Research Director - National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI)

LBL • $197K — $246K *
San Francisco, CA 94112In-Person
Energy & Utilities
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of experience in research, leadership, or administration in water treatment or regional water planning
  • Familiarity with diverse water treatment technologies and regulatory policies
  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills
  • Proven ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
  • Experience in responsible management of federal funding and resources
  • Expertise in technology development and commercialization, especially in water sector

Responsibilities

  • Oversee and manage NAWI's research portfolio alongside project leads
  • Collaborate with the NAWI executive team on strategic initiatives
  • Foster relationships with stakeholders in water technologies and policy
  • Support the hiring and performance management of Topic Area Leads
  • Develop and manage annual research budgets within legal guidelines
  • Act as Principal Investigator for Berkeley Lab's directed research program

Benefits

  • Flexible work modality including remote options
  • Term appointment with potential for extension or conversion to a career position
  • Engagement in cutting-edge water innovation projects
  • Collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders in a vital industry
Full Job Description
The Earth and Environmental Sciences Area (EESA) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is seeking a Research Director to lead the research program for the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI). NAWI is a DOE Energy Innovation Hub dedicated to securing America's water future through innovative water treatment technologies and regional water planning.

The Research Director (RD) for NAWI is the research leader of the organization, with responsibility for developing and leading substantive research mostly through others. The RD works closely with the Executive Director (ED), the Topic Area Leads (TALs), and the relevant technology manager(s) from the Department of Energy (DOE) to maintain alignment with DOE's mission goals through its research portfolio. The RD ensures that NAWI's mission and vision are met through developing and leading a research portfolio with strong and compelling research projects that combine together to advance the sponsoring DOE office priorities. The RD works to build connections between projects and their personnel at national labs, academia, industry, and utilities. The RD skillfully works both in the research realm and the practitioner realm and connects the two, critically working to build trust between the people involved. The RD may also lead a new proposal to extend NAWI into the future beyond its current 2029 end date.

You will:
  • Oversee NAWI's research portfolio in close collaboration with Topic Area Leads and project leads.
  • Partner closely with the NAWI executive team, including the Executive Director, Operations Director, and Topic Area Leads.
  • Build strong relationships with researchers across water technologies, regional water systems, and related fields such as hydrology, economics, and public policy.
  • Support and oversee Topic Area Leads, including hiring and performance management.
  • Develop annual research budgets and manage resources responsibly within approved guidelines, laws, and regulations.
  • May serve as PI for a Berkeley Lab-directed research program integrating NAWI's research and application efforts.


We are looking for:
  • A minimum of 10 years' experience in research, leadership, research administration and/or practice in roles in water treatment technology development, regional water planning, or closely related fields is required.
  • Familiarity with a wide range of water treatment processes and technologies, water regulatory policy and law, and global trends in water resource development and management.
  • Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
  • Proven ability to collaborate with and lead teams with different expertise, skills, and backgrounds. Showing respect for differences and utilizing different perspectives and experience to build a stronger applied research program.
  • Track record of responsible stewardship of federal and other funds.
  • Critical competence in technology development and commercialization, regional water planning, leading change and motivational leadership:
    • Subject matter expertise: The RD is an experienced leader in research and/or practice with a thorough understanding of the water industry, water policy and planning, finance and business administration.
    • Technology development and commercialization: The RD is an experienced leader of teams that develop new technologies and has experience guiding technology development from early-stage applied research to commercial adoption and market and end user acceptance is preferred.
    • Leading through changes: The RD is an experienced change leader and can effectively guide individuals and stakeholders through changes in research direction, particularly based on user needs and research advances.
    • Motivational leadership: The RD is an inspirational and compelling communicator and able to clearly articulate and promulgate an organizational vision that engages multiple stakeholders. The RD models behaviors and values consistent with the vision and goals of the organization and proactively identifies positive contributions by team members throughout the organization.


Desired skills/knowledge:
  • An advanced degree in relevant disciplines is strongly desirable.


Additional information:
  • Appointment type: This is a 3 year, term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.NAWI's Research Director can be a part-time or full-time position depending on the incumbent's portfolio.
  • Salary range:
    The salary range for this position is $197,628 - $246,996, annualized based on full-time work. Final salary will depend upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience
  • Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
  • Work modality: Work may be performed on-site, hybrid,or remote.Remote workers are defined as individuals that reside in the United States, but 150 miles away from Berkeley Lab. There will be an expectation to intermittently conduct work, attend meetings and training on site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Work schedules are dependent on business needs. The primary location for this role is Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Work must be performed within the United States.


Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

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