Senior Manager, Hydrogen Isotope Science

The Tritium Technology Division at SRNL seeks a Group Manager to lead its Hydrogen Isotope Science Group, a team of scientists, engineers and technicians working on hydrogen, deuterium and tritium. The selected candidate will set the group's technical direction, grow its research portfolio and keep its people and facilities safe and productive. This is a hands-on leadership role for a recognized technical expert who wants to build a team as much as a research program. The position reports to the Tritium Technology Division Director, within the Weapons Technology Directorate. The selected candidate will partner closely with program, operations and facility leaders across the lab.

About the group

The Hydrogen Isotope Science Group delivers science and engineering that underpin national security, fusion energy and the tritium supply. The R&D team works across four core areas:

• Hydrogen isotope science: fundamental behavior of protium, deuterium and tritium in gases, metals, hydrides and other materials, including sorption, diffusion, permeation and trapping.

• Processing: tritium handling, storage, purification, recovery and accountability, from bench scale to process-scale systems.

• Separations: isotope separation methods such as thermal cycling absorption, cryogenic distillation, gas chromatography, palladium-membrane and emerging approaches.

• Tritium effects on materials: aging and radiolytic effects, helium-3 generation and embrittlement, hydrogen-induced cracking and the long-term performance of metals, polymers and components.

• Hydrogen Storage: Characterization of hydrides upon prolonged exposure to tritium, testing and performance under relevant conditions.

The group operates specialized laboratories and tritium-capable facilities, and supports sponsors including DOE/NNSA, Office of Science, fusion energy programs and industry partners.

• Lead, mentor and develop a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, postdocs and technicians.
•  Recruit and retain top talent, and build succession for critical tritium skills.
• Set clear goals, run performance reviews and foster an inclusive, collaborative culture. 
• Execute a technical strategy across hydrogen isotope science, processing, separation and materials effects.
•  Grow the research portfolio by developing proposals and strengthening relationships with sponsors and partners.
• Integrate fundamental research with applied engineering to deliver on program commitments.
• Represent the lab in technical forums, review panels and sponsor meetings.
• Champion a strong safety culture, including radiological protection, ALARA practices and conduct of operations.
•  Ensure compliance with DOE orders, nuclear safety, environmental and security requirements, including tritium accountability.
• Oversee laboratory and facility readiness, work planning and control, and equipment investments.
• Manage the group's budget, staffing plans and cost, schedule and scope performance.
• Coordinate with line, program and facility management to balance workload and resources.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• PhD in chemistry, physics, materials science, chemical or nuclear engineering, or a related field, with 8+ years of relevant experience. (Or an MS with 12+ years, or a BS with 15+ years.)
• Recognized expertise in at least one core area: hydrogen isotope effects in materials, tritium processing, isotope separation, or tritium effects on materials.
• Track record of technical leadership shown through publications, patents, technical reports.
• Working knowledge of radiological safety and experience in a regulated or nuclear environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including with sponsors and non-specialists.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance (U.S. citizenship required). 
• Hands-on experience with tritium in gloveboxes, process systems or tritium facilities. 
• Breadth across more than one core area, such as separation and materials effects.
• Experience with metal hydrides, permeation barriers, helium-3 aging or hydrogen embrittlement.
• Experience managing R&D teams.
• Knowledge of DOE orders, nuclear facility safety bases and work planning and control.
• Works safely with particular attention to quality. Complies with all policies and standards. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior management experience working at a DOE laboratory.