Deputy Laboratory Director - Science and Technology

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National Renewable Energy Laboratory

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Golden, CO, United States

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Posting Title
Deputy Laboratory Director - Science and Technology
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Location
CO - Golden
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Position Type
Regular
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Hours Per Week
40
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Working at NREL
NREL is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.
Join NREL, where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NREL stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.
At NREL, you’ll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.
Job Description
NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for energy systems. With a focus on security and reliability, NREL leads energy systems innovation and integration – enhancing existing technologies and developing cutting-edge solutions that unlock economic opportunity and fuel America’s global competitiveness. NREL bridges foundational research with practical applications to integrate various energy sources, storage, buildings, transportation, and emerging technologies. By fostering strategic partnerships, NREL accelerates energy innovation to market and delivers resilient systems that lower costs, bolster national security, and ensure abundant energy.

The Deputy Laboratory Director of Science and Technology (DDST) serves as a key executive leader, Alliance for Sustainable Energy board member, and NREL’s Chief Research Officer. Working in close partnership with the Laboratory Director, Deputy Director of Operations and senior leadership throughout the laboratory, the DDST shapes the laboratory’s scientific strategy, ensures excellence across research programs, and fosters partnerships that expand NREL’s impact on the national and international stage.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

  • Leads efforts to establish a shared vision and strategy for innovation for the laboratory providing inspiration to all levels of staff.
  • Serves as the senior scientific leader for the laboratory and will be responsible for developing NREL’s scientific ands technical strategic planning efforts.
  • Continuously assesses and identifies opportunities to strengthen the laboratory’s current and future core capabilities, the quality of the research conducted and its impact, and the relevance of its research programs.
  • Develops programs and initiatives that drive process improvement, cost effectiveness and optimization of resources to support NREL’s research mission.
  • Assist with the creation and overall accomplishment of the laboratory’s strategic agenda in collaboration with the Laboratory Director and Associate Laboratory Directors.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of the research business plans and strategy, organizations’ structure and resources.
  • Manage key relationships within leading research institutions, the S&T committee of the Alliance Board of Directors, Chief Research Officer’s Council and other committees with the Department of Energy at the deputy assistant secretary level while leading and supporting NREL’s major goals and initiatives.
  • Ensures the scientific goals of the laboratory are achieved and that the assigned laboratory goals and objectives measured through the DOE Performance Evaluation and Measurement Plan (PEMP) are realized.
  • Work with senior leadership to promote development of the Lab's scientific and technical talent pipelines, including the postdoctoral director’s fellowship program.
  • Manage and lead discretionary R&D investments such as the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program as well as champion the increased impact of the Laboratory Directed R&D portfolio.
  • Represent NREL to DOE and other sponsors, various scientific and engineering institutions, research partners, academic partners as well as dignitaries from around the world.
  • May represent NREL when the Laboratory Director is unavailable and should have the potential to stand in as necessary.

A successful leader at NREL embodies the following personal competencies:

  • Credibility & Integrity: Earn trust through honesty and transparency.
  • Compassion and Empathy and Sensitivity: Foster a supportive, inclusive environment.
  • Critical Decision Making: Make sound, timely decisions.
  • Coach and Develop Others: Empower staff growth and development.
  • Courage: Act decisively and persevere under pressure.
  • Communication: Convey ideas clearly and effectively across all audiences.
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Basic Qualifications
Previous management and budget administration experience required. Program strategy, development and implementation experience required. Degree in appropriate field is required. Demonstrated breadth and depth of expertise required to create aligned strategies and set direction with command of advanced industry/knowledge, and business situation versatility. Solves a wide range of complex, multi-disciplinary problems, which must consider short and long-term NREL-wide planning. Demonstrates financial and business acumen in analyzing, monitoring and actively controlling all aspects of goals and objectives for multiple Centers/Offices. Models and embeds NREL's values. Builds effective teams; creates strong morale and spirit; shares wins and successes. Accountable for Center/Office decisions and functional area outcomes.
  • Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
  • Comprehensive skill in leadership and organization.
  • Exceptional capacity for managing and leading people; ability to connect with staff both on an individual level and in large groups.
  • Demonstrated ability to negotiate complex partnership agreements that provide impact to NREL and partners while being compliant with all DOE and laboratory requirements.
  • Strong interpersonal skills in developing and maintaining effective relationships.
  • Comprehensive oral and written communications skills are essential.
  • Critical skill capabilities in decision-making and innovative problem-solving required, as well as comprehensive leadership skills.
  • Considerable skill in interpreting and articulating Laboratory policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrated ability in strategic planning; the ability to establish and communicate goals and objectives; and to develop impactful partnerships and strategies within the context of a mission-oriented organization.
  • This position requires an onsite hybrid work arrangement and remote applicants will not be considered.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance and SCI access. SCI access may require a polygraph examination.
    Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See
    DOE O 472.2A
    for additional information.
  • Ability to travel is required for this position.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in multiple functions within a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), major research or academic institution with a national/international reputation in their scientific field.
  • Excellent relationship management skills to promote trust and partnership internally and externally to the laboratory and be a champion in nurturing an organizational culture that reflects NREL’s values.
  • Documented record of R&D management of increasingly diverse science and technology programs that refresh institutional capabilities.
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Job Application Submission Window
The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Deputy Laboratory Director / Annual Salary Range: $350,300 - $630,500
NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.
Benefits Summary
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.
  • Based on eligibility rules
Badging Requirement
NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.
Drug Free Workplace
NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.
If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.
Submission Guidelines
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Reasonable Accommodations
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