Associate Lab Director, Data & Computational Science

Jefferson Lab; Newport News (VA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time-off and Leave Programs

401(k) Plan - 9% Lab Contribution

Flexible Work Arrangements

Tuition Assistance and Training Programs

Job summary

Jefferson Lab is looking for an Associate Laboratory Director for Data & Computational Science who will provide strategic leadership for the High-Performance Data Facility. Responsibilities include overseeing major divisions, ensuring operational success, and fostering user support for scientific breakthroughs.

The ideal candidate requires a Ph.D. and over 20 years of experience with a strong commitment to safety and integrity. Benefits include medical plans, a 401(k) with a 9% Lab contribution, and flexible work arrangements.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of international recognition in relevant field.
• 5+ years of executive management experience in research programs.
• Experience developing scientific strategies with stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the Data & Computational Science capability.
• Collaborate with HPDF Project Office for operations support.
• Develop user support mechanisms for scientific breakthroughs.

Skills

Leadership and management

Data and computational science expertise

Communication with stakeholders

Financial analysis

Safety commitment

Education

Ph.D.

Job description

What Your Job Will Be Like

The Associate Laboratory Director, Data & Computational Science (ALD, Data and Computational Science) provides strategic and operational leadership for the High-Performance Data Facility (HPDF) and the Laboratory’s data and computational science enterprise. This role is responsible for delivering world-class HPDF operations while advancing innovative research and development in scientific computing, data science, and AI-enabled discovery. The ALD, Data and Computational Science will oversee major divisions in scientific computing, scientific data, and the Data Office. In this role, the ALD, Data and Computational Science will be instrumental in positioning data and computation as foundational drivers of scientific excellence and innovation and enable the seamless integration of computation, theory, and experiment for a future multi‑purpose laboratory. A central focus of this position is leading the transition of HPDF from a major project to full operational status, ensuring its success as a premier DOE user facility. Through visionary leadership, strong partnerships, and disciplined execution, the ALD, Data and Computational Science will establish HPDF as a transformative capability that advances discovery, strengthens national scientific leadership, and delivers enduring impact for the Laboratory and its user community.

In This Job You Will

• Provide leadership and oversight to ensure the successful, reliable and safe operation of the Data & Computational Science capability with divisions in scientific computing and scientific data, and the data office.
• Collaborate with the HPDF Project Office to ensure support and execution of the HPDF DOE O 413.3b project and prepare for enduring operations of the HDPF capability and associate User Program.
• Develop mechanisms to support users to address critical research challenges, realize major scientific breakthroughs and develop cutting‑edge particle detectors.
• Assess the changing Data & Computational Science needs of the physics user community.
• Maintain strong and respectful relationships with the major computing sponsor, Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR).
• Lead division‑wide talent strategies by championing leadership development, robust succession planning, and continuous performance coaching.
• Meet milestones for ongoing projects, including HPDF.
• Serve as a member of the Directorate, sharing responsibility for the excellence in science and technology, operational excellence, and community engagement at TJNAF.
• Work with Directorate and Lab Director’s Office to identify and implement other Laboratory research priorities, including thorough strategic use of LDRD (Laboratory-Directed Research and Development).
• Create and nurture an environment that promotes and embraces a multi‑faceted workforce and champions the TJNAF values of impact, teamwork, safety, integrity and service.
• Provide Data & Computational Science perspectives on Laboratory‑Level decisions and key Laboratory committees.
• Lead self‑assessments, planning and tracking for Data & Computational Science elements associated with the Laboratory Agenda, Annual Laboratory Plan, and other performance tools.
• Implement management systems, operations, safety, compliance, and performance assessments across Data & Computational Science, using these systems to steward the capability.

Lead - Supervisory - Management

• Perform line management of the Data & Computational Science leadership, including Scientific Computing, Scientific Data, and the Data Office.
• Identify key organizational staffing needs, recruit and develop S&T staff to be future leaders/mentors.
• Lead and manage, through direct report and matrixed staff, the Scientific Computing and Scientific Data divisions and the Data Office.

Experience

• Required: 20 or more years International recognition and demonstrated accomplishments
• Required: 5 or more years Demonstrated executive management experience, including developing and leading large complex and multidisciplinary research programs and/or user facilities
• Required: Demonstrated experience of successfully developing, implementing, and executing scientific strategy with engagement from critical stakeholders
• Required: Experience communicating with key stakeholders, clients, program sponsors, internal staff, and the security/intelligence community
• Required: Proven commitment to safety and integrity
• Preferred: Track record of using data and computational science capabilities for scientific discovery

Education

• Required: Ph.D.

Education above the minimum may not be substituted for experience.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of data and computational science capabilities for scientific discovery.
• Ability to lead and manage complex technical scope.
• Ability to establish priorities, assess competing resource demands and make decisions that optimize performance.
• Familiarity with the Department of Energy.
• Proficiency in financial analysis and forecasting.
• 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.
• Commitment to safety, high standard of ethics, and integrity.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time-off and Leave Programs (Paid Parental, vacation, holidays, and sick leave)
• 401(k) Plan - 9% Lab Contribution; 100% vested
• Flexible Work Arrangements (Remote & Alternate Work Schedules available)
• Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs

SURATech, LLC manages and operates the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab). SURATech is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SURATech is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities (unless doing so will result in an undue hardship). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] or contact Human Resources by calling [phone] and selecting option 1 between 8 am – 5 pm EST to provide the nature of your request. Employment with SURATech is conditional upon DOE approval if at any time during your employment you are participating in a Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Program or Affiliated activity. Generally, such programs/activities include any foreign-state-sponsored attempt to acquire U.S.-funded scientific research through programs run or funded by the government that target scientists, engineers, students, academics, researchers, and entrepreneurs of all nationalities working or educated in the United States. This includes positions or appointments, both domestic and foreign, titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments whether or not remuneration is received and whether full-time, part-time or voluntary.