Director, Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences

Requisition Id 13895 

Overview:  

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks an outstanding leader for the position of Director of the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) (cnms.ornl.gov), which is a US Department of Energy Office of Science user facility, and a Division in the Physical Science Directorate, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The CNMS user facility is one of five DOE Nanoscale Science Research Centers (NSRCs) and emphasizes research across a diverse spectrum of nanoscience, including electron and scanning probe microscopies, functional and chemical imaging, atomic-scale manipulation, 3D nanofabrication, macromolecular materials, 2D nanomaterials, and functional characterization, with a strongly integrated effort in theory/modeling/simulation that spans all areas of work. CNMS division benefits from strong interactions with ORNL's other facilities, such as the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), and the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF) as well as other divisions at ORNL. CNMS includes unsurpassed capabilities to synthesize, characterize, and understand nanomaterials as well as world-leading staff.

 

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 7,000 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.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

The CNMS Division Director role provides a unique opportunity for a highly motivated leader to shape the future direction of an exceptional research program and cutting-edge user facility. The Director’s responsibilities include:

• Formulating and leading a forefront nanoscience research effort that builds on the expertise within CNMS and is aligned with DOE priorities and the needs of future users
• Implementing a vibrant and productive user program that is integrated with the in-house research program, is differentiated from the other DOE NSRCs, and enables growth in user access and diversity
• Driving a strategic vision and future strategy for both the user facility and a division strategy that is aligned with directorate and laboratory priorities and continuously elevates the expertise, opportunities, unique capabilities, and impact of the science
• Creating a stimulating environment for all CNMS staff members (research staff, technical staff, technicians, postdocs, and support staff) and for a broad community of users
• Acting as the direct contact to program managers in DOE’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Scientific User Facilities Division, and being responsive to all requests from DOE
• Managing all CNMS resources, including ~100 staff, world-leading instrumentation, organizational burden funds, and space
• Managing the user facility budget and promoting funding from other sources, such as other DOE offices and agencies, in alignment with priorities of the Division.
• Ensuring the safety of all CNMS members and the safety of users; managing and enhancing a world-leading safety culture.
• Creating a culture of equality, diversity, staff engagement, and high ethical standards

 

Basic Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field
• A minimum of fifteen years of professional research experience beyond the doctorate in academia, industry, or a national laboratory
• At least five years of experience leading multi-disciplinary research groups, programs, or organizations
• A distinguished record of research achievement, as evidenced by scholarly publications, patents, and funded research