Planetary Scientist Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary

Senior Director for Science – a newly created position to help define the future of one of the world’s premier space research institutions.

Who We Are

The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest research institutes of CU Boulder, the #1 public university recipient of NASA research grants, and one of America’s leading aerospace universities. With a focus on solar, stellar, space plasma, atmospheric, and planetary sciences, LASP employs experimental and theoretical approaches to answer key science questions. Since its inception in 1948, LASP has developed, operated, and analyzed data from scientific instrumentation for solar science, Earth‑atmospheric, planetary, deep‑space, and Earth‑orbiting spacecraft missions. LASP has secured over $1.75 B in grants and contracts since 2013. Approximately 400 of LASP’s 600‑person staff are technical staff and research scientists. The LASP community includes tenure/tenure‑track faculty, approximately 110 student employees, 69 graduate students, and 10 postdocs.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Key Responsibilities Laboratory‑Level Scientific Leadership

• Foster a vibrant multi‑disciplinary and inclusive scientific community of researchers within LASP’s science division.
• Provide strategic leadership for the scientific direction of LASP and advise the Director on all matters related to scientific institutional positioning.
• Define, articulate, and implement LASP’s long‑term scientific vision.
• Enable institutional strategy that ensures continued competitiveness in major research programs and space missions.
• Guide the direction of major proposals, new research initiatives, and investment in capability development, including identification of LASP‑internal leaders for these.
• Oversee tenure‑track faculty lines, including recruitment, retention, promotion, and salary structures, working with the Director.
• Establish policies affecting the scientific workforce and oversee their implementation, such as hiring, evaluation, and promotion.
• Make staffing decisions that provide leadership structure for the Science Division and oversight for LASP’s faculty, researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and science students.
• Facilitate cross‑divisional collaboration across LASP’s science, technical and operational teams.
• Provide guidance to scientific teams facing leadership or organizational challenges.
• Collaborate with divisional assistant directors to provide structures and policies that foster mentorship, growth, and career opportunities for LASP scientists.
• Execute their own scientific research program with excellence.

External Scientific Leadership and Representation

• Work closely with the Director to promote and advocate for LASP’s scientific mission and programs, representing LASP science in interactions with university leadership, industry, federal agencies, and national and international scientific communities.
• Strengthen LASP’s leadership within the national and international space science community.
• Shape national and international scientific agendas through leadership and participation in panels, advisory bodies, and public‑facing communications.
• Support the Director in serving as one of LASP’s primary scientific representatives to NASA, NOAA, NSF, and federal agencies; the National Academies panels and advisory bodies; international space agencies and global research partners; and commercial and philanthropic partners.
• Promote the participation of LASP scientists in national and international leadership, identifying opportunities and providing mentoring.
• Strengthen collaborations with CU Boulder departments, institutes, and external research organizations.

What You Should Know

• Because of export‑control requirements, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or other protected individuals are eligible for hire.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary range for this position is $263,000 to $300,000, plus moving allowance.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well‑being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. Additional perks and programs are available through the CU Advantage program.

What We Require

• Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., atmospheric science, planetary science, solar physics, space physics, or related fields).
• An internationally recognized record of scientific achievement and research leadership.
• Leadership of major research programs, mission science teams, or research organizations.
• Demonstrated success in scientific leadership, mentorship, and team development.
• 10+ years’ experience with large interdisciplinary collaborations and complex research initiatives.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication of science at expert and layperson levels.

What You Will Need

• Visionary scientific leadership.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
• Strategic thinking and institutional perspective.
• Commitment to mentoring and developing scientific talent.
• Ability to represent LASP effectively across the national and international research landscape.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Scientific expertise in multiple of LASP’s scientific and technical disciplines.
• Prior experience in senior leadership roles within research institutes, universities, or space mission organizations.
• Experience interacting with federal research agencies such as NASA, NOAA, or NSF.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute long‑term scientific strategy.
• Experience managing faculty or research scientist career‑track systems.
• Strong commitment to fostering a multi‑disciplinary and inclusive scientific community.