Associate Lab Director, Fundamental Physics

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

Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs

Job summary

Jefferson Lab is seeking an Associate Laboratory Director for Fundamental Physics, responsible for strategic leadership in EIC operations and advancing physics programs. The role demands over 20 years of recognized accomplishments, with a focus on scientific excellence and effective stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. and significant executive management experience, fostering a diverse and impactful workforce committed to safety and integrity. Benefits include medical plans, flexible work arrangements, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• 20 or more years of international recognition and demonstrated accomplishments.
• 5 or more years of executive management experience.
• Experience communicating with key stakeholders, clients, program sponsors.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Fundamental Physics Directorate.
• Ensure world-class execution of EIC science and strengthen theoretical programs.
• Lead division-wide talent strategies and champion leadership development.

Skills

Extensive knowledge of particle facilities for scientific discovery

Ability to lead and manage complex technical scope

Strong analytical, writing, and speaking skills

Education

Ph.D.

Job description

At Jefferson Lab, you’ll champion cutting‑edge science and operational excellence while shaping the future of discovery.

What Your Job Will Be Like

The Associate Laboratory Director, Fundamental Physics (ALD, Fundamental Physics) provides strategic and operational leadership for Jefferson Laboratory’s Fundamental Physics Directorate, responsible for delivering Electron‑Ion Collider (EIC) operations and advancing non‑CEBAF physics programs. This role oversees Nuclear Theory, EIC Science, and High Energy Physics (HEP), driving a cohesive portfolio that advances discovery at the frontiers of nuclear and particle physics. The ALD, Fundamental Physics ensures world‑class execution of EIC science while strengthening theoretical and experimental programs that position the Laboratory as a leader in fundamental physics. Through visionary leadership and strong partnerships across DOE Office of Science and the global research community, the ALD, Fundamental Physics will expand Jefferson Laboratory’s impact in nuclear structure, QCD, and beyond‑Standard‑Model physics, while preparing the Laboratory for the next generation of flagship scientific programs.

In This Job You Will

• Advance scientific excellence and impact of the Fundamental Physics Capability, including implementation of the community‑driven Long‑Range Plan for Nuclear Science.
• Responsible for delivering EIC operations and non‑CEBAF physics and nuclear theory, including EIC Science and HEP Science.
• Advance cross‑cutting TJNAF initiatives that combine unique capabilities across the Laboratory to accelerate laboratory‑wide scientific impact.
• Serve as a member of the Directorate, sharing responsibility for the excellence in science and technology, operational excellence, and community engagement at TJNAF.
• Lead division‑wide talent strategies by championing leadership development, robust succession planning, and continuous performance coaching.
• 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 Fundamental Physics perspectives on Laboratory‑Level decisions and key Laboratory committees.
• Lead self‑assessments, planning and tracking for Fundamental Physics elements associated with the Laboratory Agenda, Annual Laboratory Plan, and other performance tools.
• Enhance postdoctoral, visitor programs and strategic engagement with university partners.
• Implement management systems, operations, safety, compliance, and performance assessments across the Fundamental Physics capability.
• Review corrective actions that have Laboratory‑wide impacts with particular emphasis on those that are documented and managed by tracking systems external to TJNAF.

Lead – Supervisory – Management

• Perform line management of the Fundamental Physics leadership, including Theory and EIC Physic Division Directors.
• 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 Theory and EIC Physics Division staff.

Experience

• Required: 20 or more years of international recognition and demonstrated accomplishments.
• Required: 5 or more years of 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.
• Preferred: Proven commitment to safety and integrity.
• Preferred: Track record of using particle facilities for scientific discovery.

Education

• Required: Ph.D.

Experience And Education Exchange

Education above the minimum may not be substituted for experience.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of particle facilities 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

Other Information

SURATech, LLC manages and operates the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. SURATech is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SURATech is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources by calling (757) 269‑7100.

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.