ALD, Data and Computational Science

Jdgsearch; United States; On-site; USD 260,000 - 390,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision care plans

Flexible work arrangements

Relocation assistance

Tuition assistance

Annual performance bonus

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Job summary

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) seeks an Associate Laboratory Director, Data and Computational Science (ALD, DCS) to lead the data and computational science enterprise, overseeing Scientific Computing, Scientific Data, and the Data Office.

The role drives operations of the High-Performance Data Facility (HPDF) and collaborates with DOE ASCR and the user community for groundbreaking discoveries.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary research programs and user facilities.
• Ability to communicate with sponsors, stakeholders, internal staff, and security/intelligence communities.
• Proven track record of using data/computational science to enable scientific discovery.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to ensure safe, reliable operation of Data and Computational Science capabilities.
• Collaborate with HPDF Project Office to support implementation and transition to enduring operations.
• Develop mechanisms to address critical research challenges and enable major breakthroughs.
• Oversee staffing, leadership development, and performance management within Data and Computational Science.
• Engage with ASCR and other sponsors to align strategy and funded initiatives.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Data and computational science

Financial analysis & forecasting

Team development & coaching

Safety & ethics

Education

Ph.D. in a scientific discipline

Job description

Client

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory located in southeastern Virginia, dedicated to solving some of the most challenging scientific and engineering problems in nuclear physics and applied science and technology. Jefferson Lab is entering an exciting period of mission growth and is managed and operated by SURATech, LLC, a partnership between the Southwestern Universities Research Association (SURA) and Virginia Tech. At Jefferson Lab, staff champion cutting-edge science and operational excellence while shaping the future of discovery, working alongside top scientists and engineers from around the world unlocking the secrets of the visible universe. To learn more, view www.jlab.org.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Deputy Lab Director for Science and Technology / Chief Research Officer and serving as a member of the Lab's Tier 1 leadership team, the Associate Laboratory Director, Data and Computational Science (ALD, DCS) provides strategic and operational leadership for Jefferson Lab's data and computational science enterprise, including the Scientific Computing and Scientific Data divisions and the Data Office. This role is responsible for delivering world-class operations of the future High-Performance Data Facility (HPDF) while advancing innovative research and development in scientific computing, data science, and AI-enabled discovery.

The ALD, DCS will lead the transition of HPDF from a major DOE project to full operational status, ensuring its success as a premier DOE user facility. This position establishes data and computation as foundational drivers of scientific excellence and innovation, enabling the seamless integration of computation, theory, and experiments as Jefferson Lab grows into a multi-purpose laboratory. Through visionary leadership, strong partnerships with the DOE Office of Science's Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program and the broader research community, and disciplined execution, the ALD, DCS will establish HPDF as a transformative capability that advances discovery, strengthens national scientific leadership, and delivers enduring impact for the Lab and its user community.

Key Duties

• Provide leadership and oversight to ensure the successful, reliable, and safe operation of the Data and Computational Science capability, including the Scientific Computing and Scientific Data divisions and the Data Office.


• Collaborate with the HPDF Project Office to ensure support and execution of the HPDF project under DOE Order 413.3B and prepare for enduring operations of the HPDF capability and its associated User Program.


• Develop mechanisms that help users address critical research challenges and realize major scientific breakthroughs.


• Assess the evolving data and computational science needs of the physics user community.


• Maintain strong and respectful relationships with ASCR, the Lab's major computing sponsor.


• Serve as a member of the Directorate, sharing responsibility for excellence in science and technology, operational excellence, and community engagement at the Lab.


• Advance crosscutting Lab initiatives that combine unique capabilities across the Lab to accelerate Lab-wide scientific impact.


• Meet milestones for ongoing projects, including HPDF.


• Lead division-wide talent strategies by championing leadership development, robust succession planning, and continuous performance coaching.


• Drive employee performance management and assessment processes across the Data and Computational Science organization.


• Work with the Directorate and Lab Director's Office to identify and implement other Lab research priorities, including strategic use of Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD).


• Create and nurture an environment that promotes a multi-faceted workforce and champions the Lab's values of impact, teamwork, safety, integrity, and service.


• Provide Data and Computational Science perspectives on Lab-level decisions and key Lab committees.


• Lead self‑assessments, planning, and tracking for Data and Computational Science elements associated with the Lab Agenda, Annual Lab Plan, and other performance tools.


• Enhance postdoctoral and visitor programs and strategic engagement with university partners.


• Implement management systems, operations, safety, compliance, and performance assessments across Data and Computational Science, using these systems to steward the capability.


• Review corrective actions that have Lab-wide impacts, with particular emphasis on those documented and managed by tracking systems external to the Lab.


• Perform line management of the Data and Computational Science leadership, including Scientific Computing, Scientific Data, and the Data Office, and lead their staff through both direct reports and matrixed staff.


• Identify key organizational staffing needs and recruit and develop S&T staff to be future leaders and mentors.

Qualifications

• 20 or more years of international recognition and demonstrated accomplishments in the field; candidates with 15 or more years may also be considered if they bring broad experience and a strong, credible vision for the organization’s growth.


• 5 or more years of demonstrated executive management experience, including developing and leading large, complex, multidisciplinary research programs and/or user facilities.


• Demonstrated experience successfully developing, implementing, and executing scientific strategy with engagement from critical stakeholders.


• Experience communicating with key stakeholders, clients, program sponsors, internal staff, and the security/intelligence community.


• Track record of using data and computational science capabilities for scientific discovery, with extensive knowledge of such capabilities.


• Ability to lead and manage complex technical scope, establish priorities, assess competing resource demands, and make decisions that optimize performance.


• Strong familiarity with DOE.


• Strong analytical, writing, and speaking skills, with the ability to organize, analyze, and implement complex topics and initiatives with attention to detail.


• Capable of handling multiple competing priorities in a complex R&D environment.


• Proven commitment to safety, integrity, and high ethical standards.


• Proficiency in financial analysis and forecasting.

Education

Ph.D. in a scientific discipline required.

Location

Newport News, Virginia (on-site position with 5 days in the office)

Travel

Approximately 30% travel to national laboratories, conferences, DOE meetings and events, and other relevant sites is expected.

Citizenship

U.S. citizens preferred; U.S. permanent residents also eligible.

Clearance

Q Clearance would be valuable, but not required.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range is $260,104 to $390,156 per year. Compensation may vary based on a candidate's skills, experience, education, and/or certifications. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision care plans.


• Flexible spending accounts.


• Paid time off and leave programs, including paid parental leave, vacation, holidays, and sick leave.


• 401(k) plan with a 9% Lab contribution, 100% vested on Day 1.


• Flexible work arrangements, including alternate work schedules where available.


• Tuition assistance, training, and professional development programs.


• Eligible for an annual performance bonus (may be prorated based on date of hire).


• Relocation assistance available.

Jefferson Lab is located near the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay region, with access to nearby beaches, mountains, and all major metropolitan centers on the East Coast.

EEO Statement

JDG recognizes that SURATech, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a veteran, disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.