Section Head, Data and AI Systems Research

Requisition Id 16046 

­­Overview:

The Computer Science and Mathematics Division (CSMD) is seeking an internationally recognized and research active computational scientist to lead and grow world class research capabilities focused on solving the world’s most challenging problems through artificial intelligence and data driven algorithms and systems.

CSMD creates the mathematics, artificial intelligence, and architecture-aware algorithms that harness machines, ideas, and data to enable far reaching scientific breakthroughs. We develop computer innovations and advanced practical tools to address scientific discovery, technology and national security challenges. CSMD delivers fundamental and applied research capabilities in a wide range of areas, including applied mathematics and computer science, decision science, discrete algorithms, multiscale methods, experimental computing systems, scalable algorithms and systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning, data management, workflow systems, analysis and visualization technologies, programming systems and environments, and system science and engineering.

The Data and AI Systems Research Section has capabilities in the following areas:

• Learning Systems — Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and data analysis at scale.
• Visualization — Methods, tools, and technologies for visual data analysis.
• Workflow Systems — Large scale data management, workflow, and data compression.
• Data Engineering — Engineering data assets and systems, including data wrangling and system design, to drive scientific innovation.
• Performance Engineering — Engineering and management of secure systems.

Purpose:

As part of our research team, you will provide Research and Development (R&D) leadership to a thematic area of science and technology that integrates several thematically aligned R&D groups consistent with ORNL’s aspiration to be the world’s premier R&D institution and ORNL’s science culture.

The R&D Section Head is an internationally recognized research leader with broad scientific influence across the national research funding agencies, who works closely with the Division Director and section Group Leaders to establish and implement the science and technology directions for the section; support the Group Leaders build upon their existing research portfolio and to ensure their success and the success of the R&D groups as world-recognized leaders in their fields; ensure that staff members understand business opportunities; identify links to current and future funding opportunities and R&D programs; develop and implement consistent processes for the peer-review of proposals consistent with lab standards; model proper Environment, Safety, Security, Health, and Quality practices.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Research:

• Scientists and engineers who have significantly advanced knowledge and impact in their respective field. Their work directly impacts the present or future of the laboratory in significant ways. Initiates, leads and performs R&D programs and initiatives on an ongoing basis.

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. Leverage 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, providing feedback and addressing performance issues in a timely manner.
• Develop and implement Succession Planning with input from Group Leaders for all critical positions in the section to ensure future success.
• Ensure groups are recruiting and hiring from a robust 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 regarding staff requests for foreign travel and submission of quality proposals.
• 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.
• Model 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 knowledge of specialized field(s) to a variety of staff, including senior staff.
• Connect staff to your network. 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 and transparent in communicating information to your groups and communicate staff achievements and changes to stakeholders in a timely manner.
• 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.).
• Advocate for and support internal and external recognition of staff achievements. Ensure the Section’s external professional presence is strong.
• 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.
• Align 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.

Accountabilities:

• To section staff, for the quality and safety of their work environment and opportunity for professional growth.
• To organization managers, for world-leading science and technology directions, safe effective, and compliant operations, ownership of assigned staff, facilities, and equipment, and the quality of products and services.
• To customer, for the quality of products and service.

Authorities:

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

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in computer science, computer engineering, applied mathematics, or a related field with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience.
• Strong record of scientific achievement as evidenced through publications, software, patents, or impactful R&D outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience in leading R&D teams.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively leading and managing technical personnel.
• Demonstrated experience in following established guidelines and meeting deadlines consistently to ensure efficient organizational operation.
• A background that includes research experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI), as evidenced by a strong record of research publications and presentations.
• A background that includes research experience in scientific data management, as evidenced by a strong record of research publications and presentations.
• The proven ability to positively interact with researchers, program managers, and ORNL leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge and experience developing and applying modern AI methods, including machine learning, deep learning, foundation models, agentic AI systems, graph neural networks, and knowledge‑graph–based reasoning.
• Familiarity with integrating AI into scientific workflows at scale.
• Leadership in the AI field and strong connections to ORNL and academic AI researchers.
• 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.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.
• Evidence of leadership at a DOE laboratory or in a similar external environment and high potential for further leadership development.
• Experience recruiting, hiring, and mentoring staff members.
• Experience crafting and executing strategies as part of a diverse and cohesive team of managers.
• Ability to connect to ORNL's missions and transition research into use.
• Ability to work in collaborative, interdisciplinary research environments on problems from diverse application domains and in partnership with specialists in other domains.
• Established relationships with federal program managers, industry partners, and academic collaborators.
• Leadership in professional communities as evidenced via activities such as participation in professional organizations, organizational activities, etc.
• Experience leading or contributing to complex software projects.
• Active DOE Q clearance.

Special Requirements:

• HSPD-12 PIV badge: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
• Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
• For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.
• Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
• 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.

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.

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.