Uranium Chemistry, Application and Simulation Group Lead

Requisition Id 13708 

Overview:  

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

 

We are currently seeking qualified applicants for Group Leader for the Uranium Chemistry, Application and Simulation (UCAS) Group in the Materials Characterization and Modeling (MCM) Section within the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division (NND) of the National Security Sciences Directorate (NSSD) at ORNL. A key mission of the NND is delivery of research and development needed to enhance the protection of nuclear materials and fuel cycle technology and prevent the theft, diversion, and illicit use of those materials or technologies, while at the same time allowing for their peaceful use in the global arena. The division is responsible for a range of expertise, facilities, and equipment and applies these combined assets to address R&D and operational challenges related to nonproliferation, safeguards, treaty verification, counterproliferation, and global nuclear security. The division activities also play a vital role in implementation of national policy issues that strive to ensure global nuclear security. As part of our team, the successful candidate will lead the newly-formed UCAS Group comprised of staff who are recognized leaders focusing on research, development, and application of unit operation technologies related to uranium processing for nuclear nonproliferation with an emphasis on UF6. The group consists primarily of chemical engineers and chemists with expertise in nuclear material processing and nuclear material assessments. Specific roles and responsibilities for this position are provided below.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Develop a vision and implement a cohesive group capability strategy to ensure the success of new and ongoing research projects and applied technical support to position the group for future success.
• Develop and implement plans to enhance and use group capabilities and/or expand existing efforts.
• Develop, manage, and implement projects that provide valued and timely deliverables supporting nuclear nonproliferation missions.
• Assist staff in setting performance goals consistent with the group’s strategy and members’ long-term career goals.
• Provide feedback to address performance issues in a timely manner.
• Provide relevant input to assist the MCM Section Head with staff development while providing direct and impactful guidance to staff on a regular basis.
• Encourage staff to “think and dream big,” take appropriate risks in their work, and develop skills that will enable them to pursue new ideas, scientific passions, and research programs.
• Advance the reputation of UCAS group members and standing of the group through establishing collaborations, Professional Society leadership and involvement, and organization of technical events.
• Support group members by consistently reviewing technical products such as proposals, publications, and artifacts to ensure high quality and consistency with ORNL standards.
• Attract a quality, diverse pool of top candidates and hire staff members who are committed to world-class R&D and aspire to be the best in their field.
• Lead by example by exercising the principles in ORNL’s “Research Code of Conduct” as a guide for proposing, performing, and communicating research.
• Coach and mentor staff regarding ORNL's "Safe Conduct of Research" principles.
• Lead safety and quality sta