Section Head - Building Envelopes and Analysis

Date: Feb 3, 2025

Location: Knoxville, TN, US, 37931

Company: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Requisition Id 14495 

Overview:  

We are seeking a scientist/engineer/analyst to lead world class capabilities for energy science and technology associated with the ORNL and DOE missions. You will initiate, lead, and deliver R&D programs and initiatives on an ongoing basis. Selection will be based on qualifications, relevant experience, skills, and education. The Building Envelopes and Analysis Section Head within the Buildings and Transportation Science Division (BTSD) will be responsible for leading a team of researchers focused on the development and integration of novel envelope materials, advanced construction methods, building energy models, analytical tools, and grid-interactive technologies to enable affordable, efficient, and resilient buildings.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

The R&D Section Head works closely with the Division Director, section Group Leaders, the Building Technologies Program Director, and other directorate leadership to:

  • Establish and implement the science and technology directions for the section.
  • Support the Group Leaders to ensure their success and the success of the R&D groups as world-recognized leaders in their fields.
  • Collaborate to maintain cutting-edge research facilities in ORNL’s Building Technologies Research and Integration Center (BTRIC).
  • Identify links to current and future funding opportunities and R&D programs.
  • Lead proposals and other business development opportunities.
  • Mentor section staff in their career development.
  • demonstrate proper environment, safety, health, quality, and security practices.
  • Ensure an inclusive work environment where every employee feels safe, heard and appreciated—a workplace that sets an example for the broader community.
  • Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Leadership:

  • Work closely with the Division Director and Group Leaders within the section to develop a vision and implement a strategy to pursue world-leading science and technology directions for the section
  • Demonstrate cross-functional team leadership.
  • Support Division Director in the operations of the division and represent Director when Director is not available.
  • Work with section Group Leaders to establish, communicate, and measure critical metrics for success and impact.
  • Actively contribute to shaping the division’s, directorate’s, and laboratory’s research plans and investments.
  • Build strong teams by collaborating across ORNL and securing external expertise when needed.
  • Collaborate with division and directorate staff and support organizations to maintain cutting-edge research facilities in ORNL’s Building Technologies Research and Integration Center (BTRIC).
  • Leverage other ORNL facilities and resources when developing new projects.
  • Work with the Group Leaders and the Division Director to assess and calibrate individual staff performance across the section; evaluate progress regularly, provide feedback, and address performance issues in a timely manner.
  • Develop and implement Succession Planning with input from Group Leaders for all critical positions in the section.
  • Ensure groups are recruiting and hiring from a diverse pool of top candidates who are committed to world-class research and aspire to be the best in their field.
  • Approve job offers.
  • Drive staff promotions and development.
  • Address in a timely manner all concerns expressed by staff and any disciplinary actions.
  • Lead by example, using the principles in ORNL’s “Research Code of Conduct” as a guide for proposing, performing, and communicating research and in dealing with others.
  • Employ best practices, such as holding regular meetings, being visible in the workplace, monitoring budgets, acknowledging sponsors, and adhering to ORNL business systems requirements.
  • Coach and mentor staff regarding Battelle’s “Safe Conduct of Research” principles and ensure all work is carried out safely, securely, and in compliance with ORNL policies, standards, and procedures.
  • Exemplify a commitment to “One ORNL” by modeling lab expectations for excellence in research, operations, and community engagement, and by working cooperatively to leverage capabilities across the lab.

 

Service:

  • Serve as direct supervisor for section Group Leaders.
  • Counsel/consult/mentor staff and transfer specialized knowledge. 
  • Support staff development of personal networks.
  • Assist Group Leaders (and R&D staff when appropriate) in setting long-term career goals.
  • Identify additional mentors as appropriate and engage senior staff to act in this capacity.  
  • Be open, transparent, and timely in communicating information to section and to stakeholders.
  • Work with Group Leaders to ensure staff are participating actively in professional service (engagement in scientific societies, workshop and conference organization, peer review, advisory board membership, etc.).
  • Contribute to professional organizations through active participation and leadership.
  • Advocate for and support internal and external recognition of staff achievements.
  • Communicate funding/proposal opportunities to staff and support proposal development as appropriate (mentoring, proposal reviews, budget preparation, etc.).
  • Ensure that staff manage their research projects effectively to deliver results on scope, schedule, and budget while meeting scientific, technical, and business expectations. 
  • Effectively communicate the importance of protecting proprietary or sensitive information and complying with ORNL cybersecurity policies and guidelines.
  • Recognize and support the contributions and responsibilities of Group Leaders and Laboratory Space Managers to lab safety.

 

Accountabilities:

  • To section staff, for the quality and safety of their work environment and opportunities for professional growth.
  • To organization managers, for science and technology vision and strategy; safe, effective, and compliant operations; world-leading facilities and capabilities; and quality of R&D outputs.
  • To sponsors and partners, for quality of R&D outputs.

 

Authorities:

  • Develop a vision and implement a strategy to pursue world-leading science and technology directions for the section.
  • Hire group leaders.
  • Hold group leaders accountable for performance.
  • Act to ensure safe and effective operations.

 

Basic Qualifications:

  • Requires a Ph.D. with a minimum of 12 years relevant experience, a M.S. with a minimum of 16 years’ experience, or a B.S. with 20 years of relevant experience.
  • You should have demonstrated experience in leading R&D teams

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory. 
  • Experience writing successful R&D proposals to government agencies.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with senior levels of client management and others involved in technical endeavors.
  • Demonstrated ability to write research plans, technical reports, and scientific publications. 
  • A successful record of developing research partnerships and collaborative relationships with universities, industry, and research laboratories.

 

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

 

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

 

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

 

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

 

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.


If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.


ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.


Nearest Major Market: Knoxville