Director of Accelerator Operations

At Jefferson Lab, you’ll champion cutting-edge science and operational excellence while shaping the future of discovery. Join us and make your mark – where excellence meets purpose, and great minds matter. Salary Range: $139,400 – $247,000 (SSS) What Your Job Will Be Like The Accelerator Operations, Research and Development Division operates the 12GeV Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) in support of the experimental nuclear physics program and user community, numbering more than 1,600 scientists. In addition, the Division develops and fabricates superconducting accelerating RF cavities and cryomodules for CEBAF as well as for other national facilities, performs R&D at the Low Energy Recirculator Facility (LERF) and Upgraded Injector Test Facility (UITF), engages in advanced accelerator technology development, and is working, in collaboration with national and international labs, on Electron Ion Collider design. The Accelerator Operations Department is responsible for providing safe and efficient delivery of high quality beams for JLAB’s nuclear and accelerator physics programs. The Director of Accelerator Operations will 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. The successful candidate will take responsibility 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 recent12GeV energy upgrade and planning for the future experiments such as Moller which have higher demands on beam quality. The incumbent will continue the ongoing efforts towards reliability, where reliability is an integral part of the design and implementation of new hardware, as well as developing a maintenance program focused on improving availability. Another major thrust is to ensure that the full energy of the machine is achieved, and then maintained with sufficient performance margin. In This Job You Will 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. Develop and implement 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 Users Group. Provide review briefings as required, including the annual Budget Review and annual Science and Technology Review. Lead – Supervisory – Management Develop and implement staffing plans. Oversee performance management. Plan and implement staff development program. Develop and execute Department’s budget. Optimize distribution of monetary resources to effectively and efficiently attain Department goals. Long‑term budget planning. Experience Required: 15 or more years in nuclear or particle accelerator physics. Required: 5 or more years of direct experience in accelerator operations. Required: 3 or more years of managerial responsibility. Education Required: Ph.D. in Physics or equivalent. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 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 sub‑systems, including RF, magnets and power supplies, beam diagnostics, control systems, etc. Able to give effective presentations to critical/high‑level customers and effectively represent work group on review panels and cross‑organizational teams. Can 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. About Jefferson Lab 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. Managed by SURATech, LLC, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is entering an exciting period of mission growth and is seeking new team members ready to apply their skills and passion to have an impact. You could call it work, or you could call it a mission. We call it a challenge. We do things that will change the world. Total Rewards at Jefferson Lab Benefits At Jefferson Lab, we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to: 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. SURATech, LLC manages and operates the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab). SURATech is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SURATech is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for people 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 View email address on click.appcast.io or contact Human Resources by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io and selecting option1 between 8 am – 5 pm EST to provide the nature of your request. Employment with SURATech 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. Generally, such programs/activities include any foreign‑state‑sponsored attempt to acquire U.S.-funded scientific research through programs run or funded by the government that target scientists, engineers, students, academics, researchers, and entrepreneurs of all nationalities working or educated in the United States. This includes positions or appointments, both domestic and foreign, titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments whether or not remuneration is received and whether full‑time, part‑time or voluntary. #J-18808-Ljbffr