Group Lead, Dispensing and Technology Services

Overview: 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is seeking an outstanding leader with depth and breadth of collaborative, innovative experience to support the Enrichment Science and Engineering Division (ESED) – Stable Isotope Research Development and Production Section (SIRDP) as Group Leader for the Dispensing and Technical Services Group.  This position leads a diverse group of researchers and technical professionals to delivery unique chemical and physical forms of enriched isotopes to the international user community.       

Purpose:

The Enrichment Science and Engineering Division serves the nation in two critical areas: advancing enrichment technologies and exploring stable isotope production and applications. The division leverages an elite staff of scientists and engineers with the world-leading capabilities of Oak Ridge National Laboratory to deliver groundbreaking advancements with a variety of applications, from national security to life-saving medical treatments.

ESED is the national steward for the research, development, and demonstration of enrichment technologies.  ORNL is a recognized leader in centrifuge and electromagnetic enrichment technology.  We are the stewards and dispensary of the nation’s stable isotope inventory with a legacy dating to the 1940s.  This division integrates the full enrichment process from chemical synthesis of feed materials through fabrication of the custom physical forms needed to support the user communities. 

We are seeking a Group Leader for the Dispensing and Technology Services group. The successful candidate will provide research, development, and production leadership to the group to strategically advances science, technology, and deployment of the chemistry and material science needed to enable the use of enriched stable isotopes.  This position is expected to working closely with the team to advance the research and development of ultralow loss chemical conversion, gas chemistry, characterization of thermal physical properties and extraction of enriched material for high purity applications.  The successful candidate will have demonstrated people and project management skills in a hybrid research and production environment. 

The Technical Group Leader brings together a group of peers with the primary goal of pursuing global leadership in their field, nurtures ORNL’s culture among group members, and continues to build and scale up individual excellence and impact. The Technical Group Leader reports to and works closely with the Section Head to implement the group’s technical vision; develops group members to enable their career advancement; establishes capabilities that enable programs to excel at the forefront of technical professional expertise; works to solve technical challenges for science, engineering, or technical projects and functions; sets, implements, and models standards for performance of work consistent with Environment, Safety, Security, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) requirements and business rules; and ensures a diverse and inclusive work environment where every employee feels safe, heard, and appreciated—a workplace that sets an example for the broader community.

Technical:

Technical professionals are recognized leaders in their area by providing subject matter expertise for a variety of technical projects, programs, or operations; and solving technical challenges for science, engineering, operations or projects. Expectations are consistent with those for TP04 or higher.

Leadership:

• Develop a vision and implement a cohesive group strategy to ensure the success of new and ongoing technical projects to position the group for future success.
• Develop and implement plans to exploit new opportunities and/or expand existing efforts.
• Assist staff in setting performance goals consistent with the group’s strategy and members’ long-term career goals. Provide feedback to address performance issues in a timely manner.
• Provide relevant input to assist the Technical Section Head with staff development while providing direct and impactful guidance to staff on regular basis.
• Attract a quality, diverse pool of top candidates and hire staff members who are committed to world-class technology and aspire to be the best in their field.
• Lead by example by exercising the principles in ORNL’s “Research Code of Conduct” as a guide for proposing, performing, and communicating research.
• Coach and mentor staff regarding Battelle’s “Safe Conduct of Research” principles
• Lead ESH&Q by example and ensure all work is carried out safely, securely, and in compliance with ORNL policies, standards, and procedures.
• Exemplify a commitment to “One ORNL” by modeling lab expectations for excellence in research, operations, and community engagement, and by working cooperatively to leverage capabilities across the lab.

Service:

• Serve as immediate supervisor for staff members in group.
• Encourage staff to “think and dream big,” take appropriate risks in their work, and develop skills that will enable them to pursue new ideas, technical passions, and programs.
• Advance the reputation of the group members and standing of the group as a whole through establishing collaborations, Professional Society leadership and involvement, and organization of technical events.
• Support group members by consistently reviewing technical products such as proposals, publications, and artifacts to ensure high quality and consistency with ORNL standards.
• Build strong teams across ORNL.
• Connect staff to your network and professional societies.
• Hold regular technical group meetings and be visible in the labs and workplace.
• Assume front-line responsibility for safety in the group’s laboratories; mentor and empower the Laboratory Space Managers to create a strong safety culture.
• Effectively communicate the importance of protecting proprietary or sensitive information and complying with ORNL security, cybersecurity policies and guidelines.

Accountabilities:

• To group staff, for the quality and safety of their work environment and opportunity for professional growth.
• To R&D section head, for world-leading technical directions; safe effective, and compliant operations; ownership of assigned staff, facilities, and equipment; and the quality of products and services.
• To customer, for the quality of products and services.

Authorities:

• Develop a vision and implement a strategy to pursue world-leading technical/technology directions for the group.
• Hold staff accountable for performance.
• Act to ensure safe and effective operations.
• Hire staff.
• Certify the technical quality of the group’s products and services.

Qualifications Required:

• Requires a Ph.D. with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, a M.S. with a minimum of 12 years of experience, a B.S. with 15 years of relevant experience.
• Qualified candidates should have demonstrated experience in leading technical teams.

Special Requirements:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. 

Relocation:  

Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.
 
For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the “About” tab at jobs.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.