Director, Illinois Three Dimensional Mesonet
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Illinois Three-Dimensional (3D) Mesonet. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to lead a first-of-its-kind, statewide, multi-sector environmental observing network designed to transform weather, climate, and environmental monitoring and decision-making across Illinois and the Nation.
About the Illinois 3D Mesonet
The Illinois 3D Mesonet is a transformative partnership among the Department of Climate, Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences (CliMAS), the Prairie Research Institute (PRI), and several other campus and external partners including the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN), and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). It combines surface, subsurface, and autonomous drone-based atmospheric observations up to 8,000 feet and will integrate these data with a federated statewide environmental data portal and decision-support tools benefiting public safety, agriculture, transportation, utilities, education, health, and more.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic, scientific, and operational leadership for the Illinois 3D Mesonet during its initial deployment phase.
- Lead planning for subsequent phases of the project to build out the statewide network, including developing and promoting a plan for state funding, partnerships, and cost recovery models.
- Coordinate activities among core partners (CliMAS, PRI, NCSA, DPI, IIN) and the Illinois Climate Network (ICN) as well as the External Advisory Board and Internal Steering Committee.
- Promote the 3D Mesonet throughout Illinois to government, industry, and academia, and obtain funding for the first phase of the project, including coordinating installation of 15 surface and sub‑surface observing stations, establishing the federated data portal, and facilitating real‑time analyses and forecasts from physics‑ and AI‑based prediction models.
- Help sustain relationships with NOAA’s National Mesonet Program, state agencies, industry, and other statewide mesonets.
- Serve as liaison to the Illinois legislature and federal delegation.
- Promote the use of 3D Mesonet data in K‑20 education, public education, and research.
- Report progress quarterly to UIUC leadership and relevant funding sources.
- Report jointly to the Head of CliMAS and Executive Director of PRI, and coordinate among internal and external stakeholders.
- Receive, review, and disseminate guidance from the External Advisory Board and Internal Steering Committee.
- Develop the structure for and establish the Illinois 3D Mesonet Program Office.
- Oversee senior staff including the Director of Operations.
- Work with campus stakeholders and partners to create a drone‑based demonstration project.
- Ensure data quality, metadata standards, and cybersecurity.
- Perform other duties as needed to further the mission of the Survey, PRI, and the University of Illinois.
- Keep abreast of developments in the discipline.
Minimum Requirements
- Graduate degree or equivalent experience in the physical sciences, engineering, environmental science, or related field.
- Demonstrated leadership in large‑scale environmental observation or data integration projects.
- Experience raising funds, developing proposals, and managing multi‑institutional, interdisciplinary programs with government and industry partners.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications
- Doctoral degree in the physical sciences, engineering, environmental science, or related field.
- Familiarity with public and private institutions in Illinois and relevant state government areas.
- Familiarity with mesonet operations or public‑sector weather networks.
- Experience developing or familiarity with UAV/drone‑based sensing programs.
- Proven ability to secure external funding and manage budgets exceeding $1M.
- Understanding of state and federal policy processes related to environmental monitoring and data sharing.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full‑time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12‑month basis. This is an in‑person position requiring occasional travel. The budgetary salary range for this position is $100,000–$150,000.
The position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.
Benefits
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. Benefits include Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates.
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