Director, Polar Geospatial Center

The Polar Geospatial Center at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities is currently seeking to recruit a new Director. The Director is responsible for development and execution of plans to achieve the center’s vision of providing geospatial support to the science and logistics communities in polar regions and advancing the use of geospatial and remote sensing data in the geosciences worldwide.

The position leads and contributes to PGC’s geospatial initiatives including GIS analysis, remote sensing products, data production pipelines, cartography and visualization, data democratization, earth science and polar logistics support. The Director serves as the primary liaison to the scientific community, including promotion of PGC’s activities and identification of opportunities to improve PGC services.

For 15 years, PGC has provided unique remote sensing data products and exemplary one-on-one service to the science community. Some past achievements include:

• Using commercial satellite imagery to transform polar science and logistics
• Mapping the polar regions in unprecedented detail
• Releasing publicly-available 2-meter resolution elevation models of polar regions (ArcticDEM and REMA)
• Bringing the public to Antarctica with Google Street View
• Providing tailored support and geospatial solutions to hundreds of research projects worldwide

Desired Qualifications include:

• BA/BS and at least 12 years of experience or advanced degree and 10 years of experience in the geosciences, remote sensing, or a related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of current remote sensing technologies, trends, and opportunities.
• Passion for science, science support, open data, and DEI principles.
• Demonstrated ability to promote initiatives and communicate findings to a broad range of audiences.
• Experience designing, scoping, and writing proposals for federal grants or contracts.
• Personnel and project management experience, including hiring and developing team members.
• Aptitude for big-picture thinking, problem solving creativity, and strategic planning.

The position will remain open until filled.

Learn more about the position and how to apply at z.umn.edu/pgcdirector.

Ready to apply? Great! Start at the job posting: https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/352478

Before you start, you should have:

1. A cover letter
2. A curriculum vitae
3. Vision statement (up to 2 pages) outlining future directions of PGC
4. Statement (up to 3 pages) addressing the following topics:

• Project Management experience and approaches
• Research interests, experiences, and future direction
• Experience with and plans to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion

5. Names and contact information (email, phone) of 3 references

About the Polar Geospatial Center

The Polar Geospatial Center is a part of the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences in the College of Science & Engineering. PGC provides geospatial support, mapping, and GIS/remote sensing solutions to researchers and logistics teams in the polar science community and worldwide. We collaborate with scientists to complete their research goals in a safe, timely, and efficient manner by providing a service which most groups do not have the resources or expertise to complete. Our goal is to introduce new, state-of-the-art techniques from the geospatial field to effectively solve problems in the least mapped places on Earth. PGC is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA, the US Forest Service, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Please explore the PGC website for more details: https://pgc.umn.edu