Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Integrated Discovery Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The Integrated Discovery Sciences Directorate (IDSD) leads fundamental research across biology, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, materials science, advanced computing, super intelligence, quantum information science, mathematics, autonomy, and DOE national user facilities. Our vision is to accelerate scientific discovery by observing, understanding, simulating, predicting, and controlling dynamic biotic-abiotic processes and interactions within complex biological, chemical, material, and Earth systems. We intentionally connect disciplines to advance fundamental discovery science, develop transformative scientific capabilities, and address the nation's most important challenges in energy, environmental resilience, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, health, and national security.

Responsibilities

The Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science User Facility advancing molecular-level discoveries that support predictive understanding of biological, environmental, and energy systems. As the EMSL Director, they will lead one of the nation’s most collaborative scientific user programs, shaping its scientific vision, stewarding its capabilities, and providing operational and strategic leadership for one of the nation’s most impactful and collaborative scientific user programs. 

 

Reporting to the Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) of the newly formed Integrated Discovery Sciences Directorate, the EMSL Director serves as a key member of the directorate’s scientific leadership team and provides direct oversight to a core EMSL science and operations leadership group of 25-50 staff. EMSL’s user program mission is to lead molecular-level discoveries for the DOE Office of Science Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program, ensuring EMSL delivers high-impact science and predictive insights that translate to predictive biological and environmental understanding and accelerated solutions for national energy and environmental challenges. They will enable foundational discoveries and predictive capabilities that are critical to DOE’s mission—guiding its future impact and growth.

 

• Responsible for leading the EMSL User Facility and Program, ensuring scientific excellence, program productivity, and safe operations.
• Ensure the smooth transition to operations and ongoing high-impact science are executed as the $122M EMSL expansion to include the Microbial Molecular Phenotyping Capability (M2PC) project begins construction and eventual commissioning near FY2029.
• Work collaboratively across BER User Facilities and Enabling Technologies resources to promote, advance, and lead discovery science research with the BER community across biotechnology and critical biology-Earth-Energy intersections.
• Responsible for developing, articulating, and implementing an ambitious, bold forward looking scientific vision that enables molecular science discoveries and effectively mobilizes the scientific community to provide the foundations for BER research priorities and our nation’s critical biological, environmental, and energy challenges.
• Responsible for enabling integrated, cross-collaboration and engagement amongst the laboratory and broader scientific user community.
• Represents EMSL as the primary spokesperson for the User Program in interactions with the DOE, BER and broader research communities, and other government agencies.
• Accountable for User Program budgets, funding, workforce planning, human resource management, capital acquisitions, environmental health and safety, and facilities management.
• Enhance EMSL’s research programs and capabilities in alignment with emerging mission priorities.
• Strengthen partnerships with academic institutions, national laboratories and other DOE User Facilities, scientific networks, and sponsors to enhance program impact and visibility.
• Provide strategic direction to EMSL research groups and directly supervises members of the EMSL leadership team.
• Responsible for oversight with ES&H safety criteria for safe operation of laboratories, in compliance with lab, state, and federal regulations.
• Responsible for safe operations with oversight to field deployments.
• Direct line management of EMSL leadership team and critical science and operational roles, ~20 staff.
• Partner with Division Directors to collaboratively matrix lead and manage scientific, technical, and operational staff directly supporting the EMSL user program and facility across PNNL (~200 staff).

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of relevant research sponsors, particularly BER and DOE Office of Science, and familiarity with national laboratory environments.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic plans and adapt to evolving scientific and operational needs.
• Ability to articulate a clear vision and purpose to position capabilities for mission impact.
• Ability to effectively engage and build strong relationships with senior leaders, sponsors, and external partners.
• Ability to interact effectively with funding agencies such as the Department of Energy.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop staff, fostering a collaborative culture with diversity of scientific thought.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 15 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA or higher and 13 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Biology, Chemistry, Geochemistry, Ecology, Earth science, or a related field.
• Experience leading scientific or technical teams and/or programs within research environments.
• Experience working in high-performing teams as part of a matrixed line management environment.
• Research experience within environmental and biological sciences.
• Contracting, operations, and resource management experience within a complex scientific laboratory environment.
• Experience within a DOE User Facility.
• Recognized national and international reputation and record of accomplishment in a scientific and/or engineering field.
• Direct line management experience of 25+ staff.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable 

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
 

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

 

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

 

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

 

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.  If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn. 

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication.  The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include 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) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

 

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Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

 

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $238,500.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $376,900.00/Yr.