Overview:
At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate (EBSD) leads critical research in four areas: Atmospheric, Climate & Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences, Environmental Molecular Sciences, and Global Change. Our vision is to develop a predictive understanding of biological and Earth systems in transition. We aim to understand energy and material flows within the integrated Earth system; to understand, predict, and control the response of biosystems to environmental and/or genomic changes; and to Model the Earth system from the subsurface to the atmosphere.
Rockstar Rewards:
Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
- Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
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Responsibilities:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking an accomplished scientific, technical, and organizational leader to serve as Division Director for the newly created Atmospheric and Earth Sciences Division and Sector Manager for the Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program within the newly formed Integrated Discovery Sciences Directorate (IDSD).
This senior leadership role will shape, steward, and grow PNNL’s atmospheric, terrestrial/coastal, and subsurface research capability in service to DOE Office of Science missions and broader national priorities. The Division Director will develop and maintain a highly productive technical resource base across atmospheric sciences, aerosols and cloud microphysics, subsurface-terrestrial-atmospheric interfaces, coastal and watershed systems, ecosystem sciences including soil and environmental microbiome systems, subsurface flow and transport phenomenon, water/nutrient/mineral cycles, managed and natural land mass systems, and integrated biology-Earth-energy intersections deeply integrated and driven by Model-guided Experimentation and field based research. The role will align division capabilities with Laboratory strategy, directorate priorities, sponsor needs, and project delivery requirements.
As Sector Manager for BER, the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership for PNNL’s BER portfolio, serving as a senior interface among PNNL researchers, directorate leadership, directorate program development office, BER division directors and program managers, other national laboratories, universities, industry, and external stakeholders. The role requires both scientific stature and operating discipline: the ability to define a compelling research strategy, build effective teams, manage risk, deliver mission outcomes, and represent PNNL’s atmospheric and Earth sciences capabilities with credibility at the national and international levels.
The selected leader will reinforce PNNL values, uphold the highest standards of research integrity and operational conduct, and foster a division culture where staff can do high-impact science in a safe, inclusive, and secure environment.
The Division Director and BER Sector Manager will be responsible for the following:
Strategic & Scientific Leadership
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Set and execute a mission‑aligned strategy advancing PNNL’s atmospheric, Earth systems, and environmental microbiome sciences.
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Define a clear division vision, goals, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with directorate and Laboratory strategies.
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Integrate atmospheric and Earths sciences with domain sciences across BER, BES, ASCR, and other sponsor portfolios synergistically.
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Represent division capabilities nationally and internationally; elevate PNNL’s reputation in atmospheric and aerosol-cloud microphysics, subsurface hydrobiogeochemistry, coastal and watershed systems, ecosystem and coupled terrestrial-atmospheric processes, environmental microbiomes, ModEx driven field-based research, and autonomous field based observational capabilities.
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Champion Laboratory‑level capability investments and ensure impactful scientific outcomes (publications, software, data products, awards, partnerships).
BER Sector Leadership
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Lead a unified BER strategy across IDSD and PNNL, including sponsor engagement, program development, proposal strategy, and long‑term capability planning that aligns with IDSD S&T strategic directions and advances.
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Build strong relationships with BER leadership and research communities across DOE, labs, academia, and federal agencies.
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Align PNNL capabilities with BER priorities in water for energy, biotechnology, dynamic interconnected biology-Earth-energy systems, and autonomous scientific discovery.
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Coordinate cross‑directorate proposals and programs linking atmospheric, Earth systems, and environmental biology with computing, physical, materials, human health, multi-scale/sector modeling, and energy sciences.
Capability Stewardship
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Plan and steward workforce, equipment, and strategic investments.
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Allocate resources to meet strategic priorities and sponsor commitments.
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Ensure capabilities are effectively deployed for projects, proposals, and emerging mission opportunities.
People & Culture
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Recruit, develop, and retain a diverse, high‑performing workforce.
