Swiss research chief Thomas Zurbuchen is leaving NASA

After six intensive years as head of research at NASA, the Swiss Thomas Zurbuchen is stepping down towards the end of the year. A conversation with an innovative, inspiring scientist about his decision to leave the US space agency.

Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s Swiss research director, has announced his resignation.

Christoph Ruckstuhl / NZZ

Mr. Zurbuchen, you say that NASA’s science program is ready for a change. What changes are you thinking of?

Every manager brings ideas for change with them. My goal was to make NASA’s science program more aggressive, innovative, and diverse—while staying within budget. I was able to successfully implement all of these intentions. I’ve also been Director of Science longer than any of my predecessors at NASA. Most only stayed two to three years. It was clear to me that it was now time for a change: Nasa needs new people who bring other good ideas.

Why did most of your predecessors leave after two years?

It’s an incredible responsibility and the scope of the work is enormous. For comparison: In other organizations, three, sometimes even four people are hired for the same tasks. In order to master this challenge, you have to build an incredibly good team. I did it. Others may have been less successful in this regard. But I was definitely just lucky.

on Nasa Blogs write in connection with your resignation that everyone has their weaknesses and that these weaknesses will become more noticeable in organizations over time. What are your weaknesses?

Depending on the situation, strengths can also be weaknesses. I’m good at bringing in new changes, being innovative. I want to move fast. But there are also things that simply take longer. In such situations, there was sometimes friction because I’m too impatient for some people and want to push change too aggressively. In this respect, there are certainly employees who are happy that I am leaving.

Besides the need for change in NASA’s science program, are there other reasons you are leaving your position?

Another reason is the elections that will take place in the USA in 2024. In these uncertain times, there should be no major changes within NASA; the science program must be stable.

Was the decision to leave NASA difficult for you?

I will leave with a laugh and a cry in my eye. It was an incredible experience. But the fact is, the team is more important than each individual. I go on good terms and I feel like I made the right decision.

Are there already potential candidates who could take over your position at NASA from 2023?

A nomination process will begin soon, and a list of candidates will be announced in about two months — at least within NASA. I’m not aware of any such list, nor is it my job to look after it.

What challenges will your successor face?

Eighty percent of the tasks will be the same as mine. The first thing is to build the best team. Second, there are two to three missions that are particularly important next year. This includes Europa Clipper – a space mission to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa with a budget of three to four billion dollars. It will be the responsibility of the future science director to accompany the team in such challenges – similar to what I did with the Perseverance Rover and at James Webb Space Telescope. Third, it will be about strategically improving the science program.

How will you spend your remaining time at NASA?

My everyday life will not change much until December 31st and the program will be very tight as always. For example, in September the new results from Mars will be announced and the satellite Dart will collide with an asteroid to knock it out of its orbit.

They want to spend time with friends and family and go skiing in 2023. Have you already thought about where you will go professionally after this break?

For the next year, my primary concern will be to reflect on what I’ve learned during my time at NASA. I also want to figure out what to focus on next. There are many possibilities: I could, for example, work as a researcher, professor or manager at a university. Going into industry is another option.

At the end of our interview, is there anything else you would like to say to young scientists and students?

I hope that through my story I can inspire people to take charge of their lives. If someone from Heiligenschwendi manages to become NASA’s director of science, then really anyone can achieve what they dream of.


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