Director, AI for Weather at University of Chicago

, Illinois, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

21 Mar, 26

Salary

130000.0

Posted On

21 Dec, 25

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Forecast Operations, Research, Public Engagement, Technical Communication, Data Analysis, Project Management, Collaboration, Grant Writing, Media Relations, Budget Oversight, Team Management, Strategic Planning, Problem Solving, Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Weather Forecasting

Industry

Research Services

Description

Department PSD Data Science: Research Administration About the Department The Data Science Institute at the University of Chicago was established to support the development of emerging efforts in data science across the University. The staff in the Data Science Institute support the University’s community of scholars, their shared ideals, and the core values that make the University a singular intellectual destination. Together with the University's deans and department chairs, the Data Science Institute provides the opportunities, infrastructure, and resources that encourage our faculty and other scholars to pursue their finest work. We are part of the Physical Sciences Division which includes departments and several interdisciplinary research institutes and centers. The AI for Climate (AICE) Research Initiative, a joint initiative with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, aims to accelerate and transform climate research with a focus on both scientific advances and societal impacts. Job Summary The Director of AI for Weather will report to Professor Pedram Hassanzadeh with dotted line reporting to the DSI Senior Director of Research Programs and Strategy and will collaborate with AICE and Climate Extremes Theory and Data group. This role is integral to the smooth operation of the Human Centered Weather Forecasts (HCF) Initiative and related AI weather work, and requires a combination of skills in forecast operations, research, public engagement, and technical communication. This position will involve working with low- and middle-income countries to disseminate forecasts, test their effectiveness, refine based on user feedback, and scale them up through training national meteorological services members and co-developing tools to use and evaluate AI weather forecasts. The Director will combine administrative duties with active research focused on DSI’s efforts at the intersection of AI, Data, and Climate. Work on these topics involves collaborations with leading experts in atmospheric science and AI from UChicago and other institutions. The close partnership with economists and public policy experts at DIL accelerates the translation of the outcome of this work to significant societal impact. In addition to being part of the dynamic AICE and DIL communities, this role will benefit from major AI and climate-related activities at UChicago, including the DSI, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, and Argonne National Lab. Responsibilities Delineates new directions of research, and executes research and operational milestones in collaboration with principal researchers, research professionals, and other partners. This includes developing long-range plans for research projects and coordinating with principal researchers. Manages a team of research professionals and support staff involved with planning, monitoring, and compliance aspects of weather and climate applications. Advises other researchers on long-range plans for research projects. Working with Prof. Hassanzadeh, the Director will advance AI weather forecasting across scales, from short- and medium-range to sub seasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) predictions. Leads forecast projects of interest to the HCF Initiative at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, closely collaborating with a growing multidisciplinary team, including Prof. Michael Kremer (Economics) and Amir Jina (Public Policy), and in conjunction with international efforts at the Development Innovation Lab (DIL). Actively participates in ongoing research projects, including as co-author on scholarly publications and speaker in public lectures and presentations. Designs and conducts experimental work in collaboration with researchers. Assists in data analysis and interpretation. Supervises operational deployments of forecasting weather events across scales. Manages hiring in support of the operational forecasting pipelines. Leads conversations and negotiations with stakeholders to plan, design, and execute collaborations. Establishes strong working relationships with and represents the human-centered weather forecasts initiative in meetings with high-level policymakers, funders, nonprofit leaders, and business executives on the global stage. Identifies fundraising opportunities and leads grant-writing efforts to support core Initiative activities. Manages media relations, engages with the public and media to promote and disseminate research, and serves as a spokesperson for the research initiative. Ensures smooth administration of the Initiative, including financial and administrative oversight, project management, grant reporting, budget oversight, and implements corrective action when appropriate. Represents the HCF Initiative and affiliated programs to both internal and external constituencies, including working groups and committees to advance the planning and successful execution of key projects and representing the Faculty Director in a variety of external settings. Provides high-level project management and strategic support for the Faculty Director; tracks high-priority projects and activities in which the Faculty Director is the lead. Proactively disseminates project information to internal and external stakeholders. Maintains evaluation metrics of the program. Manages program operations and administrative functions which may include planning and scheduling, program evaluation, policy implementation, personnel administration, budget, marketing, fundraising and proposal development. Manages the dissemination, interpretation and application of program policies and recommends or makes exceptions. Contributes to design of program content, policies and strategic planning efforts. Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Education: PhD in a related field. Experience: Background working with international teams, particularly in weather-related work. Regions of special interest include India and Africa. Preferred Competencies Demonstrated ability to maintain high-level relationships with academic researchers, governments, and external partnerships. Demonstrated success in research, scientific and/or academic program management. Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills. Effective project management skills, including managing and successfully working across teams, budgeting, attention to operational and research details, and manage multiple projects efficiently. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Expert problem-solving and analytical skills. Application Documents Resume/CV (required) Cover Letter (required) When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Administration & Management Role Impact People Manager Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $115,000.00 - $130,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook. Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637. The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government. To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/

Responsibilities

The Director will manage research and operational milestones, lead forecast projects, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. They will also engage with stakeholders and oversee the administration of the Human Centered Weather Forecasts Initiative.