Job Information
Los Alamos National Laboratory Physics Division Leader (R&D Manager 6) in Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
R&D Manager 6 ($192,100 - $351,800)
Reporting to the Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) for Physical Sciences, the Physics Division Leader (DL) will work closely with the ALD to provide leadership, vision, strategic and tactical planning, and management for high quality research and development across the Physics Division. The DL position requires customer service orientation, demonstrated leadership qualities, and the ability to interact effectively at all levels. The successful candidate will be responsible for the scientific and technical leadership and management of the Division's staff, activities, and facilities, nurturing an intellectual environment conducive to scientific research, development, and innovation that retains the highest caliber scientific staff. The DL will be responsible for ensuring a healthy, safe, and secure working environment, enabling a psychologically safe environment, as well as operational excellence across the diverse scientific facilities in Physics Division. The DL will implement all applicable safety, environment, security, and quality, compliance and administrative policies and procedures. Additionally, the DL will be responsible for maintaining effective working relationships with Physics Division leadership, other Physical Sciences Directorate leaders, and leaders in all other Directorates with which Physics Division is a customer or partner.
This visionary leader will lead and manage the Laboratory's focal point for applied and fundamental experimental physics research with more than 230 researchers and staff executing a portfolio of over $100M per year. The organization operates the proton radiography facility, the Lujan Center, the Weapons Neutron Research Facility, and the Ultra-Cold Neutron Facility at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). The proton radiography facility is a high explosive firing site and will execute dynamic plutonium experiments beginning in 2025. The Lujan Center provides cutting-edge neutron-based material science research, and the Weapons Neutron Research Facility provides nuclear physics data for the weapons program, criticality safety, basic research, and industrial applications. With over 500 users executing work at these facilities each year, an emphasis on operational excellence is paramount. Physics Division has a significant role in the execution and diagnostics for both subcritical experiments at the NNSS and high-energy density experiments at the NIF and Omega facilities. In addition, Physics Division plays a leading role in neutrino experiments executed at Fermilab, heavy-ion experiments at the RHIC Facility at Brookhaven, and neutrino experiments executed in the Gran Sasso mine in Italy. The Division has strong national and international collaborations with academia, industry, and other national laboratories. In addition to technical leadership and management, the division leader will be expected to develop personnel, recruit and retain critical skills in the workforce, control costs, and support diversity, inclusion, belonging and equity, Environment, Safety, Health and Quality (ESH&Q), security, and community relations.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Significant record of technical leadership in physical sciences including experience in leading broad, complex organizations or programs with a strong record of advocacy and innovation and a commitment to scientific excellence.
Experience in developing and implementing strategies to foster science and build technical capability, develop research programs, and improve technical infrastructure and facilities.
Proven record of attracting, evaluating, mentoring, developing, motivating, and retaining diverse, creative, and talented people into a technical organization.
Integrity, the ability to establish trust, commitment to scientific and technical excellence, delivery on commitments and operational effectiveness.
Demonstrated experience in management of an organization or program conducting research in the physical sciences including managing budgetary resources, guiding and growing large research efforts, and engaging with technical leadership to evaluate and resolve institutional issues.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to interact with all levels of personnel and customers; and strong teaming skills.
Demonstrated commitment and experience in assuring a healthy, safe and secure working environment and successful management of high output scientific facilities requiring stringent environmental, safety and health standards.
Ability to obtain a Q-clearance, which typically requires US citizenship.
Education/Experience: This position requires a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in science or engineering and 15 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Ph.D. In Physics or a related discipline and experience in technical areas that are relevant to the mission of the Division are preferred.
Desired Qualifications :
Knowledge of the experimental capabilities in physical sciences across the nation's nuclear weapons complex and the DOE National Laboratory network.
Knowledge of the Physics Division technical and research portfolio and an understanding of how the portfolio supports LANL's national security mission.
Knowledge of external funding agencies (DOE, NNSA, DoD, DHS, etc.), including significant experience and engagement with programmatic sponsors (programmatic interaction, strategy development, and/or change of station).
Experience and demonstrated success in managing change; experience leading during times of significant change, mergers, acquisitions, or contract experience.
Experience in the successful management of complex projects
Ability to obtain an SCI clearance
Work Location : The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position commitment : Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
Dental and vision insurance
Free basic life and disability insurance
Paid childbirth and parental leave
Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
Onsite gyms and wellness programs
Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements : To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
New-Employment Drug Test : The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position : Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants : Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program : Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity : Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.