What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Accelerator Operations position at Jefferson Lab?
Job ID:
13551
Location:
Newport News, VA
Category:
Science
Division:
Accelerator Ops, R&D
Position Type:
Regular
Education:
PHD
Experience Required:
15 years
Relocation Provided:
Yes
Position Description
Come join our team at Jefferson Lab, where great minds matter
Posting Date: 01/08/2026
Salary Range: $ 136,400 - $215,00 (SSE), $136,400 - $241,700 (SSS)
Work Location Type: Dedicated On-site (100% on-site work)
What your job will be like:
Provide strategic and tactical leadership of the operations of CEBAF in all technical areas and will be an integral part of the
senior management team of the Accelerator Division. Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the CEBAF accelerator,
technical supervision and guidance of all personnel from Operations and other departments within the Accelerator and
Engineering Divisions engaged in supporting the safe operations of accelerator systems, as well as the long-range planning of
accelerator operations. This includes creating and implementing a comprehensive vision for optimizing the reliability and
performance of the accelerator, building up on the recent 12 GeV energy upgrade and planning for the future experiments
such as Moller which have higher demands on beam quality.
In this role as a SSE/SSS you will:
Be responsible for the safe day-to-day operations of CEBAF
Coordinate with supporting groups (e.g. CASA, CIS, SRF Ops, SRF S&T, EES, EHS&Q)
Develop and implement the long-range vision for the reliability and performance of CEBAF and beam quality programs for MOLLER and other project
Develop budgetary priorities for maintenance and improvements to CEBAF
Provide oversight of LERF and UITF operations
Communication with DOE and Experimental Physics User’s Group
Provide review briefings as required including, but not limited to the annual Budget Review and annual Science and Technology Review
Serve as associate member of CASA, SRF S&T and SRF Ops departments
Qualifications we require for an SSE:
Education
Bachelor's degree in engineering
Education above the minimum may not be substituted for experience.
Experience
15 or more years in nuclear or particle accelerator Physics
5 or more years direct experience in accelerator operations
3 or more years managerial responsibilities
Qualification we require for an SSS:
Education
Ph.D. in Physics or equivalent
Education above the minimum may not be substituted for experience.
Experience
15 or more years in nuclear or particle accelerator Physics
5 or more years direct experience in accelerator operations
3 or more years managerial responsibilities
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Excellent communication and leadership skills and demonstrate good judgment
Functional knowledge of operation of accelerators, beam dynamics in accelerators, and knowledge about functioning of all accelerators sub-systems, including RF, magnets and power supplies, beam diagnostics, control systems, etc.
Ability to give effective presentations to critical/high level customers and effectively represent work group on review panels and cross-organizational teams
Ability to write convincing proposals and reports with all necessary backup material for external consumption
Advanced knowledge of applications of accelerator and experimental equipment and detector devices as they relate to nuclear physics research
Advanced and demonstrated planning, budgeting, problem solving, decision making, analytical, communication, and presentation skills
Developed leadership, managerial, interface, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
About Jefferson Lab
Join a community with a common purpose of solving the most
challenging scientific and engineering problems of our time. The
Jefferson Lab campus is located in southeastern Virginia amidst a
vibrant and growing technology community.
A career at Jefferson Lab is more than a job. You will be part of
“big science” and work alongside top scientists and engineers from
around the world unlocking the secrets of our visible universe. Managed by Jefferson Science Associates, LLC; Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is entering an exciting period of mission growth and is seeking new team members ready to apply their skills and passion to have an impact. You could call it work, or you could call it a mission. We call it a challenge. We do things that will change the
world.
Total Rewards at Jefferson Lab
At Jefferson Lab, we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits
program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation
employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited
to:
East Coast
Jefferson Science Associates, LLC (JSA) manages and operates the
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab).
JSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for persons
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 recruiting @jlab.org or contact Human
Resources by calling (757) 269-7100 and selecting option 1 between 8 am
–5 pm EST to provide the nature of your request.
Employment with
JSA 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.
