Head of Department of Nuclear Engineering (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

Location: Oak Ridge, TN, US, 37830 Company: Oak Ridge National Laboratory Requisition Id: 15910 Overview We are seeking a Section Head for the Fusion Energy Division. The Fusion Nuclear Science, Technology, and Engineering Section will establish the technical basis and provide cost-attractive solutions for fusion subsystems needed to enable a burning plasma and turn it into a viable commercial power plant. A primary focus will be the generation of the necessary technical foundations and development of innovative approaches for individual components and integrated systems that meet the rigors of the fusion environment while delivering robust, high-performance functionality. This section is comprised of the following groups: Blanket and Fuel Cycle: Provide the technical basis and solutions for closing the tritium fuel cycle and efficient fueling and power and particle extraction in future fusion systems. Fusion Technology: Develop innovative technology approaches for heating and controlling plasmas required for efficient operation of future fusion systems. Fusion Engineering: Develop advanced designs and engineering solutions for both individual components and integrated systems for future US and international fusion systems. Remote Systems: Provide creative solutions for remote monitoring, manipulation, and repair in extreme environments. Purpose Provide Research and Development (R&D) leadership to a thematic area of science and technology that integrates several thematically aligned R&D groups consistent with ORNL’s aspiration to be the world’s premier R&D institution and ORNL’s science culture. The Fusion Nuclear Science, Technology, & Engineering Section Head works closely with the Division Director and section Group Leaders to: Establish and implement the science and technology directions for the section Support the Group Leaders to ensure their success and the success of the R&D groups as world-recognized leaders in their fields Ensure staff members understand business opportunities Encourage technology transfer to the private sector Identify links to current and future funding opportunities and R&D programs Develop and implement consistent processes for the peer-review of proposals consistent with lab standards Model proper Environment, Safety, Security, Health, and Quality practices Ensure a work environment where every employee feels safe, heard, and appreciated Research and Impact Scientists/engineers/analysts significantly advance knowledge/technology in their field. Initiate, lead, and perform R&D programs and initiatives on an ongoing basis. Leadership Responsibilities Work with Division Director and Group Leaders to develop a vision and implement a strategy for world-leading science and technology. Represent the Director when unavailable and support Division operations. Establish, communicate, and measure critical metrics for success and impact; benchmark globally. Shape division, directorate, and laboratory research plans and investments. Build strong teams, leverage ORNL facilities/resources, and secure external expertise as needed. Assess and calibrate individual staff performance; provide timely feedback. Implement succession planning for critical positions. Ensure recruitment and hiring from a diverse pool of top candidates. Approve job offers. Drive staff promotions and professional development. Address staff concerns and disciplinary actions promptly. Lead by example using ORNL’s “Research Code of Conduct.” Review and maintain quality of publications and presentations. Employ best practices in meetings, visibility, budget monitoring, and proposal submission. Coach and mentor staff regarding Battelle’s “Safe Conduct of Research.” Model excellence in research, operations, and community engagement (“One ORNL”). Service Responsibilities Serve as direct supervisor for section Group Leaders. Mentor and transfer knowledge to staff, including senior staff. Assist Group Leaders and R&D staff with long-term career planning. Communicate staff achievements and changes transparently. Ensure staff engage in professional service and maintain a strong external professional presence. Support proposal development, budget preparation, and effective project management. Communicate importance of protecting proprietary/sensitive information and cybersecurity compliance. Recognize contributions of Group Leaders and Laboratory Space Managers to lab safety. Accountabilities To staff: Ensure quality, safety, and professional growth opportunities. To organization managers: Deliver world-leading science, safe operations, and high-quality products/services. To customers: Ensure quality of products and service. Authorities Develop vision and implement strategies for world-leading science and technology. Hold Group Leaders accountable for performance. Ensure safe and effective operations. Hire Group Leaders. Basic Qualifications PhD with 12+ years relevant experience, or MS with 16+ years, or BS with 20+ years. Demonstrated experience leading R&D teams. Familiarity with fusion technology and requirements for a fusion power plant. Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy security clearance (US Citizenship required). Preferred Qualifications Recognized leader in fusion technology with broad understanding of nuclear science and engineering challenges for future fusion power plants. Ability to coordinate with internal/external research staff and sponsors to develop actionable research plans. Capability to coordinate activities across multiple research groups towards common goals. Special Requirements Visa sponsorship is not available. Position requires ability to obtain DOE clearance; designated Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) position. WSAP positions require pre-placement drug test and participation in ongoing random drug testing. About ORNL A U.S. DOE Office of Science national laboratory with an 80-year legacy. Over 7,000 employees, fostering diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Competitive pay and benefits including medical, retirement, flexible work hours, on-site amenities. Additional benefits: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Pension, Life Insurance, Disability, Vacation/Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance, Employee Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, Employee Discounts. Generous relocation packages available for domestic and international moves. #LI-DC1 This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days and close once a qualified candidate is identified/hired. Accepted file formats: Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB. Third-party vendor resumes will not be accepted. Equal Employment Opportunity ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

Location: Oak Ridge, TN, US, 37830
Company: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Requisition Id: 15910

Overview

We are seeking a Section Head for the Fusion Energy Division. The Fusion Nuclear Science, Technology, and Engineering Section will establish the technical basis and provide cost-attractive solutions for fusion subsystems needed to enable a burning plasma and turn it into a viable commercial power plant.

