Director – Earth Systems Science Interdisciplinary Center

The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) at the University of Maryland is conducting an open search for the Director of its Earth Systems Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC). The Center is a partnership among CMNS, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS), and includes three partner departments (Atmospheric and Oceanic Science and Geology in CMNS, and Geographical Sciences in BSOS).

The Center partners with the NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center (GSFC) and NOAA through two Cooperative Agreements which support research on all aspects of the Earth System using Satellite-based measurement and analysis. The Center supports over 200 research scientists, 20 adminstrative staff, with an annual research income of approximately $60M.  ESSIC shares professorial appointments with itw three partner departments; currently, there are four split appointments with Atmospheric and Oceanic Science and three with Geology. 

The Master Grant with Goddard supports four major research areas: Earth system variability and change; atmospheric composition and processes; the global carbon cycle (including terrestrial and marine ecosystems/land use/cover change) and the global water cycle (including the cryosphere). The NOAA Cooperative Institute for Satellite Earth System Studies (CISESS), led by ESSIC in collaboration with North Carolina State University, supports NOAA’s mission to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. ESSIC scientists also work with other agencies on both basic and applied Earth System Research, including the NSF, USDA, DOE and EPA. 

ESSIC has a major role to play in the University of Maryland’s Strategic Plan to focus our education, research, scholarship, and service to accelerate solutions to humanity’s grand challenges, including climate change. The ESSIC Director will support the strategic plan by building on ESSIC’s partnerships with other units in the university, strengthening the relationships with NASA and NOAA, and engaging new external partners from universities, federal agencies, the State of Maryland and the private sector, thereby continuing to raise the national and international profile of the University.

The ESSIC Director will report to the CMNS Dean. The candidate should be a nationally and internationally recognized scientist in any of the disciplines essential to understanding the Earth system with a professional record compatible with appointment as full professor with tenure in the appropriate department. A Ph.D. or equivalent is required.  The candidate should also have a strong record of strategic leadership,  and demonstrated ability in managing interdisciplinary research programs, including supervision of finances, HR, IT and communications. Experience with Federal research programs, especially at NASA or NOAA, is preferred.   

Applicants should submit a cover letter, a curriculum vita including publications, a personal statement with a description of how their research and experience qualify them for this position, and the names and contact information of five referees.

Start date and salary are negotiable. The position will remain open until filled, but for best consideration, applications should be received by March 24, 2024.

For additional information, please contact: [email protected]

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.