lead initiatives that are NCAR-wide. They also foster interaction and collaboration between NCAR and UCAR staff and programs.
 
While a Ph.D. in a science discipline relevant to the NCAR mission and at least 10 years of experience leading and managing complex science programs are highly desired, we will also consider candidates with a comparable outstanding record of accomplishment. International recognition as a scientific leader in advancing our understanding of Earth’s climate system as demonstrated by a current research record of considerable depth and breadth on topics relevant to the NCAR strategic mission, research, and goals is highly desired. The new Lab Director will have demonstrated successful leadership and administration of complex research, facility, and personnel activities; success working with a broad range of constituencies; breadth of interest, vision, and judgment; advanced communication, organizational, and change management skills; and a strong commitment to increasing diversity and inclusion. Demonstrated success and achievement in management is highly desirable.
 
WittKieffer is assisting NCAR in this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, applicant materials should be received by January 26, 2023 and be submitted using WittKieffer’s https://apptrkr.com/3681555.
 
Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae, a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the Leadership Profile, which can be found at https://www.wittkieffer.com/position/24315-associate-director-and-laboratory-director-of-climate-global-dynamics-cgd-laboratory/, and a Diversity Statement (include how you build a psychological safe environment, how you know psychological safety is achieved with examples of how you have built diverse, equitable and inclusive environments on project and programs you have led).
 
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to the WittKieffer consultants supporting this search, Suzanne Teer, Jessica Herrington and Sarah Seavey, at https://tinyurl.com/ys9rhtnm.
 
This position offers a hiring salary range of $196,726 to $245,907. The final salary will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity. Information about UCAR's benefits can be found here: https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/benefits.
 

UCAR/NCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR/NCAR. To learn more about our diversity, equity, and inclusion practices,  https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion.