| Purpose of the Position: |
The Earth System Science Center (ESSC) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research on the Earth as an integrated system. Our diverse team of scientists—including atmospheric researchers, biologists, geologists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer scientists—collaborates to better understand the complex interactions within our planet’s environment.
The Director of the Earth System Science Center (ESSC) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is responsible for the overall strategic, scientific, and administrative leadership of the center. This role ensures academic excellence, financial sustainability, and impactful research outcomes in partnership with major federal agencies like NASA and NOAA.
Duties / Responsibilities:
Strategic Research Leadership
• Set vision: Establish and execute long-term scientific objectives for Earth System research.
• Drive innovation: Identify emerging trends in satellite remote sensing, atmospheric science, and climate modeling.
• Promote collaboration: Foster interdisciplinary research across university departments and colleges.
• Represent the center: Act as the primary liaison to federal, state, and international scientific communities.
Academic & Faculty Advancement
• Mentor researchers: Guide principal investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff in career development.
• Support education: Align center research activities with undergraduate and graduate training programs.
• Recruit talent: Attract high-caliber scientists and technical experts to expand center capabilities.
• Evaluate performance: Conduct annual reviews and manage promotion processes for research faculty.
Financial & Grant Management
• Secure funding: Lead large-scale, multi-investigator grant proposals to maintain a robust funding pipeline.
• Manage budget: Oversee multi-million-dollar annual operating budgets and institutional resource allocations.
• Ensure compliance: Monitor adherence to federal grant guidelines, university policies, and legal regulations.
• Optimize resources: Allocate lab space, equipment, and computational infrastructure efficiently.
Operations & Infrastructure Oversight
• Supervise staff: Manage administrative, technical, and operational personnel supporting the center.
• Maintain facilities: Oversee specialized research labs, data centers, and specialized field equipment.
• Mitigate risk: Implement safety protocols and data security measures across all research operations.
• Report progress: Deliver regular performance metrics, annual reports, and impact data to university leadership.
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