Associate Laboratory Director – Materials, Chemical and Computational Sciences

National Laboratory of the Rockies; Golden (CO); Hybrid; USD 249,000 - 448,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Pension benefits

403(b) employer match

Paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is seeking an Associate Laboratory Director for Materials, Chemical and Computational Sciences to lead the MCCS directorate, shaping its strategic vision and driving excellence in science and technology. The ALD will guide researchers, technicians, and operations to ensure safe, innovative, and high-impact energy research and applications.

As a member of the leadership team, you will oversee partnerships with DOE, industry, and academia, manage a $165M

Qualifications

• 15 years of relevant work experience including previous experience as a senior research leader at a large R&D organization.
• Successful track record developing and sustaining deep relationships with significant stakeholders, up to Board level.
• Experience working with, or understanding of, the Department of Energy or a similarly funded entity in a senior research management role.

Responsibilities

• Advance the institutional priorities and mission of the laboratory in collaboration with the leadership team.
• Collaborate with the Laboratory Director and senior leaders to advance the strategic research agenda and long-term mission.
• Prioritize R&D investments, facilities, and operations to optimize resources and safety while maximizing impact.
• Provide strategic and inspirational leadership for the MCCS directorate and align its portfolio with DOE and NLR priorities.
• Lead scientific and technical strategy, strengthening research quality and institutional capabilities.
• Build strategic partnerships with DOE, sponsors, industry, and academia.
• Develop talent, foster collaboration, and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Job description

Posting Title

Associate Laboratory Director – Materials, Chemical and Computational Sciences

Posting Title

Associate Laboratory Director – Materials, Chemical and Computational Sciences

Location

CO - Golden

Position Type

Regular

Hours Per Week

40

Working at NLR

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.

Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for energy systems research. NLR leads fundamental and applied research on energy technologies, systems integration, and infrastructure, with a focus on system performance, reliability, and integration of multiple energy sources and technologies. By fostering strategic partnerships, NLR accelerates energy innovation to market toward resilient systems that lower costs, bolster national security, and ensure abundant energy.

NLR is seeking a new Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) to lead our Materials, Chemical and Computational Sciences (MCCS) directorate. The ALD is responsible for providing inspirational leadership and direction to the directorate, shaping its strategic vision and driving excellence in science and technology. The MCCS directorate (https://www.nlr.gov/research/mcst) comprises 400 staff that executes over $165 million in annual research and development organized around three R&D centers – Computational Science, Materials Science, and Chemistry and Nanoscience as well as a Research Operations center.

The directorate is comprised of researchers, technicians and operational professionals focused on fundamental and applied experimental and computational research in energy innovation and critical minerals. This portfolio spans high-performance computing, simulation, and modeling; photovoltaics and solar energy conversion; membranes and separations; hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cells; fundamental materials science and chemistry of functional materials; nanoscience; materials discovery, synthesis, and development; advanced characterization, spectroscopy, microscopy, and imaging; energy storage; and reliability/durability.

In addition to the scientific leadership in the areas detailed above, the ALD is also responsible for aligning facility and infrastructure operations with the laboratory’s vision and strategy and for ensuring that research operations are conducted safely. The MCCS ALD oversees stewardship and spearheads innovation across four, soon-to-be five DOE-owned facilities, ensuring equipment and facilities are research ready and compliant with regulations and DOE requirements. Latest developments include the Energy Materials and Processing at Scale (EMAPS) facility which will expedite the translation of lab-scale innovations to market-relevant prototypes and industry adoption for advances in critical minerals and functional energy materials. EMAPS will integrate artificial intelligence, automation, and data science into a compute-first approach.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities

• The primary responsibility of the ALD, as a member of the NLR leadership team, is to advance the institutional priorities and mission of the laboratory in collaboration with other NLR Leadership Team members and senior staff.
• Collaborate with the Laboratory Director, Deputy Laboratory Director for Science & Technology, and other senior leaders to advance NLR’s strategic research agenda and long-term mission.
• Participate with the Leadership team to prioritize R&D investments, facilities, infrastructure, and research operations to optimize resources, ensure safety and to maximize scientific an applied energy institutional impact.
• Provide strategic and inspirational leadership for the MCCS directorate, aligning its scientific portfolio, capabilities, and resources with DOE, CMEI, and NLR priorities.
• Lead scientific and technical strategy, identifying opportunities to strengthen research quality, institutional capabilities, innovation, impact, and relevance.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with DOE, government sponsors, industry, academia, research institutions, and other stakeholders, representing NLR at senior levels.
• Develop scientific and technical talent, foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, and advance organizational effectiveness, professional development, and excellence.

A successful leader at NLR embodies the following personal competencies:

• Courage: Act decisively to tackle difficult problems and persevere in the face of adversity.
• Critical Decision Making: Make sound choices in a timely manner.
• Credibility: Earn and maintain trust by influencing with integrity, honesty, and transparency.
• Coaching: Provide guidance and support to help others develop, learn, and grow.
• Compassion: Show genuine interest, sensitivity, and empathy to employees’ needs.
• Communication: Speak, write and listen clearly and consistently.

Basic Qualifications

15 years of relevant work experience including previous experience as a senior research leader at a large R&D organization.

A successful track record of developing and sustaining deep relationships with significant stakeholders, up to and including Board level.

An established track record working with, or at least understanding of, the Department of Energy or a similarly funded entity in a senior research management role.

• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and people-management skills, with the ability to build trust, engage staff, and foster effective relationships across the organization.
• Proven strategic planning and execution skills, including the ability to establish and communicate goals, align resources, and develop impactful strategies within a mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and negotiate complex partnerships and agreements that advance NLR’s mission while meeting DOE and laboratory requirements.
• Recognized scientific and/or innovative contributions relevant to MCCS research, supported by strong oral and written communication skills
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance and SCI access. SCI access may require a polygraph examination. Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE O 472.2A for additional information.
• This position requires an onsite hybrid work arrangement, and remote applicants will not be considered.
• Ability to travel is required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in multiple functions within a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), major research or academic institution with a national/international reputation in their scientific field.
• Documented record of R&D management of increasingly diverse science and technology programs that refresh institutional capabilities.

Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Associate Lab Director / Annual Salary Range: $248,600 - $447,500

NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

• Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

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