The posting
Job Description
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.
Responsibilities
- 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.
Qualifications
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.
About Us
"We put science to work!"
Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is a multi-program laboratory applying state of the art science and practical, high-value, cost-effective solutions to complex technical problems to protect the nation. Located at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken SC, the laboratory develops and deploys innovative technologies to address some of the nation’s environmental, energy, and national security challenges.
Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA) is constantly assessing trends to provide the best possible benefits to our workforce. We also negotiate cost effective premiums that will meet the needs of our evolving workforce.
Some of the *Benefits offered to employees include:
*Benefits vary based upon employment status
- Highly competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision options including HSA options with company provided seed
- Short- & Long-Term Disability (company paid)
- Life Insurance Non-Contributary 1X salary (company paid)
- AD&D Non-contributary 1x salary (company paid)
- Savings & Investment plan:
- Qualified Non-Elective Company Contribution of 5% each pay period with immediate vesting Company match 50 cents/dollar up to 8% (5 yrs. vesting in company match)
- Contributory Life Insurance up to 5x Salary with $1M Cap
- Contributory AD&D (employee, spouse and children)
- Paid Time Off
- Employee Assistance Plan
- SRNL offers a competitive relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions.
For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the “About” tab at www.srnl.doe.gov.
BSRA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. BSRA is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. Please email us at [email protected] with any questions regarding the hiring process or to request an accommodation.
Weapons Production Technology (WPT) is a world leader in tritium fuel cycles with a strong industrial partnership, including most private companies working on fusion research. WPT also leads the Tokomak Exhaust System Development Project for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. The staff of 300 in this vibrant organization are leading the frontiers of tritium effects on materials, hydrogen science, fusion related research, plutonium metallurgy, sensing and metrology, advanced engineering, and advanced manufacturing.
