To support these newly established organizations, Brookhaven is recruiting two Deputy for Operations leaders who will play a critical role in building and leading the operational foundation of these directorates. These positions will partner closely with Division Directors and the Directorate Chief Operating Officers (DCOOs) to establish operational excellence, strengthen organizational effectiveness, integrate Laboratory support functions, and ensure the safe, secure, compliant, and efficient execution of the Laboratory's scientific mission from the ground up.
Application Note: Brookhaven National Laboratory is recruiting for four Deputy for Operations positions: two for the Innovation, Science & Security (ISS) Directorate and two for the Fundamental Interactions and Particles (FIP) Directorate (one supporting Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) technical programs and the other supporting both the Physics Division and the Technical Division). Please indicate in your cover letter which position(s) you would like to be considered for. Candidates interested in multiple opportunities are encouraged to indicate that in their cover letter. For consideration, please apply by September 2, 2026.
Position Summary
Reporting to the applicable Division Director and working in close partnership with the Directorate Chief Operating Officer (DCOO), the Deputy for Operations serves as the senior operational leader for the Division. The position is responsible for planning, coordinating, executing, and continuously improving operational programs that enable the Division's scientific, engineering, technical, and research mission. The Deputy for Operations translates Directorate priorities, Laboratory management systems, and institutional requirements into effective Division business processes and operating practices while integrating operations, infrastructure, business management, scientific programs, and Laboratory support functions.
Accountability
Administratively accountable to the applicable Division Director for day-to-day operational leadership, organizational performance, resource management, and execution of Division priorities. Functionally accountable to the Directorate Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) for implementing Directorate operational policies, management systems, operational initiatives, assurance activities, performance reporting, and institutional requirements.
Role Assignment
The Deputy for Operations will be assigned to support Brookhaven's science divisions within either the Fundamental Interactions and Particles (FIP) Directorate or the Innovation, Science & Security (ISS) Directorate. While all Deputy for Operations positions share common operational leadership responsibilities, each role supports a unique scientific and technical mission.
Depending on assignment, responsibilities may include support for:
Physics & Accelerator Operations
- Accelerator operations and scientific user facilities
- Physics research programs, detector development, and experimental operations
- Scientific scheduling, maintenance outages, startup and shutdown planning
- Accelerator reliability, operational readiness, and research infrastructure
Technical & Engineering Operations
- Engineering and technical organizations
- Technical laboratories, fabrication and assembly facilities
- Engineering support functions and technical project execution
- Research infrastructure supporting major scientific initiatives, including the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC)
Research, Technology, & Mission Operations
- Multidisciplinary scientific research, technology development, and mission-focused programs
- Specialized laboratories, experimental facilities, instrumentation, and research infrastructure
- Operational integration of scientific, technical, and programmatic activities across diverse research portfolios
- Resource, infrastructure, and capability planning supporting emerging research priorities and technology development
- Research programs and partnerships spanning fundamental science, applied research, energy, environmental, and national security missions
Key Responsibilities
- Implement Directorate operational policies, governance, standards, and management systems within the Division.
- Develop and maintain Division operating procedures, business processes, and operational practices.
- Lead operational planning across scientific programs, engineering activities, laboratories, facilities, infrastructure, user operations, maintenance, and technical projects, as applicable.
- Provide integrated operational leadership across a diverse portfolio of scientific, technical, and research programs, aligning people, facilities, infrastructure, resources, and business processes to enable effective mission execution.
- Partner with scientific and technical leadership to translate evolving research priorities into operational strategies, capabilities, and resource plans that support both fundamental research and technology development.
- Enable the safe, secure, compliant, and efficient operation of specialized laboratories, research facilities, experimental capabilities, and technology development environments supporting multidisciplinary programs.
- Coordinate operational planning and execution across programs with diverse sponsors, partners, and mission requirements, ensuring appropriate integration of Laboratory systems, institutional resources, and external commitments.
- Strengthen organizational integration and operational effectiveness across multidisciplinary teams by identifying shared capabilities, infrastructure needs, operational risks, and opportunities for collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Ensure operational readiness, reliability, safety, quality, compliance, and mission execution.
- Identify operational risks, implement mitigation strategies, and drive continuous improvement.
- Develop and execute Division self-assessment activities aligned with the Directorate assurance program.
- Monitor operational performance through metrics, dashboards, and reporting; oversee corrective actions following operational events.
- Lead operational planning for staffing, budgets, infrastructure, facilities, and resource allocation.
- Coordinate with ES&H, Facilities & Operations, Human Resources, Finance, Procurement, Information Technology, Quality Management, and other Laboratory support organizations.
- Serve as the principal operational advisor to the Division Director and a key operational partner to the DCOO.
- Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, operational excellence, change leadership, and organizational effectiveness.
- Collaborate with Deputy for Operations peers across Brookhaven to ensure integrated execution of Directorate and Laboratory priorities.
- Demonstrated commitment to working safely, acting ethically, and taking personal accountability for operational excellence
Examples of Division-Specific Responsibilities
Physics & Accelerator Operations
- Coordinate operational priorities across accelerator operations, scientific programs, user schedules, maintenance outages, and facility operations.
- Ensure operational readiness, reliability, and availability of accelerator facilities and supporting infrastructure.
- Partner closely with Physics and Accelerator leadership to optimize execution of scientific programs.
Technical & Engineering Operations
- Coordinate engineering organizations, technical laboratories, fabrication facilities, assembly areas, and engineering support functions.
- Support execution of engineering and technical projects through operational planning, resource coordination, and infrastructure management.
- Ensure operational readiness of technical facilities supporting scientific and engineering programs.
Research, Technology, & Mission Operations
- Provide operational leadership across multidisciplinary scientific research, technology development, and mission-driven programs.
- Partner with scientific and technical leadership to align operational capabilities, infrastructure, and business processes with evolving research priorities.
- Coordinate operational planning across specialized laboratories, research facilities, technology development activities, and institutional support organizations.
- Integrate resources, facilities, and operational services to support diverse research portfolios, external partnerships, and sponsor requirements.
- Strengthen organizational effectiveness by identifying opportunities for shared capabilities, operational integration, and continuous improvement across multidisciplinary programs.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in STEM, business, or a related field.
- 10+ years of leadership experience in organizations operating under formal conduct of operations (DOE, military, commercial nuclear, or similar).
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, including influencing across reporting relationships.
- Experience leading organizational change and continuous improvement.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a DOE National Laboratory or similarly complex research environment.
- Experience supporting scientific, engineering, technical, or accelerator operations.
- Depending on assignment, experience in one or more of the following is highly desirable:
- Accelerator operations and scientific user facilities
- Physics research and experimental programs
- Engineering organizations and technical laboratories
- Large-scale scientific construction or research infrastructure projects, including DOE project environments
- Q-level Access Authorization or ability to obtain one.
Application Note: Brookhaven National Laboratory is recruiting for four Deputy for Operations positions: two for the Innovation, Science & Security (ISS) Directorate and two for the Fundamental Interactions and Particles (FIP) Directorate (one supporting Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) technical programs and the other supporting both the Physics Division and the Technical Division). Please indicate in your cover letter which position(s) you would like to be considered for. Candidates interested in multiple opportunities are encouraged to indicate that in their cover letter. For consideration, please apply by September 2, 2026.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $184400 - $306100 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits ProgramBrookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory - view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act.
Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews.
As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM- Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program- Physical Protection Program.
