Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Hiring for Research Line Manager 3 at Richland, Washington Full Time

Overview

Our expert staff provide multi-disciplinary solutions to complex energy and environmental issues. Key capabilities include science (chemical and mechanical). We employ a systems perspective that includes, discovery technology development and scale-up as well as economic, regulatory, and market acceptance issues necessary for successful technology commercialization. EP&MD focuses on three mission contributions: Clean Fossil Energy, Electricity Infrastructure, & Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Responsibilities

Chemical & Bioprocessing Group Leader

Position description

The Energy Processes and Materials Division (EP&MD) within the Energy and Environment Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking a Group Leader (GL) to lead its Chemical & Biological Processing (CBP) Group. This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead an internationally recognized research group that is pushing the envelope in developing next generation waste carbon conversion processes to produce biofuels and chemicals.

The GL will create a vision for the future of waste carbon and bio processing research at PNNL that aligns with the mission and business goals and will be responsible for sustaining and further developing a suite of technical capabilities to achieve that vision. The GL will direct the group’s research operations, including staffing, facilities, and equipment and will be directly responsible for maintaining a safe work environment and for instilling a strong safety culture. As an integral member of the EP&MD leadership team, the GL will work closely with the division director, fellow GLs and sector managers to establish goals, plans, and strategic directions for the EP&MD and to resolve key challenges.

The CBP Group consolidates PNNL’s capabilities in waste carbon and bio-based processing research and development, and has approximately 50 multidisciplinary staff members including scientists, engineers, and administrative support. The CBP Group’s focus is developing the processes to convert biomass and underutilized carbon resources to fuels and chemicals. The group’s research advances the state of the art in waste carbon and bio-based processing through expertise in applied catalysis, fungal biotechnology, process engineering and fuels, and analytical and process chemistry. The CBP Group conducts research in support of the Department of Energy’s applied energy missions, as well as for other government agencies and the private sector. The CBP Group has four technical teams, each of which is led by a team leader that reports to the GL.

The CBP Group’s research is laboratory-intensive, with thousands of square feet of laboratories that house capabilities ranging from catalyst discovery and synthesis including combinatorial and high throughput experiments, to fungal organism development, to bench-scale process testing and larger scale process testing. Specific laboratory capabilities include combinatorial catalyst systems, a proteomics workstation, six incubator fermentation shakers (40 samples each), twelve 5-L fermenters, 30-L fermenters, multiple bench scale reactor systems, and larger-scale capabilities including a modular hydrothermal liquefaction system. In addition, the group has a full analytical laboratory which analyzes approximately 20,000 samples a year.

As the CBP Group Leader, you will provide technical leadership and expertise to ongoing research efforts and collaborate with stakeholders to define and shape future research programs that leverage existing strengths and build new capabilities in chemical and biological processing. Working with experts across PNNL and in collaboration with our research partners in government, industry, academia, and at other National Laboratories, you will support efforts to build new, high visibility research programs that leverage CBP Group capabilities to meet the technology goals of the Department of Energy and other key stakeholders. As a line manager, you will be responsible for hiring, developing, and retaining a diverse staff of world class experts in chemical and biological processing; maintaining the PNNL’s reputation for high quality research and on-time delivery; and sustaining a strong safety culture.

Principal responsibilities include:

• Hire, develop, and enable world-class researchers.

• Assure safe, secure, effective, and compliant operations. Proactively mitigate hazards associated with work conducted by group staff. The group leader will be required to undergo training for managing the modular hydrothermal liquefaction system.

• Cultivate staff success through advancement of a supportive work environment where all staff are valued and respected.

• Establish a technical vision and direction for the group that includes both short-term financial investments and long-term investments in staff capabilities.

• Work with division directors, sector managers, and project management office directors to identify future resource requirements.

• Develop and implement a staffing plan to meet those resource requirements.

• Market the group capabilities to internal and external stakeholders, and support sector managers in external marketing efforts.

• Assure group staff contributions are appropriately recognized, publicized, and rewarded.

• Provide impactful performance feedback to staff members and support long-term professional development goals.

The GL and most of the staff in the CBP Group work in the Bioproducts, Sciences & Engineering Laboratory (BSEL) on the Washington State University – Tri-Cities (WSU-TC) Campus in Richland, Washington, where they collaborate with WSU-TC staff, who conduct similar research at BSEL. In addition, the GL works closely with the co-directors of the WSU-PNNL Bioproducts Institute ( https://natlab.wsu.edu/bioproducts/ ) to develop strategies and provide staff and capabilities to support the Institute’s goals and mission.

The position is comprised predominantly of research management responsibilities, with significant span of control and/or delegated authority and responsibility. These positions generally manage multi-disciplinary organizations through staff leaders or subordinate managers. Management decisions impact objectives, goals and long-term success of the organization and Laboratory.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 10 years work experience -OR-

• MS/MA or higher and 8 years of experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience relative to the principal responsibilities of the position.

• Strong, proven interpersonal communications, problem solving, and human relations skills.

• National reputation as an expert in catalysis, reactor design, or chemical and/or biological processing to produce fuels and chemicals from waste carbon and bio-based feedstocks, with significant line management experience in an R&D environment.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage people with a strong commitment to the mentoring and development of the next generation of scientists and engineers, and understanding the value of diversity and inclusion in a research environment.

• Excellent communication skills with a record of delivering effective and compelling written and oral communications to a broad range of audiences.

• Demonstrated high level of success in building research teams and new research capabilities over the course of their career.

• An advanced degree in engineering, chemistry, biology, or related field, with 8+ years of relevant research or industrial laboratory experience, including experience as a manager in a research or production environment.

• Established research record in the study of bio-based processing, as evidenced by a publication record of technical reports, peer-reviewed articles, presentations, and/or granted patents.

• Experience ensuring safe, secure, effective, and compliant operations. Ability to proactively mitigate hazards associated with experimental work conducted by Group staff.

• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing complex research operations in the laboratory and/or the field.

• Proven ability to develop and maintain relationships across multiple organizations/agencies, and to leverage those relationships to further group research goals and increase business volume.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable.

Additional Information

Not Applicable.

Testing Designated Position

Not a Testing Designated Position.

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, flexible work schedules and telework options. 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, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), 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 [email protected] .

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.

HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

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, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, 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 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

• Research Associates excluded.

**Once eligibility requirements are met.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards (https://careers.pnnl.gov/rockstar-rewards)

Minimum Salary

USD $170,300.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $255,500.00/Yr.