Group Lead, International Trade Outreach and Assessments

Requisition Id 14924 

Overview: 

We are currently seeking qualified applicants for a Group Leader of the International Trade Outreach and Assessments Group in the Safeguards and Treaty Verification Section within the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division. 

The NND is a division operating within the National Security Sciences Directorate at ORNL. A key mission of the NND is delivery of R&D needed to improve the protection of nuclear materials and fuel cycle technology and prevent the theft, diversion, and illicit use of those materials or technologies, while at the same time allowing for their peaceful use in the global arena. The division is responsible for a range of expertise, facilities, and equipment and applies these combined assets to address R&D and operational challenges related to nonproliferation, safeguards, treaty verification, counterproliferation, and global nuclear security. The division activities also play a vital role in implementation of national policy issues that strive to ensure global nuclear security.

The Safeguards and Treaty Verification Section focuses on enhancing scientific concepts, strategies, and technologies that will strengthen the capabilities of USG and international regimes (e.g., the IAEA and partner countries) to safeguard and secure nuclear material, commodities, and technologies from proliferation, enhance nuclear safety systems, and enhance treaty verification.

The International Trade Outreach and Assessments Group focuses on research and technical assessments of weapons of mass destruction technologies and commodities subject to export controls; provides technical analysis and guidance for USG policy development and law enforcement; and supports USG efforts to enhance partner country programs for nonproliferation including domestic and international strategic trade controls.

Some of the key areas with which the group is involved that you will be expected to both contribute and lead are:

• The evaluation of emerging proliferation threats, its magnitude and implications for the US and US interests worldwide, and the efficacy of national and multinational export controls for nuclear related equipment, materials and technologies;
• The evaluation of foreign military and civilian nuclear capabilities and the efficacy of international export control guidelines for nuclear and dual use (nuclear/non-nuclear or military/civilian) equipment including numerical controlled (NC) machine tools, materials, and technologies;
• The detailed development of sophisticated export control approaches, the role of national controls such as National Security Controls, Proprietary Information and Technology Controls, and other methods of prevention of loss of control of nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear weapons information;
• The development and integration of analysis tools and technical guides to enhance the recognition and identification skills of border security personnel responsible for interdicting illegal shipments of commodities useful in a nuclear weapons program;
• Represent the DOE/NNSA sponsor in technical cooperation venues with other nations involving export control discussions, border security issues, nuclear fuel cycle proliferation risks, and nuclear weapons development scenarios; and,
• Provide assistance in program management related tasks such as development of program plans, budget, and scheduling activities as requested
 

Purpose:

Provide leadership to the group that strategically advances science and technology consistent with ORNL’s aspiration to be the world’s premier R&D institution and ORNL’s science culture.

The R&D Group Leader brings together a group of peers with the primary goal of pursuing global scientific leadership in their field, nurtures ORNL’s culture among group members, and continues to build and scale up individual excellence and impact in R&D. The R&D Group Leader reports to and works closely with the R&D Section Head to implement the group’s scientific vision; develops group members to enable their career advancement; establishes capabilities that enable programs to excel at the forefront of science and technology; performs R&D to advance the field of knowledge and/or technology in one’s respective specialty; sets, implements, and models standards for performance of work consistent with Environment, Safety, Security, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) requirements and business rules; and ensures a diverse and inclusive work environment where every employee feels safe, heard, and appreciated—a workplace that sets an example for the broader community.

The National Security Sciences Directorate conducts research and development to confront some of the nation’s most difficult security challenges and adversaries.  Our directorate houses S&T leadership in cybersecurity and cyber-physical resiliency, data analytics, geospatial science and technology, nuclear nonproliferation, and high-performance computing for sensitive national security missions. We draw on the Laboratory’s exceptional facilities and work closely with leading researchers in other areas at the lab such as nuclear and chemical sciences and engineering, applied materials, advanced manufacturing, biosecurity, transportation, and computing.  Our multi-disciplinary research teams are passionate about discovery and innovation as we create science-based solutions to complex security threats that put public safety, national defense, energy infrastructure, and the economy at risk.

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Develop a vision and implement a cohesive group research strategy to ensure the success of new and ongoing research projects and applied technical support to position the group for future success.
• Develop and implement plans to exploit new opportunities and/or expand existing efforts.
• Develop, manage and execute projects that provide valued and timely deliverables supporting nuclear nonproliferation missions.
• Assist staff in setting performance goals consistent with the group’s strategy and members’ long-term career goals. Provide feedback to address performance issues in a timely manner.
• Provide relevant input to assist the R&D Section Head with staff development while providing direct and impactful guidance to staff on regular basis.
• Encourage staff to “think and dream big,” take appropriate risks in their work, and develop skills that will enable them to pursue new ideas, scientific passions, and research programs.
• Advance the reputation of the group members and standing of the group as a whole through establishing collaborations, Professional Society leadership and involvement, and organization of technical events.
• Support group members by consistently reviewing technical products such as proposals, publications, and artifacts to ensure high quality and consistency with ORNL standards.
• Attract a quality, diverse pool of top candidates and hire staff members who are committed to world-class R&D and aspire to be the best in their field.
• Lead by example by exercising the principles in ORNL’s “Research Code of Conduct” as a guide for proposing, performing, and communicating research.
• Coach and mentor staff regarding ORNL's "Safe Conduct of Research" principles. 
• Lead ESH&Q by example 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.
• Hold regular scientific/technical group meetings and be visible in the labs and workplace.
• Assume front-line responsibility for safety in the group’s laboratory; mentor and empower the Laboratory Space Managers to create a strong safety culture.

Basic Requirements:

• Requires a Ph.D. in a scientific or equivalent discipline with a minimum of 6 years relevant experience, a M.S. in a scientific or equivalent discipline with a minimum of 10 years experiences, or a B.S. in a scientific or equivalent discipline with a minimum of 12 years relevant experience.
• Qualified candidates should have demonstrated experience in leading R&D teams with a focus on nuclear nonproliferation. 
• An R&D track record in areas relevant to the specific R&D Group of interest
• Extensive knowledge of S&T issues associated with nonproliferation and counterproliferation.
• Demonstrated experience in program development, preferably with relevant offices within DOE and NNSA. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated leadership ability and a strong commitment to a teaming environment. 
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle and associated technologies and operations.
• Experience working for or collaborating with DOE National Laboratories (or similar R&D organizations).
• Extensive knowledge of strategic trade controls and NNSA’s Office of Nuclear Export Controls
• Experience in emerging technologies the export control challenges they present
• Experience in the US domestic export licensing process

Special Requirement:

This position involves interfacing with US and foreign scientists, engineers, and government officials. Domestic and foreign travel will be required. Strong written and oral communication skills are required. This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” clearance from the Department of Energy and the ability to qualify for additional access authorization. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

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.

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.