Career Center

PURPOSE: 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking science and technology leaders for our advanced composites research and development program in the Manufacturing Science Division.  Due to program growth, we are restructuring our current Advanced Composites Manufacturing Group into three research and development groups with the following group names and technical themes:

• Extreme Environment Composites Group
  • materials for harsh environments, carbon-carbon composites, ceramic composites
• Sustainable Manufacturing Technology Group
  • biomaterials for composites, bio-polymers, recyclability, sustainability
• Integrated Processes Manufacturing Group
  • advanced manufacturing processes, composites characterization methodologies, quality control via digital thread

ORNL is seeking a Group Leader to lead the Extreme Environment Composites Group.  ORNL is also seeking Group Leaders for the Sustainable Manufacturing Technology Group and Integrated Processes Manufacturing Group [see posting “Group Leaders for Advanced Composite Manufacturing Section"].

OVERVIEW:  

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is home to two signature manufacturing user facilities of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF, www.ornl.gov/facility/mdf) and the Carbon Fiber Technology Facility (CFTF, www.ornl.gov/facility/cftf).  Our research and development in the Manufacturing Science Division (MSD) at ORNL is conducted at these world-class facilities in close collaboration with industry stakeholders and partner universities.  Program goals include: energy efficiency for manufacturing processes, strengthening U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing, achieving sustainable manufacturing from renewable feedstocks through end-of-life recyclability, enabling cost-effective manufacturing of clean energy technologies, defining process control methodologies to enable advanced quality control, definition of commercial feasibility via life-cycle and techno-economic analyses, workforce development, national security and more.  The research is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Manufacturing Office as well as other entities including other federal agencies and industry (often via Cooperative Research and Development Agreement mechanisms).  ORNL’s manufacturing program also leverages extensive capabilities in materials science, neutron sciences, and computational science in ORNL’s science programs.  The ecosystem for science, innovation, and technology advancement to point of transfer to industry is dynamic, energetic, and unique with a history of impact achieved through continued dedication along the innovation-to-commercialization technology cycle.

ORNL’s unique facilities enable composites R&D including fiber manufacturing using a variety of pre-cursors, intermediate feedstock manufacturing, rapid processes such as injection molding and compression molding as well as advanced additive manufacturing. Recycling facilities are located on site to allow re-manufacturing of petroleum derived as well as bio-derived materials. Manufacturing equipment of various scales for fiber, intermediate feedstock and part fabrication is in place to rapidly perform science necessary for scale-up of relevant technologies to enable transition to industry or national security related entities. The growing composites manufacturing R&D team at ORNL has received numerous awards for generating early stage concepts at laboratory level, scaling, and rapidly transitioning new manufacturing technology to partners and sponsors.

The successful candidate will lead a team of 8-12 researchers with diverse backgrounds and capabilities to achieve impactful outcomes in advanced composites manufacturing.  The position is a hybrid position consisting of technical leadership and performance as well as people leadership and management responsibilities, but the emphasis is on team science – our cornerstone of success.  Roles and responsibilities and qualifications are listed below.

Candidates selected for the interview process will be expected to provide a seminar presentation representing their technical accomplishments as well as their vision for the group.  External applicants will be briefed on the organizational structure and program in a pre-interview meeting to provide adequate background to present a vision during the interview process.

MAJOR DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead research programs in advanced composites manufacturing
• Lead people and cross-disciplinary teams
• Collaborate across division and directorate organizations within ORNL
• Develop and foster collaborations with external entities including industry, university, and other national labs
• Recruit and hire diverse talent
• Mentor, coach, and develop staff including promoting staff for career advancement and opportunities
• Ensure safe operations and compliance to environmental, health, and safety policies
• Conduct nationally recognized research with outcomes as measured by publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at major conferences, and development and transfer of technology innovations
• Actively participate in technical profession societies and associated conferences and forums
• Represent ORNL and programs to sponsors and external stakeholders
• Lead business development thrusts including research proposals and development of diverse proposal teams
• Ensure efficient and timely utilization of space and budget resources