Brookhaven National Laboratory

Physics Division Director

Brookhaven National Laboratory$160K — $200K *
Upton, NY 11973In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in nuclear or particle physics or closely related discipline.
  • 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in relevant research and operations.
  • 8+ years of leadership and supervisory experience within a DOE lab or equivalent.
  • Proven success in managing large scientific organizations and programs.
  • Demonstrated ability to engage with senior leadership and external stakeholders.
  • Internationally recognized achievements in nuclear/particle physics research.
  • Excellent communication skills across diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

  • Lead scientific, technical, operational, and strategic initiatives for the Division.
  • Establish and monitor priorities and governance processes for safe operations.
  • Develop and communicate a long-term vision that promotes excellence.
  • Manage and execute annual operating and project budgets over $100M.
  • Foster effective collaboration within the Division and across other laboratory teams.
  • Represent the Division with DOE officials and external partners.
  • Contribute to leadership team discussions on resource allocation and planning.
  • Promote an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive employee benefits program.
  • Commitment to employee success and equitable compensation.
Full Job Description
Position Description
The Physics Division Director serves as a key member of the Fundamental Interactions and Particles (FIP) Directorate leadership team and is responsible for leading the Division in fulfilling the DOE mission. The Division comprises more than 200 scientists, engineers, technicians, and other professional and support staff, with an annual budget of over $100 million. The Division Director reports to the Associate Laboratory Director for the FIP Directorate and works closely with the EIC Project leadership, other divisions within FIP, Laboratory management, user communities, and funding agencies to ensure the successful delivery of the DOE Office of High Energy and Nuclear Physics mission.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Provide overall scientific, technical, operational, and strategic leadership for the Division, ensuring alignment with the strategic objectives of the Laboratory, the FIP Directorate, the DOE mission.  
  • Establish and monitor organizational priorities, performance expectations, governance processes, organizational structure, and management systems that enable safe operations and effective execution of Division responsibilities.
  • Develop, communicate and implement a strategic long-term vision for the Division that advances scientific and operational excellence.
  • Develop, manage, forecast and execute annual operating and project budgets exceeding $100M.
  • Ensure effective collaboration among the Division and with the EIC Project leadership, other divisions within FIP, and other Lab scientific and operational organizations to successfully deliver Division scope, technical objectives and project/program commitments.
  • Represent the Division and the Laboratory in interactions with Department of Energy officials, Laboratory leadership, advisory committees, user communities, collaborating institutions, professional organizations, and external stakeholders.
  • Serve as a member of the FIP Directorate leadership team and contribute to Directorate priorities, resource allocation, organizational initiatives, and long-term planning.
  • Maintain and develop a strong scientific and technical workforce for the programs in the Division, and promote a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that encourages diverse perspectives and supports organizational excellence.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Ph.D. in nuclear or particle physics, or a closely related scientific or technical discipline.
  • Minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience in nuclear or particle physics research and operation programs, including at least eight (8) years of leadership, management, and supervisory experience within a DOE laboratory, or equivalent research or technical organization.
  • Demonstrated success leading and managing large, mission-driven scientific research and operations organizations, including responsibility for strategic planning, workforce management, fiscal oversight, and organizational performance.
  • Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior Laboratory leadership, DOE sponsors, advisory and review committees, partner institutions, and external stakeholders.
  • Internationally recognized accomplishments in nuclear or particle physics research and successful history managing complex large-scale scientific and technical initiatives.
  • Excellent verbal, written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex scientific and organizational issues to diverse audiences and prepare executive-level presentations, reports, and strategic recommendations.
  • Demonstrated commitment to working safely, acting ethically, and taking personal accountability for operational excellence.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science programs, policies, and the mission, operations, governance, and management of National Laboratories and large user facilities.
  • Experience in supporting large scientific collaborations and user communities.
Other Information:
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
  • This is an on-site position in Upton, NY.
  • For consideration, please apply by September 9, 2026.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. 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

About Brookhaven National Laboratory

Brookhaven National Laboratory is a research and development laboratory that conducts research in various fields, including physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, and environmental science. The laboratory is operated by Brookhaven Science Associates, a partnership between Stony Brook University and Battelle Memorial Institute. Brookhaven National Laboratory is located in Upton, New York, and has over 3,000 employees. The laboratory was founded in 1947 and is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.
Learn more about Brookhaven National Laboratory
Size
3,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1947

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