A primary focus will be the generation of the necessary technical foundations and development of innovative approaches for individual components and integrated systems that meet the rigors of the fusion environment while delivering robust, high-performance functionality.

This section is comprised of the following groups:

Blanket and Fuel Cycle: Provide the technical basis and solutions for closing the tritium fuel cycle and efficient fueling and power and particle extraction in future fusion systems.
Fusion Technology: Develop innovative technology approaches for heating and controlling plasmas required for efficient operation of future fusion systems.
Fusion Engineering: Develop advanced designs and engineering solutions for both individual components and integrated systems for future US and international fusion systems.
Remote Systems: Provide creative solutions for remote monitoring, manipulation, and repair in extreme environments.

Purpose

Provide Research and Development (R&D) leadership to a thematic area of science and technology that integrates several thematically aligned R&D groups consistent with ORNL’s aspiration to be the world’s premier R&D institution and ORNL’s science culture.

The Fusion Nuclear Science, Technology, & Engineering Section Head works closely with the Division Director and section Group Leaders to:

Establish and implement the science and technology directions for the section
Support the Group Leaders to ensure their success and the success of the R&D groups as world-recognized leaders in their fields
Ensure staff members understand business opportunities
Encourage technology transfer to the private sector
Identify links to current and future funding opportunities and R&D programs
Develop and implement consistent processes for the peer-review of proposals consistent with lab standards
Model proper Environment, Safety, Security, Health, and Quality practices
Ensure a work environment where every employee feels safe, heard, and appreciated

Research and Impact

Scientists/engineers/analysts significantly advance knowledge/technology in their field.
Initiate, lead, and perform R&D programs and initiatives on an ongoing basis.

Leadership Responsibilities

Work with Division Director and Group Leaders to develop a vision and implement a strategy for world-leading science and technology.
Represent the Director when unavailable and support Division operations.
Establish, communicate, and measure critical metrics for success and impact; benchmark globally.
Shape division, directorate, and laboratory research plans and investments.
Build strong teams, leverage ORNL facilities/resources, and secure external expertise as needed.
Assess and calibrate individual staff performance; provide timely feedback.
Implement succession planning for critical positions.
Ensure recruitment and hiring from a diverse pool of top candidates. Approve job offers.
Drive staff promotions and professional development.
Address staff concerns and disciplinary actions promptly.
Lead by example using ORNL’s “Research Code of Conduct.”
Review and maintain quality of publications and presentations.
Employ best practices in meetings, visibility, budget monitoring, and proposal submission.
Coach and mentor staff regarding Battelle’s “Safe Conduct of Research.”
Model excellence in research, operations, and community engagement (“One ORNL”).

Service Responsibilities

Serve as direct supervisor for section Group Leaders.
Mentor and transfer knowledge to staff, including senior staff.
Assist Group Leaders and R&D staff with long-term career planning.
Communicate staff achievements and changes transparently.
Ensure staff engage in professional service and maintain a strong external professional presence.
Support proposal development, budget preparation, and effective project management.
Communicate importance of protecting proprietary/sensitive information and cybersecurity compliance.
Recognize contributions of Group Leaders and Laboratory Space Managers to lab safety.

Accountabilities

To staff: Ensure quality, safety, and professional growth opportunities.
To organization managers: Deliver world-leading science, safe operations, and high-quality products/services.
To customers: Ensure quality of products and service.

Authorities

Develop vision and implement strategies for world-leading science and technology.
Hold Group Leaders accountable for performance.
Ensure safe and effective operations.
Hire Group Leaders.

Basic Qualifications

PhD with 12+ years relevant experience, or MS with 16+ years, or BS with 20+ years.
Demonstrated experience leading R&D teams.
Familiarity with fusion technology and requirements for a fusion power plant.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy security clearance (US Citizenship required).

Preferred Qualifications

Recognized leader in fusion technology with broad understanding of nuclear science and engineering challenges for future fusion power plants.
Ability to coordinate with internal/external research staff and sponsors to develop actionable research plans.
Capability to coordinate activities across multiple research groups towards common goals.

Special Requirements

Visa sponsorship is not available.
Position requires ability to obtain DOE clearance; designated Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) position.
WSAP positions require pre-placement drug test and participation in ongoing random drug testing.

About ORNL

A U.S. DOE Office of Science national laboratory with an 80-year legacy.
Over 7,000 employees, fostering diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
Competitive pay and benefits including medical, retirement, flexible work hours, on-site amenities.
Additional benefits: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Pension, Life Insurance, Disability, Vacation/Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance, Employee Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, Employee Discounts.
Generous relocation packages available for domestic and international moves.

#LI-DC1

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days and close once a qualified candidate is identified/hired.

Accepted file formats: Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB. Third-party vendor resumes will not be accepted.

Equal Employment Opportunity

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

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