Director, Illinois Three-Dimensional (3D) Mesonet - Illnois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Ins

Director, Illinois Three Dimensional Mesonet
Illinois State Water Survey / Department of Climate,
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Illinois Three-Dimensional (3D) Mesonet. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to lead a first-of-its-kind, statewide, multi-sector environmental observing network designed to transform weather, climate, and environmental monitoring and decision-making across Illinois and the Nation.

About the Illinois 3D Mesonet

The Illinois 3D Mesonet is a transformative partnership among the Department of Climate, Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences (CliMAS), the Prairie Research Institute (PRI), and several other campus and external partners including the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN), and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).

The 3D Mesonet represents a new generation of environmental observing systems - combining surface, subsurface, and autonomous drone-based atmospheric observations up to 8,000 feet. It will integrate these data with a federated statewide environmental data portal and new decision-support tools that benefit stakeholders in public safety/emergency management, agriculture, transportation, power utilities, K-12 and higher education, public health, communications, urban planning, manufacturing, and research. When completed, it will be the Nation's first fully three-dimensional, autonomous mesonet.

Lead the creation of a first-of-its-kind, statewide, multi-sector environmental observing network designed to transform weather, climate, and environmental monitoring and decision-making across Illinois and the Nation.

*Provide strategic, scientific, and operational leadership for the Illinois 3D Mesonet during its initial deployment phase.
Lead planning for subsequent phases of the project to build out the statewide network, including developing and promoting a plan for state funding, partnerships, and cost recovery models.
*Coordinate activities among core partners (CliMAS, PRI, NCSA, DPI, IIN), especially the Illinois Climate Network (ICN), as well as the External Advisory Board and Internal Steering Committee.
*Promote the 3D Mesonet throughout Illinois to government, industry, and academia, and obtain funding for the first phase of the project. This includes coordinating the installation of 15 surface and sub-surface observing stations, establishing the federated data portal, and facilitating real time analyses and forecasts from physics- and AI-based prediction models as well as stakeholder products and services.
*Help sustain relationships with NOAA's National Mesonet Program, state agencies, industry, and other statewide mesonets.
*Serve as liaison to the Illinois legislature and Illinois federal delegation.
*Promote the use of 3D Mesonet data in research, K-20 education, formal and informal public education, and other public engagement.
*Report progress quarterly to UIUC leadership and relevant funding sources.

*Report jointly to the Head of CliMAS and Executive Director of PRI, or their designees, the Director will serve as the public face of the 3D Mesonet and will coordinate among internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful implementation, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability planning.
*Receive, review, and disseminate guidance from the External Advisory Board and Internal Steering Committee, and be assisted by University faculty, staff and students.
*Develop the structure for and establish the Illinois 3D Mesonet Program Office.
*Oversee senior staff including the Director of Operations.
*Work with campus stakeholders and other partners to create a drone-based demonstration project for both in situ sensing of conventional environmental parameters as well as remote sensing of surface parameters relating to crops, soil, water, and other features.
*Ensure data quality, metadata standards, and cybersecurity.

*Perform other duties as needed to further the mission and goals of the Survey, PRI, and the University of Illinois.
*Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.

Minimum Requirements
*Graduate degree or equivalent experience in the physical sciences, engineering, environmental science, or related field.
*Demonstrated leadership in large-scale environmental observation or data integration projects.
*Experience raising funds, developing proposals, and managing multi-institutional, interdisciplinary programs with government and industry partners.
*Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
*Valid Drivers License

Preferred Qualifications
*Doctoral degree in the physical sciences, engineering, environmental science, or related field.
*Familiarity with public and private institutions in Illinois, as well as State government, in areas relevant to the 3D Mesonet. This includes familiarity with any one or more of the following: public safety/emergency management, agriculture, transportation, power utilities, K-12 and higher education, public health, communications, urban planning, manufacturing, and research.
*Familiarity with mesonet operations or public-sector weather networks.
*Experience developing, or familiarity with, UAV/drone-based sensing programs.
*Proven ability to secure external funding and manage budgets exceeding $1M.
*Understanding of state and federal policy processes related to environmental monitoring and data sharing.

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. This is an in-person position requiring occasional travel. The budgetary salary range for this position
ranges from $100,000-$150,000. We strive to provide a competitive
salary considering factors such as available market data, internal equity,
candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and
budget constraints. The final salary
offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements. The start date is negotiable. This position is not considered a
tenure-track faculty position.

*This
position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for
sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on June 15th 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Interviews may begin prior to the closing date, but no hiring decisions or offers will be presented prior to the closing date. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jon Freiman, HR Business Partner at jcf@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1034284

Job Category: Professional and Administrative

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu