Scientific Program Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Department
PSD Data Science: AI Weather Research Staff
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 our faculty and other scholars to pursue their finest work.
Job Summary
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. Specifically, 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.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:

• Advanced degree (M.S. or higher) in a related scientific, environmental, or policy field.

Experience:

• Experience in science policy, international program coordination, or ocean/climate/atmospheric science contexts.
• Experience contributing to program budgets.

Preferred Competencies

• 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.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter describing interest and qualifications (required)
• List of three professional references (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$70,000.00 - $85,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
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.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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