The University of South Florida College of Marine Science and the Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation seek a visionary leader to serve as the Associate Director of an Ocean and Environmental Data Visualization center—an initiative that will develop, integrate, and deliver advanced data systems and tools to create visual narratives that inform policy and management decisions. You'll be part of a multidisciplinary team working at the intersection of science, technology, and data innovation. 

The Associate Director will work with the Center Director and the Center’s scientific advisory board to define and advance the center's priorities, training program, professional networks, outreach activities, and major initiatives with the goal of establishing the center as a premier hub for collaborative synthesis and visualization of data.

We seek an accomplished research leader with deep expertise in marine spatial science and geospatial analytics—someone who can bridge the gap between complex environmental data and actionable insights, convene diverse stakeholders around shared challenges, and translate scientific understanding into the public domain. We value curiosity, collaboration, creativity and pragmatism, and we invite candidates with a track record of advancing geospatial programs.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and maintain innovative workflows that support acquisition, processing, visualization, and sharing of diverse datasets to make science accessible and actionable.
• Build the center's reputation as a trusted source for science-based information and guidance. Foster partnerships through topical working groups, training, and open science initiatives that engage researchers, students, managers, policymakers, and Florida's communities. 
• Advance geospatial research and visualization as a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator. Employ and understand spatial problem solving, break problems into component parts, seek multiple solutions, and look for opportunities to improve delivery of valued solutions to key issues.
• Develop and deliver presentations that explain visualizations and analytical insights to external groups, including technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Communicate with visualization center clients to propose solutions that illustrate how geospatial data products can address the critical challenges they face. Identify and integrate new and emerging concepts/trends appropriately from external sources. 
• Develop, document, and execute governance structures and technical solutions for data interoperability, metadata standards, and cloud-based services that align with FAIR principles.
• Establish and monitor annual budgets, licensing agreements, grants, contracts, and performance and recruitment of staff. Conceptualize, grow, and supervise team that deliver synthesis, visualizations, and outreach.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum of five years related experience.
• Minimum two years of experience supervising research teams or programs. Proven ability to mentor scientists and technical professionals.
• Professional recognition in geospatial science, ecosystem-based management, or related fields via membership on regional advisory boards, teams, and working groups.
• Demonstrated success in building collaborative, multidisciplinary initiatives across disciplines and sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to provide innovative, visionary leadership that advances the center at the intersection of science, problem solving, and education and outreach.
• Experience managing complex agreements, budgets comprising millions of dollars, and multiple streams of funding.
• Experience presenting to scientific, management, and policy communities. Remarkable presentation, interpersonal, and listening skills.
• Strong understanding of the principles of geospatial visualization, cartography, ESRI products, development of tools to support decisions, standards for data, cloud computing, 3D visualization, and web-based data.
• Based in St. Petersburg, FL with ability to travel domestically or internationally and ability to pass a level 2 background check.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Recommended:

• Ph.D. in marine science, oceanography, ecology, geography, atmospheric science, environmental science, or closely related fields.
• Proven record of translating research into products to inform management.
• Experience with large-scale spatial datasets. 
• Experience with remote sensing (satellite, LiDAR, and acoustic mapping).
• Familiarity with machine learning, especially in environmental science.
• Established relationships with Florida state agencies, NOAA, and other federal partners.
• Understanding of regional environmental priorities and management challenges.
• Familiarity with global change modeling, ecosystem modeling, connectivity analysis, hydrographic modeling, or modeling of species distributions.
• Familiarity with marine or environmental data standards (e.g., NetCDF, CF conventions, OPENDAP, ERDDAP, THREDDS).
• Experience with cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or similar) and web services.

The primary mission of the College of Marine Science is to conduct basic and applied research in ocean science. The College has 32 full time ranked faculty, with support from research associates and assistants, professional administrative staff, support staff and technical staff. It has approximately 108 Graduate Students, generates ~$17 million/yr in research expenditures, and maintains13 separate research laboratories. Additional information about the College can be found here:

https://www.usf.edu/marine-science/about-us/index.aspx

The Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation (Flood Hub) is the State of Florida’s center for data on changes in the risk of flooding.  Its serves as a premier thought leader on research into flooding and helps Florida prepare for the reality of rising sea levels, stronger storms, and more extreme rainfall. The Flood Hub is envisioned to be a one-stop-shop that helps all local, regional, and state agencies incorporate planning for flooding as part of a long-term strategy for developing infrastructure and policies that reflect Florida’s risks. The Flood Hub is hosted by the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science on the university's St. Petersburg campus. Additional information is available at: https://www.usf.edu/marine-science/research/florida-flood-hub-for-applied-research-and-innovation/index.aspx 

To apply, submit a detailed cover letter and curriculum vitae.  Priority review of applications begins on February 9, 2026.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: 

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  This job description does not constitute an employment contract.