13551
Location:
Newport News, VA
Category:
Science
Division:
Accelerator Ops, R&D
Position Type:
Regular
Education:
PHD
Experience Required:
15 years
Relocation Provided:
Yes
Position Description
Come join our team at Jefferson Lab, where great minds matter
Posting Date: 01/08/2026
Salary Range: $ 136,400 - $215,00 (SSE), $136,400 - $241,700 (SSS)
Work Location Type: Dedicated On-site (100% on-site work)
What your job will be like:
Provide strategic and tactical leadership of the operations of CEBAF in all technical areas and will be an integral part of the
senior management team of the Accelerator Division. Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the CEBAF accelerator,
technical supervision and guidance of all personnel from Operations and other departments within the Accelerator and
Engineering Divisions engaged in supporting the safe operations of accelerator systems, as well as the long-range planning of
accelerator operations. This includes creating and implementing a comprehensive vision for optimizing the reliability and
performance of the accelerator, building up on the recent 12 GeV energy upgrade and planning for the future experiments
such as Moller which have higher demands on beam quality.
In this role as a SSE/SSS you will:
Be responsible for the safe day-to-day operations of CEBAF
Coordinate with supporting groups (e.g. CASA, CIS, SRF Ops, SRF S&T, EES, EHS&Q)
Develop and implement the long-range vision for the reliability and performance of CEBAF and beam quality programs for MOLLER and other project
Develop budgetary priorities for maintenance and improvements to CEBAF
Provide oversight of LERF and UITF operations
Communication with DOE and Experimental Physics User’s Group
Provide review briefings as required including, but not limited to the annual Budget Review and annual Science and Technology Review
Serve as associate member of CASA, SRF S&T and SRF Ops departments
Qualifications we require for an SSE:
Education
Bachelor's degree in engineering
Education above the minimum may not be substituted for experience.
Experience
15 or more years in nuclear or particle accelerator Physics
5 or more years direct experience in accelerator operations
3 or more years managerial responsibilities
Qualification we require for an SSS:
Education
Ph.D. in Physics or equivalent
Education above the minimum may not be substituted for experience.
Experience
15 or more years in nuclear or particle accelerator Physics
5 or more years direct experience in accelerator operations
3 or more years managerial responsibilities
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Excellent communication and leadership skills and demonstrate good judgment
Functional knowledge of operation of accelerators, beam dynamics in accelerators, and knowledge about functioning of all accelerators sub-systems, including RF, magnets and power supplies, beam diagnostics, control systems, etc.
Ability to give effective presentations to critical/high level customers and effectively represent work group on review panels and cross-organizational teams
Ability to write convincing proposals and reports with all necessary backup material for external consumption
Advanced knowledge of applications of accelerator and experimental equipment and detector devices as they relate to nuclear physics research
Advanced and demonstrated planning, budgeting, problem solving, decision making, analytical, communication, and presentation skills
Developed leadership, managerial, interface, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
About Jefferson Lab
Join a community with a common purpose of solving the most
challenging scientific and engineering problems of our time. The
Jefferson Lab campus is located in southeastern Virginia amidst a
vibrant and growing technology community.
A career at Jefferson Lab is more than a job. You will be part of
“big science” and work alongside top scientists and engineers from
around the world unlocking the secrets of our visible universe. Managed by Jefferson Science Associates, LLC; Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is entering an exciting period of mission growth and is seeking new team members ready to apply their skills and passion to have an impact. You could call it work, or you could call it a mission. We call it a challenge. We do things that will change the
world.
Total Rewards at Jefferson Lab
At Jefferson Lab, we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits
program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation
employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited
to:
- 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
- Live near the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay region with access to
East Coast
Jefferson Science Associates, LLC (JSA) manages and operates the
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab).
JSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for persons
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 recruiting @jlab.org or contact Human
Resources by calling (757) 269-7100 and selecting option 1 between 8 am
–5 pm EST to provide the nature of your request.
Employment with
JSA 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.
Salary : $21,500 - $136,400