"Director of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory"

Job Details

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory seeks a visionary, collaborative, and innovative scientific leader to guide one of the most influential Earth Science institutions into its next era of discovery and global impact as its new Director.

Since 1949, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (Lamont) has stood at the forefront of Earth Science discovery. From pioneering the first maps of the seafloor that provided much of the critical evidence for plate tectonics, to revealing the oceans' critical role in driving climate change and developing groundbreaking models that predicted El Niño, Lamont scientists have transformed our understanding of the planet.

Today, Lamont is a vibrant hub of exploration and innovation: a community of ~550 scientists, students, and staff, including nearly 200 PhD-level researchers and ~90 graduate students working across every continent and ocean. A hybrid research-educational institution, Lamont is centered on its own campus focused on fundamental Earth Science and anchored by large top-ranked postdoc, PhD and undergraduate programs. Lamont integrates Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DEES) tenure-track faculty with its own research faculty, all of whom are involved in training students and postdocs. Both Lamont and DEES have sizable endowments. This unique structure drives Lamont's success, providing stability, fostering collaboration, and enabling Lamont to remain nimble in addressing emerging scientific challenges.

Lamont researchers study Earth from its deepest interior to the outer reaches of its atmosphere, delivering insights to guide humanity's most urgent decisions. Organized into specialized divisions to provide administrative structure - Biology & Paleo Environment, Geochemistry, Marine & Polar Geophysics, Ocean & Climate Physics, and Seismology, Geology & Tectonophysics - Lamont's PI-driven culture thrives on interdisciplinary work that bridges these areas to tackle complex questions. The Observatory operates the R/V Marcus G. Langseth, one of only five global-class vessels in the U.S. academic research fleet and the best equipped for seismic imaging to uncover hidden faults and earthquake hazards beneath the seafloor. At Lamont, discovery never stops: each breakthrough brings scientists closer to understanding how and why Earth changes - and to shaping a healthier, more resilient planet for generations to come.

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is stepping into a new era - ready to advance bold research, inspire innovation, and elevate its impact on our changing planet. Its spirit of exploration makes Lamont the scientific heart of the new Columbia Climate School, founded in 2020 to advance knowledge-based solutions and educate future leaders for a just and sustainable world. The next Director will bring strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and fundraising expertise to unify and further ignite Lamont's entrepreneurial culture, modernize its campus, and elevate its visibility globally and within Columbia. Key priorities include crafting a forward-looking, positive vision and research agenda, securing new and diverse funding streams, facilitating partnerships across the Climate School, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and other Columbia Schools and institutes, and championing Lamont's societal impact through advocacy and strategic communications.

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is seeking an innovative Director to lead one of the world's premier Earth Science research institutes. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with proven experience guiding complex organizations, fostering inclusive and collaborative cultures, and driving strategic change. They will possess strong financial acumen, including success in securing philanthropy and other funding sources, managing institutional budgets, and anticipating policy and trend impacts on research. Skilled in administration and operations, they will navigate University governance, modernize infrastructure, and implement initiatives through broad stakeholder engagement. Exceptional communication and relationship-building abilities will be essential, as will effectively articulating the mission, cultivating partnerships, and leading with transparency and integrity. Successful candidates will have an advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) in an Earth Science discipline or a closely related field, a record of research and scholarly achievement, and proven leadership experience.

WittKieffer is assisting Lamont in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 20, 2026. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile which can be found at www.wittkieffer.com.

Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to Suzanne Teer, Jessica Herrington, and Julia Bradley at: LDEODirector@wittkieffer.com.

The salary range for this position is $320,000 to $400,000.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran.