Executive Director, Division of Atmospheric Sciences

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.

The successful candidate will: 1) perform oversight of DAS personnel; 2) provide career coaching, support and recruitment of DAS personnel; 3) work with faculty to maintain and grow the existing portfolio of DAS research projects and programs; 4) identify new opportunities and initiate new lines of business by leveraging existing capabilities and engaging with potential sponsors of future research, and 5) provide leadership and oversight of DAS resources.

DRI values leadership skills. These are important for the candidate’s success in this position and include the ability to communicate with a broad range of audiences, listen with empathy and interest, and work collaboratively in various team settings.

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, as well as 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 (see “About the Division of Atmospheric Sciences” below or visit
• 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 and maintain 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 10 CFR 707.4) 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. DRI provides excellent benefits that include:

• 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 their research under the supervision of DAS faculty while working toward an M.S. or Ph.D. degree. Visit and for more detailed information about our research activities.

Exempt

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Please upload the following documents in the specified section of the position’s online application at

• 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.

Newly hired faculty and postdoctoral fellows must assure that their official transcript is submitted to the Human Resources Office within 30 calendar days from the effective date of employment. Academic degrees must have been awarded by regionally accredited institutions.

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

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.