Program Manager, AI for Weather

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 faculty and other scholars to pursue their finest work.

About the Role

The University of Chicago's Human-Centered Weather Forecasting (HCWF) initiative and AI for Climate Initiative (AICE) seek a Program Manager to manage the day-to-day execution and strategic coordination of the group's portfolio of research and industry-facing programs. This portfolio currently includes engagements with foundations and industry leaders, constituting an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional effort focused on AI weather and sub-seasonal-to-seasonal forecasting for the tropics. This role will work closely with faculty leads and reports to the Director of AI for Weather to ensure programs are delivered on time, on budget, and in a manner that supports the group's scientific and policy goals. The Program Manager serves as the primary program-management point of contact across the group's active initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates action items and participants for scientific meetings requiring sufficient technical fluency in AI weather forecasting topics.
• Leads project management for one or more flagship efforts.
• Coordinates industry and government stakeholder engagement, including planning and executing multi-institutional convenings that require in-depth cross-partner logistics.
• Scopes new project areas, partnerships, and conference opportunities, and manages industry follow-up.
• Executes budget-related tasks and makes budgetary recommendations in coordination with the group's finance/budget lead.
• Supports proposal development and drafts reports for grants and funders.
• Oversees the group's communications and provides support on administrative matters directly tied to lead program work.
• Sets and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria.
• Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Has moderate/high levels of interactions with faculty, researchers, and staff for committee work or information.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.S. or higher) in a related scientific, environmental, or policy field.
• Experience in science policy, international program coordination, or ocean/climate/atmospheric science contexts.
• Experience contributing to program budgets.

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting reports, briefings, or proposals for varied audiences, including public communications work.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating multi-institutional or interagency stakeholders, including funders, government partners, and/or international collaborators.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives independently in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Familiarity with the grant lifecycle, from proposal development through reporting.
• Exposure to AI, climate, or weather-forecasting research environments.

Working Conditions

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, aligning with the project team’s needs. The role may involve extended time working at a computer and engagement with teams working across several time zones.

Pay

$70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year.

Benefits

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.