Center Director-Computational Sciences

National Laboratory of the Rockies•Golden, CO

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Material, Chemical, and Computational Sciences (MCCS) directorate is seeking a Center Director (CD) to lead the MCCS Computational Science Center (CSC) at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR). The CSC stewards the largest HPC environment in the world dedicated to advancing energy technologies and is seeking an accomplished leader to provide strategic and operational leadership for the Center. NLR’s Computational Science Center conducts world-class research enabling NLR's applied energy mission and advancing the science of computing through the activities of its six groups: Advanced Computing Operations, Advanced Computing Solutions, AI, Learning & Intelligent Systems, Data, Analysis & Visualization, Digital Twins & Scalable Workflows, and Scalable Algorithms, Modeling & Simulation. The CD will develop, maintain, and progress the technical capabilities of the center, including people, equipment, and facilities, to ensure world-class research and development in computational sciences. They will work closely with the Lab Program Manager for Advanced Computing to evolve and execute on the strategic plan for high performance computing at NLR. The successful candidate will report to the Associate Lab Director (ALD) of MCCS and lead CSC with a focus on excellence in organizational management and in developing strategic capabilities and programs in support of the directorate’s and lab’s vision, strategy, and mission execution. This will require partnering with peers across the laboratory to fully leverage advanced computational capabilities on behalf of the mission work of NLR. The CD will work closely with the Cybersecurity and Resilient Infrastructure & Security Centers within the Energy Security & Systems Integration Directorate to coordinate and sustain the integrated research, controlled, and classified computing environments required to support NLR’s energy security mission. More broadly, the CD will maintain strong connections across NLR to ensure that computational science, modeling and simulation, AI, data, visualization, and advanced computing function as cohesive, cross-cutting capabilities supporting the lab’s full mission portfolio.

Requirements

PhD in Computational Science, Computer Science, or the Physical, Mathematical or Engineering Sciences or related technical discipline/degree and thesis work in advanced computing and 7 years of related experience. Or a master’s degree Computational Science, Computer Science, or the Physical, Mathematical or Engineering Sciences or related technical discipline/degree and 9 years of related experience.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q Security Clearance.
Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen.
Applicants must submit a cover letter detailing their relevant background and motivation for applying.
Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Demonstrated breadth of knowledge across computational science and advanced computing, with deep expertise in one or more relevant areas and a record of remaining current with rapidly evolving technologies, research methods, and computing architectures.
Demonstrated experience in management, budget, administrative, program strategy development and implementation experience in a research and development environment.
Past leadership accomplishments, to include success in managing major technical efforts, execution in delivering products or services, and developing new programmatic funding.
Exceptional leadership potential to include conceptual thinking ability; excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills, collaborative, and negotiating skills; ability to motivate personnel and model critical leadership skills and values.
Ability to engage effectively with both computational and analysis communities; takes initiative and has creativity, and communication skills necessary to effectively propose new or expanded research efforts to the DOE as well as industrial and academic partners.
Established relationships across the Federal establishment and/or industry.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership that addresses the needs of DOE, the DOE Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI), and other constituents to position CSC for future success.
Maintain broad and current knowledge of computational science, high-performance computing, AI, visualization, and relevant computing topics in order to guide the Center’s technical direction, identify emerging opportunities and risks, and ensure that it’s capabilities, workforce, and research remain relevant and competitive.
Integrate the Center’s six groups by establishing shared priorities, cross-group collaboration, and resolving organization and technical dependencies.
Engage fully as a member of the MCCS leadership team.
Lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles and values, both directly and through subordinate management.
Effectively manage CSC with respect to staffing, finances, performance review, and other administrative functions necessary for proper execution.
Lead and ensure effective execution of CSC research, operational, and capability-development portfolio.
Ensure reliable and user-focused operation of the Center’s production computing and visualization capabilities, balancing operational continuity, research innovation, facility requirements, and the evolving needs of lab programs and external partners.
Steward and continually advance the Center’s enduring capabilities, including its workforce, scientific software, computing platforms, data and visualization environments, facilities and institutional expertise.
Play a leading role in developing computational science programs, technical capabilities, and strategic partnerships to advance and support NLR’s computing efforts.
Lead development of strategic technical capabilities that differentiate NLR’s computing effort while maintaining alignment with CMEI.
Represent NLR's computational science and advanced computing efforts nationally and internationally.
Develop and maintain positive relationships internally to NLR and externally with sponsors and research partners.
Ensure center compliance with DOE and NLR safety, security, and operational requirements and policies, while fostering a strong safety and security culture.
Provide leadership and mentorship in the areas of professional and technical development to group managers, projects leads and technical staff.
Provide personnel management for all members of the Center. This includes career development, performance management, job satisfaction, safe and working environment, conflict resolution, and policy management.
Recruit, develop, train, and motivate staff to produce world-class R&D results.
Model commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.