Earth Science Data Management Leader

Requisition Id 13776 

 

Overview: 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Data Management researcher to oversee and lead the NASA-funded Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center for Biogeochemical Dynamics (ORNL DAAC). This position is within the Earth System Informatics and Data Discovery Section, which is part of ORNL’s Environmental Sciences Division (ESD). ESD is an interdisciplinary research and development organization with over 60 years of achievement in environmental research at local, regional, national, and international levels. Our mission is to expand scientific knowledge and develop innovative strategies and technologies that strengthen the nation's leadership in creating solutions to sustain the Earth’s natural resources.

 

The ORNL DAAC (https://daac.ornl.gov/) is a key component of NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) and is responsible for providing free and open access to data from NASA's Earth Science Missions. The successful candidate will lead a passionate multidisciplinary research and engineering team with expertise in the Earth data, software engineering, and computer sciences.

 

 Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Provide leadership and technical contributions to the field of Earth system informatics by performing independent research, development, and/or engineering on an ongoing basis.
• Develop, manage, and provide leadership and technical execution of research and development programs that deliver integrated data products, data delivery systems, and data analysis tools.
• Develop and implement a vision for data publication, management, and distribution using cutting-edge data tools, services, and technologies.
• Formulate long-term plans for evolving operational responsibilities within the ORNL DAAC.
• Collaborate closely with key personnel in NASA’s Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project, NASA HQ sponsors, and the NASA Terrestrial Ecology and Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems communities to establish requirements, goals, and deliverables.
• Foster connections with the terrestrial ecology community, both within and outside of NASA, to ensure appropriate levels of service and tools for data discovery, access, and analysis.
• Proactively develop new opportunities by implementing an ORNL data strategy and representing the project to NASA, DOE, and other government agencies.
• Foster collaboration across ORNL to maximize the project’s benefits by leveraging institutional strengths, while also contributing to ORNL's growth and the development of new, innovative capabilities.
• Lead and manage the ORNL DAAC through organizational changes and restructuring, ensuring smooth transitions and continuous alignment with strategic goals.
• Drive change management initiatives to support the evolution and restructuring of the ORNL DAAC, including the adoption of new processes, technologies, and organizational structures.
• Engage and communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders to facilitate change and minimize disruption during periods of restructuring.
• Manage a diverse team that includes senior and junior researchers, postdoctoral researchers, technical professionals, and administrative staff.
• Review, evaluate, document, and report annual staff performance, while supporting and fostering professional development.
• Support recruitment and hiring to expand group capabilities.
• Maintain a strong commitment to upholding values and ethics within the team.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Pr