Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) Director

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

About The Position

The Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) Director leads a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science user facility at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The Director shapes EMSL’s scientific vision, stewards its capabilities, and provides operational and strategic leadership for its scientific user program, which advances molecular-level discoveries supporting predictive understanding of biological, environmental, and energy systems. Reporting to the Associate Laboratory Director of the Integrated Discovery Sciences Directorate, the Director is a member of the directorate’s scientific leadership team and leads EMSL’s science and operations leadership group. The role is accountable for scientific excellence, program productivity, safe operations, budgets, funding, workforce planning, human resources, capital acquisitions, environmental health and safety, and facilities management. The Director also guides EMSL research groups and represents the user program in engagement with DOE, the Biological and Environmental Research program, research communities, and other government agencies. The Director develops and implements a forward-looking scientific vision, builds collaboration across PNNL and the broader user community, and strengthens partnerships with academic institutions, national laboratories, other DOE user facilities, scientific networks, and sponsors. The role includes supporting the transition to operations and ongoing science as the $122 million EMSL expansion, including the Microbial Molecular Phenotyping Capability project, moves into construction and eventual commissioning near FY2029. The Director also oversees safe laboratory operations and field deployments, and partners with Division Directors to matrix-lead scientific, technical, and operational staff supporting the EMSL user program and facility.

Requirements

BS/BA and 15 years of relevant experience, or MS/MA or higher and 13 years of relevant experience.
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 while fostering a collaborative culture with diversity of scientific thought.
Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.

Nice To Haves

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 within 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 or more staff.

Responsibilities

Lead the EMSL User Facility and Program, ensuring scientific excellence, program productivity, and safe operations.
Guide the transition to operations and ongoing high-impact science during construction and eventual commissioning of the $122 million EMSL expansion, including the Microbial Molecular Phenotyping Capability project.
Collaborate across BER User Facilities and Enabling Technologies resources to advance discovery science with the BER community.
Develop, articulate, and implement an ambitious scientific vision aligned with BER research priorities and national biological, environmental, and energy challenges.
Enable cross-collaboration and engagement among the laboratory and broader scientific user community.
Represent EMSL as the primary spokesperson for the User Program in interactions with DOE, BER, research communities, and other government agencies.
Oversee User Program budgets, funding, workforce planning, human resources, capital acquisitions, environmental health and safety, and facilities management.
Enhance EMSL research programs and capabilities in alignment with emerging mission priorities.
Strengthen partnerships with academic institutions, national laboratories, other DOE User Facilities, scientific networks, and sponsors.
Provide strategic direction to EMSL research groups and directly supervise members of the EMSL leadership team.
Oversee compliance with environmental, safety, and health criteria and applicable laboratory, state, and federal regulations for safe laboratory operations.
Oversee safe operations for field deployments.
Directly manage the EMSL leadership team and critical science and operational roles, approximately 20 staff.
Partner with Division Directors to matrix-lead and manage approximately 200 scientific, technical, and operational staff supporting the EMSL user program and facility across PNNL.