Division Director, Experimental Physics

SURATech, LLC (Jefferson Lab) • Newport News, VA

2d • $169,000 - $266,800

About The Position

The Division Director, CEBAF Experimental Physics, leads the Experimental Physics Division in the safe, compliant, and effective execution of CEBAF’s experimental nuclear physics program. Reporting to the Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) for CEBAF, the Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the division’s departments, staff, programs, and resources, and shapes its scientific program and long-term direction in alignment with laboratory goals. The role manages the division budget, multi-year program priorities, and cross-department initiatives, while fostering a strong culture of safety and operational discipline. It ensures staff have the training, tools, and information needed to work safely and effectively and maintains compliance with institutional policies, the Contractor Assurance System, and applicable regulations. Oversight includes experimental readiness reviews, run certificates, required safety documentation, and the technical implementation of experimental equipment.

The Director contributes to laboratory-wide strategic planning and policy development and works closely with the international user community. The role represents the division and laboratory to senior scientific stakeholders, partner organizations, and the DOE Site Office, including responding to technical requests and escalating critical issues in coordination with the ALD and Director’s Office. The Director may serve as acting Associate Laboratory Director for CEBAF when designated.

Jefferson Lab is located in southeastern Virginia and is managed and operated by SURATech, LLC. The position offers a good-faith pay range of $169,000–$266,800 per year, with actual compensation potentially varying based on candidate qualifications and work location. Company-provided relocation assistance is offered.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Physics or equivalent.
• At least 20 years of hands-on experience in experimental physics.
• At least 3 years leading multidisciplinary research groups or organizations.
• In-depth knowledge of the design, construction, and operation of large nuclear physics detector systems and experimental equipment and their application to nuclear physics research.
• Working knowledge of electron accelerator systems as they relate to execution of the experimental program.
• Thorough knowledge of ES&H requirements in a DOE-sponsored laboratory, including institutional safety policies, the Contractor Assurance System, and experimental readiness processes.
• Knowledge of major current nuclear physics activities and lead scientists in the United States and internationally.
• Recognition within the DOE National Lab community, User Groups, and national and international physics community as an expert on operating research facilities and experimental equipment.
• Advanced knowledge of applications of experimental equipment and detector devices in nuclear physics research.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, multi-year programs, and cross-department initiatives within allocated targets.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, and develop staff, including building high-performing teams, setting priorities, delegating authority to line management, conducting performance evaluations, and workforce planning.
• Extensive publications in experimental nuclear physics.
• Advanced planning, problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills, including the ability to engage effectively with staff, users, partner organizations, senior scientific stakeholders, and the DOE Site Office.
• Education above the minimum may not be substituted for experience, and relevant experience may not be substituted for education.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the CEBAF Experimental Physics Division, setting strategic direction for its people, programs, scientific priorities, and operations.
• Lead the division’s contributions to laboratory strategic planning and budget formulation, aligning division priorities with CEBAF Directorate and laboratory goals.
• Manage the division’s financial, human, and material resources, including budgets, personnel, and procurement; operate within allocated targets; support FWP planning and DOE reporting; and remain accountable to the CEBAF ALD.
• Establish and sustain a strong safety and operational discipline culture, ensuring compliance with institutional policies, the Contractor Assurance System, and DOE requirements, including authority to stop unsafe or noncompliant work.
• Oversee experimental readiness and compliance activities, including Experimental Readiness Reviews, run certificates, required safety documentation, and technical implementation of experimental equipment.
• Direct division support for the user community through equipment development and experiment execution, including user-built subsystems under MOUs or CRADAs and support for experiment design, data-taking, and analysis.
• Direct the execution and publication of experimental physics research and maintain engagement with the broader national and international research community.
• Partner with the CEBAF Accelerator Division to define beam requirements and develop experiment schedules.
• Collaborate with Jefferson Lab’s EIC Project team to align resources and technical activities with project goals.
• Represent the CEBAF program and laboratory to the national and international scientific community, advisory committees, and the DOE Site Office; respond to technical requests and escalate critical issues with the ALD and Director’s Office.
• Participate in advisory committees and provide scientific and programmatic evaluation of proposals and initiatives.
• Provide effective leadership and management of Experimental Physics staff and resources, including professional development, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Serve as acting Associate Laboratory Director for CEBAF when designated.

Benefits

• Company-provided relocation assistance.
• Medical, dental, and vision care plans.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Paid time off and leave programs, including paid parental leave, vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• 401(k) plan with a 9% Lab contribution and 100% vesting.
• Flexible work arrangements, including remote and alternate work schedules.
• Tuition assistance, training, and professional development programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree