Senior Research Operations Manager

Search Jobs - INL Professional Careers; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 159,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9x80 schedule with every other Friday

Idaho Falls facility

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Research Operations Manager within the EES&T Research Management Group in Idaho Falls. The role focuses on directing research operations, maintaining safety and QA standards, and supporting innovation across multiple program areas.

Responsibilities include strategic planning, leadership of LM/LSC/PR staff, talent development, and budgeting above $2M per year. Requires a DOE Q clearance and US citizenship; 9x80 work schedule with every other Friday off.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering with 9+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s/PhD with additional experience.
• 2 years of leadership/management experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance; US Citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage research operations to ensure operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Direct Laboratory Manager and research operations staff, including LSC and PR roles; manage human capital activities.
• Apply Conduct of Research, safety, quality assurance, and R&D process requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Research operations

Stakeholder collaboration

DOE clearance (Q)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering

Master’s degree in a related field

PhD in a related field

Job description

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Research Operations Manager to work in our Energy, Environment, Science & Technology (EES&T) to work in our Research Management Group. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Idaho Falls facility with every other Friday off.

The EES&T Research Operations Manager will lead and manage research operations, maintaining high standards by enabling the safe conduct of research with a focus on continuous improvement and enabling success of our multi program mission areas.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Provide discipline in research operations by developing strategic goals, preserving operational excellence and maintaining continuity of research operations.
• Maintain strategic interfaces with science and technology directorates, supporting the culture of excellence. Collaborate with leaders across the laboratory complex, DOE-ID, and Universities to accelerate innovation in the safe conduct of research.
• Direct manager for Laboratory Manager (LM), and research operations staff as well as researchers performing Laboratory Space Coordinator (LSC), Principal Researcher (PR) roles. Responsible for human capital management including hiring, employee performance, terminations, transfers, disciplinary actions. Develop talent of employees through mentoring and succession planning and providing professional development opportunities.
• Understand Conduct of Research principles, engineering, safety and quality assurance requirements to accomplish R&D activities within laboratory processes.
• Facilitate mentoring and training programs for LM, LSC, PR and researchers to ensure competence commensurate with responsibility.
• Manage performance assurance activities (i.e., manage internal assessments and surveillances, event investigations, develop corrective action plans).
• Maintain Research Operations dashboards (i.e., research work control metrics, LM span of control, functional areas).
• Manage budget (>2M/yr) associated with laboratory research operations.
  Provide EES&T review of INL documents and related laboratory management (research work control, training).
• Serve as EES&T representative on INL committees (i.e., research life cycle, research work control, etc.)
  Represent the directorate for infrastructure planning and facility interface.
  Interface with support organizations and subject matter experts to ensure resources are available to support research activities.
  Communicate research risks and present recommendations to the Chief Operations Officer.
• You will typically report to a direct report of a Director, Sr. Director, or Senior Leadership.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering plus 9 years relevant experience, Master’s degree plus 6 years relevant experience, or PhD and 4 years of relevant experience.
• 2 years of leadership/management experience.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "Q" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

• The target pay range for this position is ($158,712- $237,174) annually. The full pay range is ($107,844 - $274,980). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.