Chief Science and Technology Officer

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 National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex,real-world threats to our nation and the world.

The Chief Scientist and Technology Officer (CSTO) is a key member of the National Security Directorate (NSD) Leadership Team and a critical contributor to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's (PNNL) science and technology enterprise. Reporting to the NSD Associate Laboratory Director (ALD), the CSTO is responsible for developing and executing a science and technology (S&T) strategy that positions NSD—and PNNL—at the forefront of the capabilities required to meet the current and future mission needs of our diverse federal sponsors. Success in this role requires the ability to operate with agility in a fast-paced and continually evolving national security landscape, self-navigate complex scientific and mission environments, and drive progress even in conditions of high ambiguity or incomplete information.

Working in close partnership with directorate leadership, the CSTO builds and nurtures the distinctive S&T capabilities that differentiate NSD, fosters an environment of innovation and rigorous scientific inquiry, and engages directly with technical staff to cultivate a culture of excellence, scholarship, and impact. The CSTO must be passionate about creating an environment within NSD that develops our staff to rise to the top of their fields and deliver on the nation's most important national security challenges, while modeling a nimble, adaptive leadership style that responds quickly to emerging priorities.

At the laboratory level, the CSTO partners with CSTO peers from other directorates and collaborates with CSTO peers and Program Development Office (PDO) Directors across the directorates as part of the Science and Technology Council, under the leadership of PNNL's Deputy Director for Science and Technology to drive a lab-wide science agenda. Together, they shape and execute the strategy to develop cutting-edge S&T capabilities that span the basic-to-applied research continuum and address the breadth of federal sponsor mission needs across the Laboratory.

NSD's distinctive strengths in artificial intelligence and data sciences, applied mathematics, radiochemistry and nuclear science, and chemical and biological detection and forensics are central to serving our sponsors' missions. While deep expertise is not required in all research areas, the CSTO must be able to learn and converse across diverse technical domains, work effectively with teams of S&T leaders to deliver compelling mission-based outcomes, and anticipate where sponsors' greatest challenges will emerge in the future—using discretionary investments to build a strategy aligned with the mission of tomorrow and anticipating area of significant technical and scientific disruption. The role requires an agile mindset capable of rapidly assimilating new scientific information and adapting strategies in response to shifting mission drivers and priorities.

Responsibilities

The overarching responsibilities and accountabilities of the CSTO include, but are not limited to:

Strategy Development and Execution

• Develop, communicate, and execute the NSD S&T strategy in partnership with the ALD, PDO, line management, and technical staff, ensuring alignment with current and future federal sponsor mission needs.
• Build organizational consensus for the NSD S&T strategy and steward its execution across the directorate.
• Steward and manage directorate overhead and discretionary investments to deliver on strategic objectives and measurable outcomes.
• In partnership with PDO, anticipate future sponsor challenges and shape investments that position NSD to lead in emerging mission-relevant S&T domains.

Laboratory-Level S&T Leadership

• Collaborate with CSTO peers across PNNL, under the leadership of the Deputy Director for Science and Technology, to drive a lab-wide science agenda and develop cutting-edge capabilities applicable to the full range of federal sponsor missions—from basic to applied research.
• Support lab-level S&T planning activities and coordinate investments that address interdisciplinary challenges of shared importance across directorates.
• Represent NSD's scientific interests and contributions in lab-wide strategic planning forums.

Culture, Staff Development, and Scientific Excellence

• Foster an environment of innovation, rigorous scientific inquiry, scholarship, and excellence across NSD.
• Engage NSD staff at all levels, empowering a creative, productive, and innovative research environment.
• Promote a culture of mentoring, coaching, and career advancement, working in partnership with line management to develop staff.
• In partnership with line management, create and sustain a pipeline of outstanding scientists and engineers who can advance through the research ranks and assume future leadership roles.
• Champion a culture that thrives on applying fundamental science to drive transformational applied outcomes for sponsor missions.

External Engagement and Partnerships

• Develop and build strategic partnerships within PNNL, other national laboratories, and federal sponsors to advance the NSD S&T agenda.
• In partnership with the DDS&T office, develop and build partnerships with universities and industry to advance the NSD S&T agenda.
• Represent PNNL's strategic capabilities and outcomes to external stakeholders, sponsors, and partners.
• Participate at the national and international level in professional societies, conferences, symposia, and committees to foster awareness and recognition of PNNL's strengths and capabilities.
• Facilitate the directorate’s advisory committee. Leverage this senior executive committee to refine NSD strategy and position NSD for continued high-impact mission-aligned S&T investments.
• Communicate NSD's strategy and the scientific and mission successes that result from it.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 15 years of relevant experience; OR
• MS/MA or higher and 13 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Data Sciences, Computational or Physical Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience setting vision, strategy, objectives, and priorities to enhance organizational S&T performance.
• Experience working with national security, physical, and/or computational sciences mission science, stakeholders, and federal sponsors.
• Experience leading and managing large, complex programs and organizations.
• A career that has included leadership of a demonstrably high-impact R&D program, research network, or multi-institutional program.
• Evidence of S&T breadth and demonstrated ability to learn, engage, and lead across new and emerging technical domains.
• Demonstrated ability to foster cultures of innovation, scholarship, and inclusive excellence among research staff.
• Strong record of external engagement, scientific visibility, and partnership development with peer institutions, universities, industry, and sponsors.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

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.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

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 at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day.

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.

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Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $236,300.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $373,400.00/Yr.