Materials Science Division Director

Argonne National Laboratory; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 254,000 - 396,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory invites applications for the Director for the Materials Science Division (MSD), a core research division within the Physical Sciences and Engineering Directorate.

MSD drives foundational scientific discovery and innovation in condensed matter physics, materials chemistry, and synthesis science to address the nation’s most pressing challenges in energy, information science, microelectronics, and national competitiveness.

Qualifications

• Defining strategic scientific direction and research priorities.
• Building and sustaining high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to secure and steward external research funding.
• Exceptional communication with executive leadership and sponsors.

Responsibilities

• Define and advance the division’s scientific strategy and priorities across materials physics and chemistry.
• Lead development of cohesive agendas leveraging MSD facilities (APS, CNM, ALCF).
• Foster partnerships with academia, industry, and DOE centers to accelerate discovery.
• Oversee operations, talent development, budgets, and performance management.
• Advocate for the division’s science to sponsors and the scientific community.
• Ensure safety, integrity, and alignment with Argonne values and policies.

Skills

Strategic scientific direction

Multi-disciplinary leadership

Communication with executives

Fundraising and external funding

Collaboration across disciplines

Education

Ph.D. in materials science, physics, chemistry, materials engineering, or closely related discipline

Job description

Argonne National Laboratory invites applications for the position of Director for the Materials Science Division (MSD), a core research division within the Physical Sciences and Engineering Directorate. MSD drives foundational scientific discovery and innovation in condensed matter physics, materials chemistry, and synthesis science to address the nation’s most pressing challenges in energy, information science, microelectronics, and national competitiveness. Division research spans fundamental synthesis, advanced characterization, theory, and modeling across diverse materials classes, including quantum materials, magnetic and superconducting phenomena, energy conversion and storage materials, complex oxides and heterostructures, 2D and nanoscale systems, and soft matter. Leveraging world-class experimental and computational capabilities, including the Advanced Photon Source (APS), the Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM), the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF), and AI-driven autonomous synthesis and discovery platforms, the division delivers transformative science and partnerships that define the future of materials design. The Division Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for a distinguished portfolio of scientific research programs, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and expand the division’s scientific footprint. This role includes developing and executing a compelling research vision aligned with Argonne’s mission and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) priorities, especially within the Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES), while strengthening external partnerships and ensuring excellence in safety, organizational performance, and alignment with Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership to define and advance the division’s scientific strategy and research priorities, spanning quantum materials, emergent electronic and magnetic phenomena, precision and autonomous synthesis science, energy storage and conversion materials, correlated electron systems, and AI/ML-accelerated materials discovery.
• Lead the development of ambitious, cohesive research agendas that leverage MSD’s core strengths and Argonne’s major national user facilities (APS, CNM, ALCF) to address frontier questions in materials physics, chemistry, and functional device architectures.
• Champion interdisciplinary research and strategic partnerships across Argonne directorates, academia, industry, other national laboratories, and DOE centers/hubs (e.g., QIS centers, microelectronics initiatives, and energy storage hubs) to accelerate scientific discovery and translational impact.
• Manage division operations, including research execution, talent acquisition and career development, financial stewardship, infrastructure and resource allocation, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and operational excellence that enables scientists, engineers, postdoctoral scholars, and mission support staff to thrive.
• Serve as a principal advocate and spokesperson for the division’s science to DOE sponsors, funding agencies, academic partners, and the international scientific community.
• Serve as the primary laboratory point of contact for the DOE Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences (BES) - Materials Sciences and Engineering (MSE) Division.
• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with multiple funding sources and stakeholders across government and industry.
• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and Laboratory policies while upholding the highest standards of scientific integrity, environmental protection, safety, and security.
• Contribute to Laboratory-wide leadership, participating in strategic committees and shaping cross-cutting initiatives in advanced materials, quantum information science, and artificial intelligence for science.

Position Requirements

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D. in materials science, physics, chemistry, materials engineering, or a closely related discipline, supplemented by at least 15 years of experience that includes demonstrated accomplishments in scientific leadership and research management.
• Demonstrated track record in defining strategic scientific direction, building and sustaining high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams, and fostering collaborative research environments.
• Internationally recognized record of scientific accomplishments, publications, and success in securing and stewarding competitive external research funding.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with proven experience engaging executive leadership, government sponsors, and global scientific peers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an executive or senior leadership role within a national laboratory, major research institute, or academic research enterprise.
• Established relationships with the DOE Office of Science (particularly BES-MSE) and an in-depth understanding of federal research priorities in materials discovery, microelectronics, QIS, and clean energy technologies.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale multi-investigator research initiatives, center-level proposals, and impact-oriented strategic programs.
• Demonstrated commitment to mentoring early- and mid-career researchers and cultivating an inclusive, collaborative, and high-impact research culture.

The expected hiring range for this position is $253,997.00 - $396,235.71. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation.

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