Materials & Physical Data Group Leader; R&D Manager

What You Will Do

We are seeking an outstanding scientific leader to serve as the Group Leader for the Materials & Physical Data Group (XCP-5). XCP-5 is an interdisciplinary group which develops, implements, and validates constitutive models (material strength, damage and failure, etc.), equations of state (EOS), and physical data libraries including opacities and nuclear cross-sections for use in large-scale simulation codes. Additionally, some group members collaborate in the design and analysis of small-scale and integral validation experiments for material models and physical data.

XCP-5 offers an exciting, flexible, scientifically challenging work environment with many opportunities to collaborate with the broader LANL scientific community.

As Group Leader, you would be responsible for the scientific direction of the group, delivering high-quality science, while maintaining an active research program that aligns with the group’s mission. You will manage a large research portfolio across multiple technical areas and multiple programmatic sponsors. Your teams will work in close partnership with teams from across the Laboratory, including theoretical research, software development, and weapons design teams.

Additionally, the XCP-5 Group Leader will collaborate with the XCP division leadership team in the areas of strategy planning, organizational direction, and execution. The research and analysis work of XCP-5 supports a variety of Laboratory missions, including nuclear weapon design, certification, and assessment, experimental modeling and analysis, and global security. Currently, XCP-5 maintains a budget of ~$20M and consists of ~25 staff scientists, ~10 postdoctoral research associates, and a vibrant student and guest scientist population.

• Technical Expertise:
  Demonstrated expertise and record of accomplishment in one or more physics areas relevant to XCP-5, supported by publications, presentations, software, or other evidence of completed work.
• Talent Acquisition and Growth:
  Experience in recruiting, building technical capabilities, staff development, and facilitating the technical work of scientific researchers at all levels. Direct experience successfully mentoring is required.
• Leadership:
  Demonstrated ability to lead with integrity and decisiveness towards organizational and institutional goals. Experience in strategic program development, leadership, and execution, preferentially within a multidisciplinary scientific or technical team or project setting.
• Communication and
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Demonstrated ability to effectively present technical work and concepts to others, including nontechnical audiences. Strong collaborative and relationship-building skills that promote the careers of staff, postdoctoral researchers, and students while creating a positive work environment.
• Education/
  
  Experience:
  
  Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution and 8 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

• Vision for XCP-5: A vision for organizational evolution and program development that supports and enhances all capabilities and sub‑teams within the group.
• LANL Weapons Physics Knowledge:
  Knowledge of LANL line management/program management interactions and roles & responsibilities, plus knowledge of the activities, needs, and workflow of the nuclear weapons physics applications community.
• International Research Portfolio:
  Citations, honors, and/or participation in national/international committees in one or more physics areas relevant to XCP-5.
• Multi-Physics Codes Knowledge:
  Demonstrated knowledge of multi-physics codes, including their strengths, weaknesses, and long-term physics capability needs.
• Ph.D. in science or engineering in a specialization relevant to XCP-5 is strongly preferred.

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only…