Senior Manager, Hydrogen Isotope Science

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.

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.