Associate Laboratory Director, Biological and Environmental Systems Sciences

Requisition Id 15393

Overview:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a dynamic, visionary leader to serve as Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) for the Biological and Environmental Systems Science Directorate (BESSD). The ALD will serve as a key member of the Laboratory’s executive leadership team, working closely with the Laboratory Director to advance ORNL’s mission of delivering world-leading scientific discoveries and translating them into transformative energy and security solutions.

As the largest science and energy laboratory in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) system, ORNL is home to more than 7,500 staff, an outstanding ecosystem of world-class user facilities, and an unparalleled breadth of expertise spanning neutron science, high-performance computing, materials and nuclear sciences, isotopes, biological and environmental systems, national security, and energy technologies. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains near Oak Ridge and Knoxville, Tennessee, ORNL combines scientific excellence with unique collaborative partnerships across industry, academia, and government to accelerate discovery and innovation critical for addressing urgent national and global challenges.

BESSD is internationally recognized as a leader in biological and environmental systems science. Its mission is to deliver a predictive understanding of complex biological and environmental systems and associated coupling to engineered systems to advance the Nation’s bioeconomy, energy abundance, and infrastructure resilience. With more than 300 staff and an annual research portfolio exceeding $140M, BESSD is addressing its mission through advancing and integrating discovery science; automated, AI-assisted capabilities for quantifying and optimizing plant-microbe-soil systems from genes to ecosystems; large-scale field experiments; and ORNL transformative computing approaches—including the world’s first exascale system, Frontier.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The Associate Laboratory Director will:

• Serve as a member of ORNL’s senior leadership team, sharing responsibility for simultaneous excellence in science and technology, operations, and community engagement.
• Provide executive oversight for the Environmental Sciences Division, the Biosciences Division, and the DOE Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI).
• Shape and execute a forward-looking vision for BESSD, aligned with ORNL’s mission and refined BESSD Strategic Plan, to drive scientific breakthroughs and their translations into solutions at scale.
• Provide executive oversight of (a) ORNL’s automated plant transformation facility, developed to speed up engineering of plant traits, as well as (b) the Nation’s most advanced phenotyping capability (APPL - Advanced Plant Phenotyping Laboratory), which uses automation, robotics, AI and advanced imagery to connect genotype to phenotype and to translate discoveries into solutions for plant-based energy, chemicals, and materials.
• Serve as a primary Directorate contact and spokesperson within ORNL and externally.
• Serve as the primary liaison to DOE’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) and other federal sponsors, shaping and advancing ORNL’s research portfolios to align with DOE and national priorities.
• Engage with stakeholders across other DOE and federal sponsors, industry, academia, and international partners to advance innovations and their translation into solutions with national and global impact.
• Lead and contribute to the development of strategic initiatives such as regional resilience, AI-enabled automation and discovery to advance biotechnology, and quantum S&T. With other ORNL executive leaders, advance ORNL’s S&T strategy and the role of facilities in the strategy, including the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), the Center for Nanophase Materials Science (CNMS), Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF), and the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF).
• Catalyze new large-scale, multi-institutional research programs and partnerships across universities, industry, and other national laboratories.
• Drive employee performance management and assessment processes for the entire organization. Perform line management of BESSD leadership, identify key organization staffing needs, and develop scientists to be future leaders and mentors.
• Create and nurture a supportive environment through championing the ORNL values of impact, teamwork, safety, integrity and service.

Basic Qualifications:

• International recognition and demonstrated accomplishments as a leading PhD scientist and visionary, with a track record of advancing biological, environmental, and/or Earth system science and technology.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated executive management experience, including developing and leading large complex and multidisciplinary research organizations, programs and/or user facilities.
• Demonstrated experience of successfully developing, implementing, and executing scientific strategy with engagement from critical stakeholders.
• Evidence of successful engagement with key stakeholders, program sponsors, internal staff and partners.
• Familiarity with DOE programs, particularly the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER).

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
• For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.
• Additionally, ORNL 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 mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
• To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

• If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment.
• Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.