Associate Laboratory Director, Science, Engineering, and Innovation

Description

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), a multi-program U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory managed by Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA), is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader for the role of Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) in the newly established Science, Engineering, and Innovation (SEI) directorate. Focused on SRNL's strengths, this directorate will act as a cornerstone for innovation, leveraging the laboratory’s expertise in energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, fusion fuel cycle research, industrial and nuclear process science, and technology transfer. Moreover, it will cultivate a distinctive culture of entrepreneurship, translating scientific discoveries into practical solutions for some of the most pressing energy and security challenges facing the nation. The ALD will drive the advancement of science and technology, ensuring SRNL’s substantial contributions to both national and global progress, while actively collaborating with external partners to enhance innovation, research, and the practical application of scientific discoveries.

As a pivotal member of the Laboratory’s Senior Leadership Team, the ALD supports the Laboratory Director in achieving SRNL's mission through three key leadership roles: 1) crafting a compelling vision and strategic execution plan for the future and organizational momentum to improve our facilities and capabilities, 2) enhancing engagement and relationships with key stakeholders and sponsors, and 3) promoting staff professional growth while fostering a diverse and high-performance culture. The ALD will lead the development and implementation of a strategic R&D portfolio that bridges fundamental science, applied engineering, and innovation, supporting SRNL's core missions of national security, environmental stewardship, and energy resilience

Responsibilities

Lead interdisciplinary, innovative research and develop scientific strategies to maintain national and international prominence in areas such as fusion fuel cycle science, advanced manufacturing, digital engineering, energy infrastructure resilience (hydrogen, grid, nuclear systems), and industrial technology (cyber-physical systems, smart manufacturing).

Act as the executive steward for the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC) Facility, overseeing laboratory operations, facilities, capital, and equipment. Interface with major AMC partnerships, including Clemson, USC, South Carolina State, Georgia Tech, and UGA. Lead technology transfer and scale-up efforts across AMC and SRNL programs.

Collaborate with SRNL Program Managers and DOE Offices—Environmental Management (EM), the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Science (SC), Nuclear Energy (NE), and Electricity (OE)—to ensure science and technology research programs align with client needs and are effectively coordinated with division and program management.

Promote a culture of scientific excellence, safety, and innovation across disciplines.

Oversee SRNL’s technology commercialization activities including licensing, sponsored research, entrepreneurship programs, strategic partnerships, and innovation management. Expand collaborations with academia, industry, and government stakeholders.

Work closely with the Laboratory Director’s office on strategic priorities and Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) opportunities.

Build and mentor interdisciplinary teams, nurturing next-generation talent. Foster initiatives for employee development through mentoring, performance, and succession planning.

Strengthen SRNL’s intellectual foundation through diverse recruitment and early-career development.

Collaborate with other Associate Laboratory Directors on institutional research, operational priorities, and management initiatives to deliver high-impact science and engineering with notable achievements.

Maintain compliance with Laboratory policies, standards, procedures, and implement operational standards to meet the expectations of the Laboratory Agenda and other DOE performance metrics.

Develop research programs and strategic partnerships with other national laboratories, colleges and universities, other research institutions, and public and private corporations.

Act as the primary Directorate contact, representing the Directorate on Lab-Level committees, task forces, and working groups with a shared responsibility for the overall lab wide science and technology strategy.

Drive commercialization activities through directorate business plans and strategies, as well as collaboration with industries locally and throughout the region.

Implement management systems, operations, safety, compliance, and performance assessments across the entire Directorate, and serve on the Laboratory Leadership Team.

Manage programmatic funds and discretionary investments for research and program development, and act as steward for laboratory operations, facilities, capital, and equipment. Identify staffing and other resource requirements.

Advise leadership on research activities, program development, strategic initiatives, and associated operational risks and hazards.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. in an energy-related science or engineering discipline.

Minimum of 10 years of executive management experience in managing large, complex, interdisciplinary research programs.

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills across diverse teams.

Nationally recognized stature in energy science or engineering technology, with a proven ability to lead multidisciplinary science programs.

Proven expertise in developing, implementing, and executing scientific strategies with active stakeholder engagement, recognized as a leading expert and visionary in the fields of energy or engineering sciences.

U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Preferable experience with DOE’s Environmental Management, National Nuclear Security Administration, and Nuclear Energy offices.

For ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance, US Citizenship is Legally Required

Preferred Qualifications

Possession of Active DOE level Q clearance.