CIMS Group Leader - Senior R&D Staff

Requisition Id 11673 

 

Overview:

The Chemical Sciences Division (CSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) invites applications from outstanding senior scientists with exceptional leadership experience and skills in inorganic mass spectrometry for the position of Group Leader of our Chemical and Isotopic Mass Spectrometry (CIMS) Group. The Group Leader will be responsible for the day-to-day operation, management, and program development of the group and its R&D portfolio in the areas of chemistry, geochemistry, forensics, nuclear non-proliferation and national/international security with emphasis in the field of inorganic mass spectrometry and chemical separations and chemistry routines for the detection of ultra-trace analytes. The group’s focus areas are in the development of instrumentation and methodologies for high precision traceable methods for isotopics, elemental assays, and quantification of trace impurities in bulk, nuclear, and environmental matrices. This position resides in the Nuclear Analytical Chemistry (NAC) Section, CSD, Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at ORNL.

 

As the R&D Group Leader, you will lead a highly functional team of peers with the primary goal of pursuing global scientific leadership in the field of analytical sciences. This will include establishing relationships and writing proposals to develop new research focus areas and strengthen current programs and capabilities and to advance knowledge and/or technology in the analytical sciences. You will also lead research for the development of prototypes of analytical instruments and innovative devices for measurements as well as methodologies for mass spectrometry to address challenging analytical problems.

 

Other expectations of the Leader are to champion ORNL’s culture of scientific excellence within the group to continue to shape and scale up staff excellence and impact in R&D and projects. And, to continually improve on the group's quality systems for its analytical operations per its accreditation to ISO 17025. In this role, you will work closely with your line manager, the R&D Section Head, to implement the group’s scientific vision and establish capabilities that enable programs to excel.

 

Our ideal Group Leader will be a subject matter expert in material handling and isotopic/ assay analysis. We're also looking for someone to have some familiarity with inorganic mass spectrometry and protocols for working with radiological material.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop a vision and implement a cohesive group research strategy to ensure the success of new and ongoing research projects to position the group for future success.
• Participate/ lead in the initiation of new research directions and development of research proposals to contend for internal and external funding.
• Lead collaboration with other scientists and technical personnel in a fast-paced, flexible work environment.
• Attract a high quality, diverse pool of candidates and hire staff members who are committed to world-class R&D and aspire to be the best in their field.
• 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.
• Certify the technical quality of the group’s products and services.
• Provide relevant input to assist the R&D Section Head with staff development while providing direct and impactful mentorship to staff on regular basis.
• Lead by example by exercising the principles in ORNL’s “Research Code of Conduct” as a guide for proposing, performing, and communicating research.
• Lead ESH&Q by example and ensure all work is carried out safely, securely, and in compliance with ORNL policies, standards, and procedures.
• Advance the reputation of the group members and standing of the group as a whole through establishing collaborations, Professional Society leadership and involvement, and organization of technical events.
• Maintain effective communications concerning scientific efforts internal and external to the laboratory, including publication of results in peer-reviewed journals and presentation of results at scientific meetings.
• Travel will be required to brief sponsors, conduct field exercises, and attendance of scientific conferences.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by encouraging a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. with a minimum of six years relevant experience, a