Director of Accelerator Operations

Director of Accelerator Operations

Posted: 01/08/2026 | Salary: $136,400–$215,000 (SSE) / $136,400–$241,700 (SSS) |

Work Location:

Dedicated On‑site (100% on‑site work)

Provide strategic and tactical leadership of the operations of CEBAF in all technical areas and will be an integral part of the senior management team of the Accelerator Division. Responsible for the day‑to‑day operation of the CEBAF accelerator, technical supervision and guidance of all personnel from Operations and other departments within the Accelerator and Engineering Divisions engaged in supporting the safe operations of accelerator systems, as well as the long‑range planning of accelerator operations.

This includes creating and implementing a comprehensive vision for optimizing the reliability and performance of the accelerator, building on the recent 12 GeV energy upgrade and planning for the future experiments such as MOLLER which have higher demands on beam quality.

• Be responsible for the safe day‑to‑day operations of CEBAF
• Coordinate with supporting groups (e.g., CASA, CIS, SRF Ops, SRF S&T, EES, EHS&Q)
• Develop and implement the long‑range vision for the reliability and performance of CEBAF and beam quality programs for MOLLER and other projects
• Develop budgetary priorities for maintenance and improvements to CEBAF
• Provide oversight of LERF and UITF operations
• Communicate with DOE and Experimental Physics User’s Group
• Provide review briefings as required including, but not limited to the annual Budget Review and annual Science and Technology Review
• Serve as associate member of CASA, SRF S&T and SRF Ops departments

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering
• Education above the minimum may not be substituted for experience.

• 15 or more years in nuclear or particle accelerator physics
• 5 or more years direct experience in accelerator operations
• 3 or more years managerial responsibilities

• Ph.D. in Physics or equivalent
• Education above the minimum may not be substituted for experience.

• 15 or more years in nuclear or particle accelerator physics
• 5 or more years direct experience in accelerator operations
• 3 or more years managerial responsibilities

• Excellent communication and leadership skills and demonstrate good judgment
• Functional knowledge of operation of accelerators, beam dynamics in accelerators, and knowledge about functioning of all accelerator subsystems, including RF, magnets and power supplies, beam diagnostics, control systems, etc.
• Ability to give effective presentations to critical/high‑level customers and effectively represent work group on review panels and cross‑organizational teams
• Ability to write convincing proposals and reports with all necessary backup material for external consumption
• Advanced knowledge of applications of accelerator and experimental equipment and detector devices as they relate to nuclear physics research
• Advanced and demonstrated planning, budgeting, problem solving, decision making, analytical, communication, and presentation skills
• Developed leadership, managerial, interface, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills

Join a community with a common purpose of solving the most challenging scientific and engineering problems of our time. The Jefferson Lab campus is located in southeastern Virginia amidst a vibrant and growing technology community. A career at Jefferson Lab is more than a job. You will be part of “big science” and work alongside top scientists and engineers from around the world unlocking the secrets of our visible universe.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time‑off and Leave Programs (Paid Parental, vacation, holidays, and sick leave)
• 401(k) Plan – 9% Lab Contribution; 100% vested
• Flexible Work Arrangements (Remote & Alternate Work Schedules available)
• Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs
• Live near the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay region with access to nearby beaches, mountains, and all major metropolitan centers on the East Coast

JSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities (unless doing so will result in an undue hardship). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to recruiting or contact Human Resources by calling (757) 269‑7100 and selecting option 1 between 8 am–5 pm EST to provide the nature of your request.

Employment with JSA is conditional upon DOE approval if at any time during your employment you are participating in a Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Program or Affiliated activity.