Division Director, Biosciences Division

Requisition Id13582

Overview:

The Biological and Environmental Systems Science Directorate (BESSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks applicants for the Division Director of the Biosciences Division (BSD). Reporting to the BESSD Associate Laboratory Director (ALD), the Division Director is responsible for leading and managing the science and technology (S&T) capabilities within the Division, consistent with existing programmatic missions and emerging opportunities, and establishing and implementing strategies for strategic directions in concert with BESSD leadership.

The Biosciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is focused on advancing science and technology to better understand complex biological systems and their relationship with the environment. The division has expertise and special facilities in genomics, computational biology, microbiology, microbial ecology, biophysics and structural biology, and plant sciences. This collective expertise includes collaborations within and outside ORNL and focuses on scientific challenges in biology for Department of Energy (DOE) missions in energy and the environment.

BSD is home to the Center for Bioenergy Innovation, a DOE Bioenergy Research Center focused on developing plants and microbes for a new generation of cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and industrially relevant bioproducts and biofuels. Research also focuses on Plant-Microbe Interfaces, examining the exchange of energy, information, and materials between plants and microbial communities. Connecting genes to desired traits is accelerated by capabilities in ORNL's Advanced Plant Phenotyping Laboratory, which offers one of the most diverse suites of imaging capabilities for plant phenotyping worldwide.

Scientists in BSD use high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and genomic algorithms to uncover networks of genes that contribute to complex traits critical in bioenergy, human health, and other focus areas. They leverage ORNL's neutron science capabilities to increase understanding of the myriad structures and interactions inside cells. Researchers are examining the way proteins fold and how the cycling of disordered proteins between various three-dimensional shapes affects how genes are expressed. Fundamental science discoveries about the human microbiome are helping to inform the development of new diagnostics and new treatments for a range of diseases.

Our researchers enjoy an open, inclusive, and innovative workplace where they collaborate daily to advance renewable energy solutions, biodiversity research, and push the frontiers of systems and synthetic biology. The future looks equally bright as we understand how genes influence ecosystem-level processes, develop novel biodesign tools and testbeds for enzyme engineering, apply the world's fastest supercomputers to transform biologicaland environmental data into knowledge, advance signature technologies for dynamic characterization of complex biological and environmental systems, and apply emerging capabilities that promise to transform how science is done through automated, data rich, and interconnected systems.

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation's biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 7,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL's broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership that focuses and integrates Division capabilities toward world-class S&T goals.
• Provide and/or supervise direct point-of-contact program management interface to sponsoring organizations.
• Collaborate with management peers to assist the ALD in defining and implementing strategic programmatic R&D missions for BESSD and the Laboratory.
• Represent ORNL before advisory committees.
• Emphasize the scientific productivity, impact, and reputation of BSD and engagement of staff in professional organizations.
• Ensure the Division executes projects and delivers outcomes consistent with commitments on budget and schedule.
• Execute line management responsibilities including supervision of Division leadership, budget and business planning, salary planning, staff recruitment and development, employee relations, and performance management.
• Build Division capabilities by attracting a quality, diverse pool of top candidates, and hire staff members who are committed to world-class R&D and aspire to be the best in their field.
• Foster a diverse and inclusive work environment where every employee feels safe, heard, and appreciated.
• Serve as the division work authority, striving to implement a culture within the workplace that is attentive to the identification of hazards and responsive to providing controls and processes to address the hazards.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Biosciences or related field.
• A minimum of 15 years of related experience.
• An international record of research/technical achievement, as evidenced by scholarly publications, patents, and/or funded research grants.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated management experience.
• Effective leadership and business management skills.
• A proven track record of communication through technical publications, development and execution of an R&D vision and strategy.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills that can interact effectively with a broad spectrum of people and issues in a fast-paced environment and can focus on the operational missions of Department of Energy, and other US government department sponsors.

Benefits at ORNL:

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people! The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for 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 or call 1.866.963.9545.

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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.

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.