Executive Director, Division of Atmospheric Sciences

Desert Research Institute, Inc.; Reno (NV); Presencial; USD 225.000 - 275.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Holidays

Tuition reduction

Relocation assistance

Descripción de la vacante

Desert Research Institute seeks a qualified leader to head the Division of Atmospheric Sciences in Reno, NV. The Executive Director will guide research programs, drive funding through grants and contracts, and mentor faculty and staff across a large, multi-campus environment.

The role requires strategic planning, strong communication, and oversight of budgets, personnel, and facilities. Occasional travel to Las Vegas is expected.

Formación

• Master’s degree in DAS topic areas or related field.
• Proven leadership, management, and program development experience.
• Experience identifying research opportunities and implementing strategies.

Responsabilidades

• Lead and develop new research areas and coordinate multi‑institution proposals.
• Network with sponsors and build teams to raise funds for laboratories and facilities.
• Mentor faculty and staff; manage budgets and personnel; advocate for DAS capabilities.

Conocimientos

Leadership

Management

Program Development

Budgeting

Mentoring

Strategic Planning

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Educación

Master's degree

Ph.D. preferred

Descripción del empleo

Job Description

The Desert Research Institute (DRI), the non‑profit environmental research institution of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), is seeking a qualified individual to provide scientific leadership and management for its Division of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS).

The primary function of the DAS Executive Director is to support, facilitate, initiate, and expand Division faculty research through management and program development initiatives that augment and enhance the Division’s faculty generated revenues and multidisciplinary research.

DRI has two campuses, one in Reno and one in Las Vegas, NV, with the majority of DAS faculty located in Reno. The position is based in Reno and will require periodic travel to Las Vegas.

Leadership, Management, and Division Responsibilities

• Effectively manage DAS personnel, including maintaining healthy and collaborative inter‑personal interactions, conducting annual performance evaluations, and recommending faculty for promotions and awards.
• Implement strategies for sustaining and developing research programs and targeted hiring for strategic research expansion areas.
• Be an excellent internal and external advocate for the capabilities and accomplishments of DAS faculty.
• Work with the Division Business Administration and Financial Services Office to establish revenue projections and set budget priorities.
• Mentor directly, or provide mentorship opportunities, for faculty and staff.
• Prioritize allocation of Divisional funds in a way that optimizes efforts by faculty members to grow DAS’ sponsored research portfolio.
• Ensure optimum planning and use of existing equipment, funds, and facilities.
• Prioritize on‑going DAS facility needs and advocate for additional resources as necessary.
• Contribute to the overall success of the Institute by actively engaging as a member of DRI’s Senior Leadership Team.

Research Program Development and Implementation Responsibilities

• Lead, pursue, and develop new areas of research that play to the strengths of the Division and Institute, as well as expand current strengths, such as coordinating multi‑institutional proposal development.
• Network with potential sponsors, agencies, and clients, and build teams and collaborations within and outside of DRI to raise funds to support laboratories, facilities, and current and new research areas.
• Provide guidance and support to individual faculty to assist in program planning and development.
• Identify and provide professional growth opportunities for faculty to build skills in proposal development, grant writing, and other forms of funding acquisition.
• Uphold a high standard for sponsor engagement, high‑impact scientific achievement, and innovative solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Master’s degree from an accredited institution within one of the DAS research topic areas or a related field.
• Demonstrable excellence in Leadership, Management, and Program Development.
• Demonstrable experience identifying current and future research opportunities and developing and implementing strategies that capitalize on those opportunities.
• Previous experience supervising/managing budgets and personnel.
• Broad understanding of atmospheric science‑related environmental and research issues.
• Demonstrated outstanding interpersonal and written communication skills.
• U.S. citizenship per funding requirements and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree from an accredited institution and/or advanced credentials.
• Demonstrated understanding of a research environment where faculty salaries are generated through external grants and contracts.
• Demonstrated experience leading, managing, and building collaborative teams.
• Experience authoring and/or reviewing proposals, reports, and publications.

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship per funding requirements and the ability to obtain andmaintain a U.S. government security clearance.
• The successful candidate will be offered the position contingent upon passing a mandatory test for the absence of any illegal drugs, as defined in 10CFR707.4, as well as satisfactory credit, criminal, and background investigations.

