Atmospheric and Earth Sciences Division Director

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking an accomplished scientific, technical, and organizational leader to serve as Division Director for the newly created Atmospheric and Earth Sciences Division and Sector Manager for the Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program within the newly formed Integrated Discovery Sciences Directorate (IDSD). This senior leadership role will shape, steward, and grow PNNL’s atmospheric, terrestrial/coastal, and subsurface research capability in service to DOE Office of Science missions and broader national priorities. The Division Director will develop and maintain a highly productive technical resource base across atmospheric sciences, aerosols and cloud microphysics, subsurface-terrestrial-atmospheric interfaces, coastal and watershed systems, ecosystem sciences including soil and environmental microbiome systems, subsurface flow and transport phenomenon, water/nutrient/mineral cycles, managed and natural land mass systems, and integrated biology-Earth-energy intersections deeply integrated and driven by Model-guided Experimentation and field based research. The role will align division capabilities with Laboratory strategy, directorate priorities, sponsor needs, and project delivery requirements. As Sector Manager for BER, the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership for PNNL’s BER portfolio, serving as a senior interface among PNNL researchers, directorate leadership, directorate program development office, BER division directors and program managers, other national laboratories, universities, industry, and external stakeholders. The role requires both scientific stature and operating discipline: the ability to define a compelling research strategy, build effective teams, manage risk, deliver mission outcomes, and represent PNNL’s atmospheric and Earth sciences capabilities with credibility at the national and international levels. The selected leader will reinforce PNNL values, uphold the highest standards of research integrity and operational conduct, and foster a division culture where staff can do high-impact science in a safe, inclusive, and secure environment.

Requirements

BS/BA and 12 years of relevant experience -OR- MS/MA or higher and 10 years of relevant experience

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences, Earth sciences, geology, geochemistry, ecology, biology, or a closely related field.
A significant record of scientific and technical accomplishment in one or more fields relevant to environmental and Earth sciences, including soil sciences, environmental microbiome, subsurface hydrobiogeochemistry, aerosol and cloud microphysics, watershed/coastal systems, terrestrial-atmospheric interactions, scientific AI, or related areas.
Recognized scientific or technical stature in areas directly relevant to DOE BER.
Experience working with DOE Office of Science programs, national laboratory systems, multi-laboratory collaborations, or large federally sponsored research programs.
Familiarity with BER program priorities in water for energy, coupled biology-Earth-energy systems, and environmental biology for biotechnology.
Experience leading organizational change, including creation or realignment of research divisions, capability areas, centers, or cross-directorate programs.
Demonstrated ability to connect environmental research to science drivers in chemistry, materials, biology, energy, or national security.
Experience managing complex operational environments, including budgets, workforce planning, performance management, risk management, cyber and information stewardship, field-based research, and technical infrastructure.
Experience developing diverse leadership pipelines and mentoring senior research staff, group leaders, early-career scientists, and technical managers.
Experience building partnerships with universities, industry, national laboratories, federal agencies, and international scientific organizations.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical and strategic topics to senior executives, sponsors, researchers, operations staff, and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Set and execute a mission‑aligned strategy advancing PNNL’s atmospheric, Earth systems, and environmental microbiome sciences.
Define a clear division vision, goals, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with directorate and Laboratory strategies.
Integrate atmospheric and Earths sciences with domain sciences across BER, BES, ASCR, and other sponsor portfolios synergistically.
Represent division capabilities nationally and internationally; elevate PNNL’s reputation in atmospheric and aerosol-cloud microphysics, subsurface hydrobiogeochemistry, coastal and watershed systems, ecosystem and coupled terrestrial-atmospheric processes, environmental microbiomes, ModEx driven field-based research, and autonomous field based observational capabilities.
Champion Laboratory‑level capability investments and ensure impactful scientific outcomes (publications, software, data products, awards, partnerships).
Lead a unified BER strategy across IDSD and PNNL, including sponsor engagement, program development, proposal strategy, and long‑term capability planning that aligns with IDSD S&T strategic directions and advances.
Build strong relationships with BER leadership and research communities across DOE, labs, academia, and federal agencies.
Align PNNL capabilities with BER priorities in water for energy, biotechnology, dynamic interconnected biology-Earth-energy systems, and autonomous scientific discovery.
Coordinate cross‑directorate proposals and programs linking atmospheric, Earth systems, and environmental biology with computing, physical, materials, human health, multi-scale/sector modeling, and energy sciences.
Plan and steward workforce, equipment, and strategic investments.
Allocate resources to meet strategic priorities and sponsor commitments.
Ensure capabilities are effectively deployed for projects, proposals, and emerging mission opportunities.
Recruit, develop, and retain a diverse, high‑performing workforce.
Strengthen expertise in emerging areas (AI for science, autonomous field-based discovery science, coupled biology-Earth-energy systems, connected subsurface-terrestrial/coastal/watershed-atmospheric interfaces, and advanced cloud microphysics).
Develop technical leaders and future division leadership.
Set expectations for hiring, development, assessment, promotion, and accountability.
Maintain an inclusive, safe, collaborative environment rooted in research integrity and technical excellence.
Drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, and disciplined business operations.
Reinforce a culture of safety, security, compliance, and quality especially with respect to field-based research operations.
Set and manage operational metrics and budgets; identify and mitigate division‑level risks.
Ensure alignment with Laboratory requirements, procedures, and operational standards.
Build productive relationships across PNNL, DOE, PNSO, national labs, academia, industry, and stakeholders.
Collaborate with division directors, project management leaders, chief scientists, and capability stewards to align capabilities with mission needs.
Influence directorate and Laboratory strategy and support business development to expand BER‑related impact and program growth.