NSF NOIRLab Director

AURA•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

The NSF NOIRLab Director provides strategic, scientific, operational, and managerial leadership for the U.S. National Science Foundation National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory. Reporting through the AURA President to the AURA Board of Directors, the Director defines the Laboratory’s vision and structure, sets priorities and goals across its programs, and provides leadership and support to the senior management team and staff. The Director works with partners and stakeholders in the national and international research community to ensure current and future programs are conducted successfully and advance scientific innovation. The Director will guide NOIRLab as an integrated system of observing facilities, data products, and analysis tools, while modernizing operations across geographically dispersed locations. The role leads a multidisciplinary workforce of nearly 600 FTEs and fosters an effective organizational culture across teams in Arizona, Hawaiʻi, and Chile. Responsibilities also include overseeing complex multi-user facilities and data science platforms, stewarding federal investments, and serving as Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator for NOIRLab projects and operations. The Director will work primarily from a NOIRLab location in Tucson, Arizona; Hilo, Hawaiʻi; or La Serena, Chile, with frequent travel to other locations. The targeted start date is October 1, 2027. The position is open until filled.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or a closely related scientific or engineering discipline.
Track record of success in an executive leadership role managing complex, international, and/or geographically distributed astronomy projects or major facilities.
Extensive experience in strategic planning, multi-agency budgetary planning and oversight, and complex financial management.
Demonstrated excellence in conflict resolution, critical analysis, and operational problem solving within a matrixed workforce.
Direct experience leading successful organizational change management and/or institutional restructuring.
Proven ability to balance and prioritize competing requirements from multiple stakeholders.
Exceptional interpersonal, diplomatic, and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to build, lead, and unify diverse, high-performing teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience overseeing programs that use large-scale datasets, data management systems, or time-domain astrophysics workflows.
Experience managing the lifecycle, development, and/or maintenance of complex hardware and software systems.
Commitment to and track record of scientific community engagement, support for regional host communities, educational outreach, and workforce development.
Deep knowledge of federal funding agency strategies, policies, and performance metrics.

Responsibilities

Innovate, motivate, and advance the NOIRLab mission in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Develop and implement NOIRLab strategic plans, initiatives, budgets, and priorities.
Develop and sustain relationships with federal funding agencies, international scientific partners, complex labor environments, and regional host communities; pursue strategic collaborations and advocate for NOIRLab’s mission and strategic plan.
Oversee distributed operations of national and international multi-user observing facilities and data science platforms.
Ensure effective integration and alignment of NOIRLab leadership, and build employee trust, competencies, and agility.
Lead change management so NOIRLab can meet current requirements and future needs.
Collaborate with the AURA President, corporate leaders, and Board on key efforts, risks, challenges, and opportunities.
Interact with NSF, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other funding organizations to steward federal investments in astronomy research and education.
Collaborate with the AURA Leadership Team to advance AURA’s mission and the combined scientific impacts of its federally funded research capabilities.
Serve as PI or co-PI by overseeing scientific, technical, and budgetary aspects of NOIRLab projects and operations, including preparing funding proposals with other AURA staff.
Work with the NOIRLab Deputy Director, senior leadership team, and AURA Corporate to advance institutional safety, operational excellence, and the Laboratory’s long-term scientific mission.