Compensation

The minimum annual starting salary is $250,000 and will be competitive and commensurate with education, experience, and alignment with similar public academic research institutions.

Benefits

• Health insurance options that include dental, vision, life, and long‑term disability.
• 19.25% tax‑deferred mandatory retirement contribution with matching by DRI.
• Two (2) days of annual leave accrued each full month.
• Thirty (30) days of sick leave provided upon start date and two (2) days of sick leave accrued per full month after the first year of service.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Tuition reduction at NSHE institutions for employee and eligible dependents.
• No state income tax and no social security deduction.
• Relocation assistance.

About the Desert Research Institute

DRI is a recognized world leader in basic and applied environmental research. Committed to scientific excellence and integrity, DRI faculty, students who work alongside them, and staff, have developed scientific knowledge and innovative technologies in research projects around the globe. DRI faculty are supported through competitive grants and contracts with external funding agencies, creating an Institute‑wide entrepreneurial and collaborative approach to scientific research. DRI has been successful in using this model to be highly flexible, innovative, and responsive to sponsor needs. Since 1959, DRI’s research has advanced scientific knowledge on topics ranging from humans’ impact on the environment to the environment’s impact on humans. DRI’s impactful science supports Nevada’s diverse economy, provides science‑based educational opportunities, and informs policymakers, business leaders, and community members. With campuses in Las Vegas and Reno, DRI serves as the non‑profit research arm of the Nevada System of Higher Education.

About the Division of Atmospheric Sciences

The Division of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) conducts basic and applied research, services related to air quality and associated health risks, cloud and aerosol physics, atmospheric chemistry, climate, renewable energy, fire science, atmospheric dynamics, and STEM Education (Nevada Robotics). DAS researchers develop instrumentation for observations from the ground, unmanned and human‑piloted aircraft, and satellites in addition to techniques for observational programs. Inorganic and organic chemistry laboratories provide trace analysis of atmospheric pollutants, supporting assessments of human impacts on air quality. The Division has extensive capabilities in numerical modeling of atmospheric and air pollution processes for meteorology, atmospheric dynamics, precipitation processes, atmospheric chemistry, aerosol formation, visibility assessments, urban air quality, and transport of pollutants in complex terrain. DAS personnel operate primarily from office and laboratory facilities in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada. Faculty and staff maintain $25-35 million in active projects for federal, state, and local governments, tribes, private industry, foundations, and universities. As part of the Nevada System of Higher Education, DAS faculty administer and teach in the Atmospheric Sciences Graduate Program at the University of Nevada, Reno, where students conduct research under the supervision of DAS faculty while working toward an M.S. or Ph.D. degree.

Exempt / Full-Time Equivalent

Exempt: Yes

Full-Time Equivalent: 100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

• A cover letter detailing how your experience and professional qualifications meet the hiring criteria and prepare you to succeed as the Executive Division Director.
• Current curriculum vita.
• Contact information for four (4) professional references, who may be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process based on applicant permission at that time. References must specifically include at least one peer and one subordinate.

Posting Close Date

01/31/2027

Note to Applicant

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials. References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process based on applicant notification and permission.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

DRI is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment free of discrimination without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

DRI employs only U.S. citizens and aliens authorized to work in the U.S. DRI only sponsors aliens applying for research faculty or postdoctoral fellow positions (J-1 or H-1B visas). All applicants hired by the Desert Research Institute are subject to E‑Verify. DRI complies with all applicable state laws and takes measures consistent with Title IX to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its students, faculty, and staff. The Institute’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for employment.

We do not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates.

Title IX and Equity

Non‑discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by TitleIX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20U.S.C.§1681etseq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34C.F.R.Part106). The Institute’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: JenniferSchultz, TitleIX Coordinator, Desert Research Institute, 2215RaggioParkway, NevadaScienceBuilding, Room112, Reno, NV89512, telephone(775)673‑7317; [e-mail]; to the Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400MarylandAvenueSW, Washington, DC20202‑1100; telephone1‑800‑421‑3481; fax202‑453‑6012; TDD1‑800‑877‑8339; [e-mail]; or to both. Information regarding security, personal safety, fire safety, and crime statistics can be found at DRI’sPublic and Personal Safety page.