Director of Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and Professor

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia (UGA) is the birthplace of public higher education in America and the state’s flagship university. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff, with enrollment exceeding 41,000 students.

About Skidaway Institute of Oceanography

Skidaway Institute is a multidisciplinary research institution located on a 700-acre campus, 16 miles southeast of Savannah, Georgia. The Institute provides access to estuarine, coastal, and marine environments and is equipped with state-of-the-art research instrumentation and facilities. It was created in 1968 and merged with UGA in 2013 to enhance marine and coastal programs. The Institute reports to the Vice President for Research at UGA, and its faculty are appointed in the Department of Marine Sciences.

Skidaway Institute operates with 10 permanent faculty, 20 PhD/MSc students, and 32 scientific and operations support staff. It had over $5 million in total research expenditures in the prior fiscal year, with nearly 90% from federal funding sources. The Institute operates the 104-foot coastal class research vessel, the R/V Savannah, part of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet and the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS).

Skidaway Institute provides graduate training, offers courses in marine sciences, and hosts the residential capstone Semester@Skidaway program for undergraduate Ocean Science majors. It annually hosts over 200 visiting scientists and students from around the world and provides housing for visitors on campus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the most senior administrator at Skidaway Institute, overseeing personnel, budgets, and facilities.
• Model and foster a climate of collegiality while providing strategic vision for collaborative research.
• Directly oversee faculty in their research role, as well as the Director of Finance and Operations, Marine Superintendent, Public Relations/Communications Coordinator, and an administrative assistant.
• Conduct or oversee annual evaluations of all Skidaway Institute staff and support their professional development.
• Promote and facilitate externally funded research at Skidaway Institute.
• Collaborate with the Department of Marine Sciences Head to recruit, mentor, and evaluate Skidaway Institute faculty.
• Integrate Skidaway Institute faculty into the Department’s strategic research, education, service, and outreach initiatives.
• Partner with UGA’s other coastal units to develop impactful initiatives consistent with their respective missions.
• Identify and expand collaborative opportunities with other University System of Georgia institutions and UGA colleges and schools.
• Keep the Office of Research, Department of Marine Sciences, and other stakeholders informed of Skidaway Institute initiatives and opportunities.
• Work closely with the UGA Office of Governmental Relations to elevate Skidaway Institute legislative priorities.
• Represent Skidaway Institute in regional, national, and international organizations and venues.
• Remain active in research that advances the research and education missions of Skidaway Institute and the Department of Marine Sciences.

The Director reports to the Vice President for Research in their administrative role and to the Head of the Department of Marine Sciences in their faculty role.

Requirements

• PhD in marine sciences, oceanography, or a closely related field.
• Academic credentials appropriate for appointment as a Full Professor at UGA, with tenure upon appointment if previously tenured at another institution.
• Evidence of an established international reputation.
• Evidence of prior sustained support from federal, state, or foundation grants or contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators while fostering a positive work environment.
• Evidence of successful supervision and mentorship of faculty, staff, and students in a research capacity.
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning and execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior service at a public or private research-intensive institution.
• Demonstrated success in leading innovative research and educational programs.
• Experience running complex research departments or programs, including managing research and administrative staff.
• Accomplishments as a principal investigator on interdisciplinary and multi-investigator externally funded research grants or contracts.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting and mentoring faculty.
• Clear understanding of responsibilities associated with department head and/or dean-level academic administration.
• Expertise or familiarity with managing research vessel operations.

Anticipated start date: July 1, 2027.