Apply on Employer Site

Oak Ridge National Laboratory · 1 day ago

Associate Laboratory Director, Biological and Environmental Systems Sciences

Oak Ridge, TN

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

5+ years exp

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a dynamic, visionary leader to serve as Associate Laboratory Director for the Biological and Environmental Systems Science Directorate. The ALD will provide executive oversight and strategic direction for the directorate, driving scientific breakthroughs and translating them into impactful solutions.

Advanced MaterialsClean EnergyEnergyEnergy ManagementManufacturingNuclearRenewable Energy

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of ORNL’s senior leadership team, sharing responsibility for simultaneous excellence in science and technology, operations, and community engagement

Provide executive oversight for the Environmental Sciences Division, the Biosciences Division, and the DOE Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI)

Shape and execute a forward-looking vision for BESSD, aligned with ORNL’s mission and refined BESSD Strategic Plan, to drive scientific breakthroughs and their translations into solutions at scale

Provide executive oversight of (a) ORNL’s automated plant transformation facility, developed to speed up engineering of plant traits, as well as (b) the Nation’s most advanced phenotyping capability (APPL - Advanced Plant Phenotyping Laboratory), which uses automation, robotics, AI and advanced imagery to connect genotype to phenotype and to translate discoveries into solutions for plant-based energy, chemicals, and materials

Serve as a primary Directorate contact and spokesperson within ORNL and externally

Serve as the primary liaison to DOE’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) and other federal sponsors, shaping and advancing ORNL’s research portfolios to align with DOE and national priorities

Engage with stakeholders across other DOE and federal sponsors, industry, academia, and international partners to advance innovations and their translation into solutions with national and global impact

Lead and contribute to the development of strategic initiatives such as regional resilience, AI-enabled automation and discovery to advance biotechnology, and quantum S&T. With other ORNL executive leaders, advance ORNL’s S&T strategy and the role of facilities in the strategy, including the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), the Center for Nanophase Materials Science (CNMS), Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF), and the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF)

Catalyze new large-scale, multi-institutional research programs and partnerships across universities, industry, and other national laboratories

Drive employee performance management and assessment processes for the entire organization. Perform line management of BESSD leadership, identify key organization staffing needs, and develop scientists to be future leaders and mentors

Create and nurture a supportive environment through championing the ORNL values of impact, teamwork, safety, integrity and service

Qualification

PhD in Biological ScienceExecutive Management ExperienceScientific Strategy DevelopmentStakeholder EngagementDOE Programs

Required

International recognition and demonstrated accomplishments as a leading PhD scientist and visionary, with a track record of advancing biological, environmental, and/or Earth system science and technology

At least 5 years of demonstrated executive management experience, including developing and leading large complex and multidisciplinary research organizations, programs and/or user facilities

Demonstrated experience of successfully developing, implementing, and executing scientific strategy with engagement from critical stakeholders

Evidence of successful engagement with key stakeholders, program sponsors, internal staff and partners

Familiarity with DOE programs, particularly the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required

Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment

Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment