Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Fuel Cycle Science and Technology Division Director

Oak Ridge National Laboratory$130K — $180K *
Energy & Utilities
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Advanced technical degree in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or related field.
  • 15-20 years of proven R&D leadership experience.
  • Track record of scientific productivity through lead-authored publications.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Q clearance, requiring US citizenship.
  • Experience managing teams at group or division levels.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and evolve the FCSTD strategy for advanced nuclear fuel cycles.
  • Serve as the primary programmatic liaison with DOE-NE offices.
  • Advance scientific excellence via productivity, publications, and external engagement.
  • Grow staff expertise to meet nuclear fuel cycle development needs.
  • Approve staff proposals ensuring alignment with FFESD strategy.
  • Oversee a workforce development program for diverse, high-quality staff.
  • Foster an inclusive workplace environment for staff success.

Benefits

  • Generous relocation package for domestic and international moves.
  • Support for workplace environment that values impact, integrity, teamwork, safety, and service.
Full Job Description
Requisition Id 16603

Overview:

We are seeking a motivated and capable leader to serve as Division Director of the Fuel Cycle Science and Technology Division at ORNL. Reporting to and working closely with the Associate Lab Director (ALD) of the Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate (FFESD), the Division Director is responsible for advancing ORNL capabilities and interests in supporting advanced nuclear fuel cycles. ORNL, with FFESD at the lead, has world-class capabilities spanning nuclear fuel fabrication, advanced characterization, post-irradiation characterization, design and deployment of irradiation tests fielded in the High Flux Isotope Reactor and companion facilities, actinide chemistry, separations processes, used fuel handling, transportation, and nuclear waste forms. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and executing a vision that brings together capabilities from across ORNL to deliver technical understanding and solutions that address emergent needs of nuclear fuel qualification, licensing, back end options, fuel cycle analysis and domestic nuclear fuel cycle strategy.

Leaning on a long, rich history in nuclear R&D, ORNL remains a key innovator and contributor with an extensive set of core strengths residing in the Fuel Cycle Science and Technology Division (FCSTD), and throughout the Lab. In addition to a diverse set of research and development (R&D) capabilities that are solving the most complicated aspects of nuclear energy development, ORNL has multiple partnerships with private companies in the development and execution of key components of their technology roadmaps. The DOE Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) are key sponsors of FCSTD. The Director will be responsible for key interfaces and strategy to capture and execute programs supported by these and other DOE offices. The incumbent will be responsible for ideating, developing, and completing a multidimensional R&D program that motivates, drives, and supports the nation's nuclear energy fuel cycle needs. This will include foundational R&D programs targeting rapid advances in the underlying science and technology, translational R&D that converts this knowledge to solutions, and supportive R&D that provides subject matter expertise to interested industry partners. Developing and adjusting the appropriate mix of these programs as well as the necessary skill mix will be a key responsibility for the FCST Director.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:
  • Develop, and as necessary evolve, FCSTD strategy for support of advanced nuclear fuel cycles working closely with the FFESD ALD, peer FFESD division directors, and leaders in other ORNL organizations.
  • Serve as primary programmatic interface with appropriate DOE-NE offices, working closely with FFESD ALD, FFESD Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Director, and peer FFESD division directors to ensure consistent, effective communication on key matters
  • Advance the scientific excellence of FCSTD through scientific productivity, program impact, publications, intellectual property development, and engagement of staff in external organizations.
  • Grow capabilities and staff expertise as needed to support current and future nuclear fuel and fuel cycle development needs
  • Review and approve staff proposals to ensure scope-schedule-budget alignment as well as work is consistent with FFESD strategy
  • Oversee effective workforce development program that attracts and retains diverse, high-quality staff.
  • Ensure a vibrant, inclusive workplace environment in which all staff can succeed
  • Collaborate with management peers to assist the FFESD ALD in defining and implementing strategic programmatic R&D missions for FFESD and the Laboratory.
  • Complete line management responsibilities including supervision of group leaders, budget and business planning, salary planning, staff recruitment and development, employee relations, and performance management.
  • Serve as the division work authority, striving to implement a culture within the workplace that is attentive to the identification of hazards and adaptable to providing controls and processes to address the hazards.
  • Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.

Basic Qualifications:
  • An advanced technical degree Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or a related field of study with 15-20 years of proven experience.
  • Evidence of prior successful experience in leading R&D teams.
  • Scientific productivity proven through a record of lead-authored publications
  • The ability to obtain and maintain a Q clearance which requires US citizenship.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • PhD in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or a related field of study.
  • Management of line organization at the group or division level (or equivalent).
  • Demonstrated experience in developing effective teams with significant contributions from individuals/groups outside direct management control.
  • Hands-on experience in working in research partnerships, either through research participation or coordination role.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with a broad spectrum of people and issues in a fast-paced R&D environment.
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently in conceptualizing, initiating, and evaluating research opportunities.
  • Ability to function well in a dynamic and changing research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to constantly evolving needs.


Desirable Qualifications:
  • Experience developing or coordinating DOE-funded research programs and/or similar venture-capital-driven industries.
  • Proven track record to establish, nurture, and execute on technical partnerships with external participants.


Special Requirements:
  • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.


Relocation: Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.

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This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

About Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is a science and technology national laboratory managed for the United States Department of Energy (DOE) by UT-Battelle. ORNL is the largest science and energy national laboratory in the Department of Energy system by size and by annual budget. ORNL conducts research and development activities in a variety of scientific and technical disciplines. ORNL's scientific programs focus on materials, neutron science, energy, high-performance computing, systems biology and national security. ORNL partners with other national laboratories, universities and industry to solve complex problems and transfer knowledge and technology. ORNL is home to several of the world's most powerful supercomputers, including Summit, the world's most powerful supercomputer as of November 2018.
Learn more about Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Size
5,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1943

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