Director, Electrification and Energy Infrastructures Division

Requisition Id 10131 

Overview: 

Leveraging the talents of its world-class researchers and exceptional support staff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is helping solve critical scientific and technical challenges and, in so doing, creating economic opportunity for the nation. ORNL provides access to unique facilities, laboratories, and equipment, drawing thousands of visiting researchers each year. A vibrant and welcoming scientific community, ORNL embraces the pursuit of innovative ideas and invests in its people to ensure their success. We seek an outstanding research and development (R&D) leader for the position of Director, Electrification and Energy Infrastructures Division (EEID).  The EEID includes a staff of 134 scientists, engineers, and support staff focusing on the R&D advancement of clean energy resources.  The EEID couples basic and applied research to discover, design, and develop new materials, electronic devices and systems, and processes to enable new and improved energy technologies and processes relevant to clean energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resource sustainability technologies.

EEID basic and applied research and development programs include the following thrust areas:

• Batteries and energy storage technologies
• Grid-scale electrical devices, systems, and systems-of-systems architectures
• Micro and power electronics for severe environmental conditions
• Sensors and control technologies for electric infrastructures, buildings-to-grid interfaces, and vehicle-to-grid integrations
• Modeling, simulation, and analytics of large-scale energy systems for system health monitoring and situational awareness
• Machine learning and artificial intelligence for autonomous systems control
• Data science and analytics for large-scale energy infrastructures
• Transactional controls for clean and energy efficient utilization of distributed energy resources

The EEID is well-aligned with key areas of excellence at ORNL.  The flagship facility is the Grid Research Integration and Deployment Center (GRID-C), a 52,000 square foot research and development facility supporting “electrification under one roof” for the thrust areas mentioned above.  The division works closely with peer divisions and centers/facilities within ORNL such as the National Transportation Research Center (NTRC) and the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) for cross-cutting research and development collaboration and integration.  Staff members within the EEID conduct both open science/engineering R&D as well as national security focused efforts.  The EEID is predominantly funded by the DOE but also has extensive collaborations with universities, industry, and Department of Defense laboratories.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Direct a leading energy systems and infrastructures research and development organization with broad capabilities in battery manufacturing; material sciences; advanced sensors design; control theory and applications; data science and systems analytics; power electronics design and development; large-scale energy systems modeling, analysis and situational awareness; energy transmission and distribution infrastructure; and cybersecurity for energy infrastructures.
• Drive a vision for electrification and clean-energy science and technology development across EEID and ORNL, identifying research opportunities in coordination with program offices and organizations inside and outside ORNL 
• Ensure a stimulating environment for creativity and R&D excellence that will attract and retain outstanding staff
• Identify opportunities to enhance capabilities with respect to hiring staff, procuring equipment, and space
• Foster clear communications within EEID and across ORNL, highlighting technical achievements and staff recognition, identifying opportunities, and addressing issues of importance for the organization
• Mentor staff for professional success
• Promote a culture of safety and security in the workplace
• Promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace

Basic Qualifications: 

• A PhD in Electrical Engineering, or closely related field
• A proven and demonstrated track record of successful research and development leadership
• A minimum of fifteen years of professional research experience beyond the doctorate in a university, industry, national laboratory, or federal government entity
• At least five years of experience leading multi-disciplinary research groups or organizations
• A distinguished record of research achievement, as evidenced by scholarly publications, patents, and funded research grants

Preferred Qualifications:

• A demonstrated record supporting the professional development of research staff and team research
• Fellow status in professional R&D society/organization
• Extensive experience identifying key expertise and assembling scientifically balanced research and development teams, with a focus on multi-disciplinary research groups or organizations
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to foster and maintain high standards in Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H) and Quality Assurance for Division’s activities
• The ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance

For more information about ORNL and the EEID, visit http://www.ornl.gov  and https://www.ornl.gov/division/eeid.

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.