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Strengthen expertise in emerging areas (AI for science, autonomous field-based discovery science, coupled biology-Earth-energy systems, connected subsurface-terrestrial/coastal/watershed-atmospheric interfaces, and advanced cloud microphysics).
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Develop technical leaders and future division leadership.
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Set expectations for hiring, development, assessment, promotion, and accountability.
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Maintain an inclusive, safe, collaborative environment rooted in research integrity and technical excellence.
Operations & Risk Management
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Drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, and disciplined business operations.
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Reinforce a culture of safety, security, compliance, and quality especially with respect to field-based research operations.
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Set and manage operational metrics and budgets; identify and mitigate division‑level risks.
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Ensure alignment with Laboratory requirements, procedures, and operational standards.
Institutional Engagement & Partnerships
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Build productive relationships across PNNL, DOE, PNSO, national labs, academia, industry, and stakeholders.
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Collaborate with division directors, project management leaders, chief scientists, and capability stewards to align capabilities with mission needs.
Influence directorate and Laboratory strategy and support business development to expand BER‑related impact and program growth.
About DOE BER and PNNL’s BER Program
The DOE Office of Science Biological and Environmental Research program supports research, enabling technologies, and facilities that discover and advance biosystems designs of increasing complexity from molecules to ecosystems, integrating environment, biology, and energy. BER invests in advancing predictive insights by uncovering how plants and microbes influence their environments, redesigning biological systems for energy and economic impact, and anticipating near‑term interactions across complex biological–earth–energy systems.
BER’s mission is closely aligned with PNNL’s strengths in integrated discovery science. The Laboratory’s BER-related work includes fundamental research in soil microbiome and ecosystem science, coastal and watershed systems, hydrobiogeochemistry, atmospheric sciences, aerosols and cloud microphysics, multi-scale/sector dynamics regional to Earth system modeling and emerging autonomous technologies that can change how science is performed. PNNL’s BER portfolio is a strategic element of the Integrated Discovery Science Directorate. It connects foundational environmental and biological research with mission-driven scientific applications, sponsor priorities, and Laboratory-scale capabilities. The Division Director and BER Sector Manager will be expected to strengthen this portfolio, grow PNNL’s national standing in advanced scientific computing, and ensure that PNNL delivers high-quality science, trusted execution, and measurable impact for DOE and the nation.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
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BS/BA and 12 years of relevant experience -OR-
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MS/MA or higher and 10 years of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
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Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences, Earth sciences, geology, geochemistry, ecology, biology, or a closely related field.
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A significant record of scientific and technical accomplishment in one or more fields relevant to environmental and Earth sciences, including soil sciences, environmental microbiome, subsurface hydrobiogeochemistry, aerosol and cloud microphysics, watershed/coastal systems, terrestrial-atmospheric interactions, scientific AI, or related areas.
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Recognized scientific or technical stature in areas directly relevant to DOE BER.
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Experience working with DOE Office of Science programs, national laboratory systems, multi-laboratory collaborations, or large federally sponsored research programs.
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Familiarity with BER program priorities in water for energy, coupled biology-Earth-energy systems, and environmental biology for biotechnology.
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Experience leading organizational change, including creation or realignment of research divisions, capability areas, centers, or cross-directorate programs.
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Demonstrated ability to connect environmental research to science drivers in chemistry, materials, biology, energy, or national security.
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Experience managing complex operational environments, including budgets, workforce planning, performance management, risk management, cyber and information stewardship, field-based research, and technical infrastructure.
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Experience developing diverse leadership pipelines and mentoring senior research staff, group leaders, early-career scientists, and technical managers.
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Experience building partnerships with universities, industry, national laboratories, federal agencies, and international scientific organizations.
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Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical and strategic topics to senior executives, sponsors, researchers, operations staff, and external stakeholders.
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment:
- Oversight of field-based research
Testing Designated Position (TDP):
This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
About PNNL:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity:
Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at
[email protected].
Drug Free Workplace:
PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement:
As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.
