Section Head, Accelerator R&D, Accelerator Division, FIP

Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Fundamental Interactions and Particles (FIP) Directorate advances the Lab’s mission in accelerator science, nuclear physics, particle physics, and the successful delivery of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). The Accelerator Division provides scientific leadership for accelerator operations, research and development, and the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of future accelerator facilities. The Accelerator R&D Section leads beam physics, AI/ML, beam cooling, and polarimetry to support the EIC and the existing Hadron Injector Complex in collaboration with the EIC Project, accelerator operations, engineering organizations, and national and international partners.

About the Role

The Section Head, Accelerator R&D reports to the Accelerator Division Director and provides scientific and administrative leadership for the Accelerator R&D Section. The role includes line management of the Accelerator Physics, Beam Cooling, and Polarimetry Groups, ensuring the successful execution of research, engineering, and operational activities in support of the Electron-Ion Collider and the Laboratory’s broader accelerator programs.

Responsibilities

• Establish the strategic vision, organizational structure, workforce plans, and management systems for the Accelerator R&D Section.
• Provide direct line supervision of the Accelerator Physics, Beam Cooling, and Polarimetry Group Leaders.
• Recruit, mentor, develop, and evaluate scientific staff.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing organizational culture.
• Promote operational excellence and continuous improvement throughout the Section.
• Provide scientific leadership for existing FIP facilities, including polarization preservation, and select/manage Liaison Physicists.
• Lead accelerator physics and systems supporting the Electron-Ion Collider.
• Oversee activities related to beam dynamics, beam cooling, beam-matter interactions, polarimetry, and accelerator performance optimization.
• Develop future upgrades of the EIC accelerator complex and Hadron Injector complex, including design, commissioning, operation, and upgrades.
• Define technical requirements for the Section’s work and ensure it meets performance, quality, and reliability standards.
• Ensure the safe operation and performance of existing accelerators within the FIP Directorate.
• Support the successful delivery of the EIC Project by providing technical expertise and organizational leadership.
• Coordinate Section activities with EIC System Managers, project engineers, accelerator operations, and other technical organizations.
• Participate in technical reviews, risk management, readiness reviews, and change control activities.
• Ensure effective planning and execution of Section work within approved schedules and resources.
• Foster collaborations across Brookhaven National Laboratory and with DOE laboratories, universities, and international research institutions.
• Represent the Section at technical reviews, scientific meetings, and collaborative working groups.
• Promote scientific excellence through research publications, presentations, and professional engagement.
• Ensure all Section activities comply with Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) requirements.
• Integrate safety into all aspects of research, engineering, commissioning, and operations.
• Promote responsible stewardship of personnel, facilities, equipment, and financial resources.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Accelerator Physics, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in accelerator science, accelerator physics, or accelerator engineering, including at least 6 years of demonstrated leadership/management experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary scientific teams.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: beam physics, beam cooling, beam dynamics, beam instrumentation, beam diagnostics, polarimetry, or accelerator systems.
• Experience supporting the design, commissioning, operation, or upgrade of complex accelerator facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage scientific and technical programs, personnel, and resources.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical and organizational issues to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to working safely, acting ethically, and taking personal accountability for operational excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large DOE Office of Science accelerator facilities or construction projects, including project governance, earned value management systems, configuration management, risk management, quality assurance, and project performance reporting.
• Experience with collider accelerators and Electron-Ion Collider technologies.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary scientific collaborations.
• International recognition in accelerator science or accelerator technology.

Other Information

• Position requires full-time on-site presence.
• Occasional domestic and international travel is required.
• Participation in accelerator commissioning, installation campaigns, and technical reviews may require flexible work schedules.
• Requires ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12).
• Requires REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation for site access.

Pay

The full salary range for this position is $184,400 - $306,100 per year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualifications, education, and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Benefits

Brookhaven National Laboratory offers a comprehensive employee benefits program, including health, retirement, and work-life balance initiatives. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program.