Physics Division Leader

We have an opening for a Division Leader (DL) to provide leadership, oversight, and management of the Physics Division. Staff in the division support all major Laboratory programs, including Strategic Deterrence (SD), National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS), and Global Security (GS), as well as programs funded by the DOE Office of Science and various non-DOE sponsors. The research activities of the Division include the use of state-of-the-art capabilities and unique resources to advance the frontiers of discovery and to understand physical systems in extreme environments, including high temperatures, high pressures, extreme magnetic fields, plasmas, and isolated quantum states. You will oversee an estimated $75M of programs and projects, including sponsored research, institutionally supported activities, and Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) projects. This position reports to the Principal Associate Director for Physical and Life Sciences (PLS).

You will

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and scientific and technical oversight to the Physics Division to ensure an effective approach to recruiting and hiring high quality scientific staff, and training and developing the existing staff. 
• Articulate the missions and develop the strategic plan for the Division that defines its core capabilities and future scientific directions; actively engage with LLNL discipline directorates and programs to deepen partnerships and ensure the synergy and complementarity of research activities. 
• Manage research and development activities in the Division in multiple research areas and ensure the creation, maintenance, and enhancement of underlying core competencies. 
• Oversee performance management and evaluation of all Division staff. This includes ongoing training and career development activities, yearly performance management, rating, and salary actions. 
• Oversee research commitments, program resources and multiple budgets including DOE, external programs, and internal science funding, ensuring all Laboratory and DOE fiscal policies and practices are followed. 
• Lead program development for the division and identify divisional staffing needs for current and future Laboratory programs, collaborating with leaders of other LLNL organizations. 
• Establish and enhance effective partnerships and directorate level interactions with sponsors of Physics programs; foster integration with relevant national and international scientific organizations and their activities, including workshop and conference sponsorship and major interactions and collaborations with universities, national labs and pertinent Physics science program sponsors at other DOE laboratories. 

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• PhD in a scientific discipline relevant to Physics Division research or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience, with technical expertise in one or more areas of Physics.  
• Record of scientific creativity, achievement, and leadership, as documented in publications and professional recognition; experience leading DOE and/or DOD funded projects and understanding of DOE and/or DOD strategic roadmaps.
• Extensive experience developing, managing, and evaluating programs, projects, and personnel in a technically diverse organization. 
• Ability to lead, motivate, delegate effectively and build large complex interdisciplinary teams to work toward programmatic and institutional goals. Team effectively with other Physical & Life Sciences (PLS) organizations to define and meet PLS strategic goals. 
• Extensive supervisory experience, including experience in development and implementation of performance reviews, rating, and salary management; demonstrated ability to set clear goals and expectations, and communicate them to customers and performers. 
• Expert experience interacting and negotiating at a high level with internal and external organizations and constituencies, with extensive experience working effectively in a high-impact, high-visibility, multi-task environment and the ability to lead a management team contributing to strategic planning. 
• Expert communication, facilitation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills necessary to direct an organization, lead innovative research and interact with management and customers/sponsors. 
• Extensive experience managing financial activities and ensuring program and overhead accounts are properly maintained and overseen according to LLNL and DOE fiscal policies and practices, coupled with extensive knowledge of managerial practices and experience effectively balancing budgets and complex workforce priorities to achieve desired results. 

Qualifications We Desire 

• Demonstrated understanding of a diverse laboratory and national research environment, and the ability to work within that environment towards long-range goals. 
• Familiarity with programs and core capabilities relevant to the Physics Division and sponsors. 

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

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