Applied Climate Scientist/State Climatologist

Rutgers University is seeking an Applied Climate Scientist/State Climatologist for a tenured faculty position in New Brunswick, NJ. The role involves leading the state's climate program, coordinating research, teaching, and outreach activities, and engaging with stakeholders. Responsibilities include managing staff, preparing reports, and seeking funding for climate initiatives. The position requires strong collaboration within departments and a commitment to high-impact research and education in climate science.
Salary: Commensurate With Experience

Benefits
Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.

Posting Summary
The Departments of Environmental Sciences and Geography at Rutgers University - New Brunswick, seek applications for a tenured faculty position as Applied Climate Scientist/State Climatologist. This 12-month (calendar year) appointment as Associate Extension Specialist or Extension Specialist (at the equivalent rank of Associate or Full Professor, respectively), will coordinate and lead the state's climate program by directing the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist.
The Department of Environmental Sciences is in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES), and the Department of Geography is in the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS). The Applied Climate Scientist/State Climatologist will contribute to the integrated research, teaching, and extension land-grant mission of SEBS-NJAES and SAS as an effective scholar, teacher/mentor, and public spokesperson.

Specific Duties Include
• Coordinate and lead the state's climate program by directing the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist (https://climate.rutgers.edu/stateclim/), including the supervision of staff who support the mission of the State Climatologist.
• Provide briefings to state and federal officials as needed.
• Prepare formal and informal technical reports and presentations on climate projects and issues.
• Respond to questions from the media and stakeholder groups by evaluating and interpreting data.
• Engage in robust community outreach with stakeholders from urban to suburban to agricultural clientele, with an emphasis on weather and climate, through the NJAES system.
• Confer with other State Climatologists around the country and with national, regional, and local weather and climate experts on data needs, climate communication, and climate data interpretation.
• Manage and build the capacity of the Rutgers NJ Weather Network (mesonet) (https://njweather.org), cultivate and maintain stakeholder relationships and participate in mesonet advisory groups to support the provision of high quality, valid data for governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, industry, and the general public.
• Seek appropriate funding for functions and programs of the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist and other collaborating programs at Rutgers and with other departments/units.
• The successful candidate will develop a high-impact, nationally and internationally recognized extension, research and teaching program in climate science; effectively obtain and leverage external and internal support (grants, fee revenue, etc.) for research and teaching activities; mentor graduate students; publish in high-quality, high-impact peer-reviewed journals and participate in scientific meetings and other appropriate professional activities. The successful candidate will also establish effective collaborations in the Departments of Environmental Sciences and Geography and beyond, including effective integration with research groups, extension and/or educational programming; connect with stakeholders, agency, and/or industry partners to strengthen programming; and translate research-based information into learner-centered products. This includes creating scholarly, innovative, and high-impact learning programs and tools; identifying opportunities focused on emerging regional and national issues with international relevance; and mentoring colleagues through professional development, translational research, grants, and professional writing. The candidate will be expected to teach one undergraduate course in meteorology or climate science per year. Specific course assignments may be changed over time based on programmatic needs. In addition to the above-described duties, the individual will be expected to participate in appropriate departmental, school and university service.

Position Status: Full Time

Minimum Education and Experience
• Ph.D. in climate science, meteorology, or a directly related field at the time of
appointment. Ability to contribute to the integrated research, teaching, and

extension land-grant mission of SEBS-NJAES and SAS as an effective

scholar, teacher/mentor, and public spokesperson.

Certifications/Licenses
Required

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ph.D. in climate science, meteorology, or a directly related field at the time of appointment.
• Expertise in applications of climate science for decision-making.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on communicating complex climate issues to a variety of stakeholders.
• Experience interpreting and analyzing weather and climate data for governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, industry, and/or the general public through formal or informal reports and/or presentations. - Ability to engage in scientific teamwork to address major issues related to climate science.
• Experience with mesonet systems, including interpretation and provision of high-quality data to stakeholders.
• Experience and commitment to excellence in teaching.
• Experience collaborating with climate research and outreach centers and/or state/tribal/federal climate agencies.
• Evidence of work with a variety of communities or groups.

Statement
The Department of Environmental Sciences (DES) in the School of Environmental

and Biological Sciences is the oldest environmental sciences department in the nation, with a

history dating back over 100 years. In addition to its programs in Meteorology and Atmospheric

Science, DES is home to programs in Environmental Science and a joint Environmental

Engineering program with the School of Engineering. DES has a strong presence in Extension

through faculty involvement in the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station that is part of the University's Land-Grant mission. The Department of Geology in the School of Arts and Sciences is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary. The Department is home to academic programs in Geography, Environmental Studies, and International and Global Studies. A member of the Big Ten and the Association of American Universities, Rutgers-New Brunswick is America's eighth oldest institution of higher learning and New Jersey's premier flagship public research university. The city of New Brunswick is situated in the heart of America's vibrant and diverse northeast corridor, which runs from Boston to Washington, D.C. The Rutgers University system includes two other campuses in Newark and Camden as well as Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.

Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants should provide a cover letter that includes a summary of their academic background and why they are interested in this opportunity. Other required documents include a CV, contact information for three references, a statement of research interests and how it aligns with or complements existing extension and research at SEBS-NJAES/SAS/Rutgers, a statement of teaching interests and philosophy, and a statement discussing your past experiences and philosophy for promoting equity and inclusion in a rich educational environment through extension, research, teaching, mentoring, and service (https://execdeanagriculture.rutgers.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/diversity-statement-instructions.php).

Review of applications will begin on May 30, 2025, and continue until filled, with an intended

position start date of January 1, 2026.

Campus: Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Home Location Campus: Cook (RU-New Brunswick)

City
New Brunswick

State
NJ

Location Details
14 College Farm Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901