Laboratory Director

Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) is seeking an experienced and thoughtful leader with scientific credibility and operational acumen to serve as the next director of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Brookhaven Lab delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation's future. One of ten national labs stewarded by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science, Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and 75 years of pioneering research.

The Laboratory's 3,000-plus staff members lead and support research teams that advance DOE's missions, accelerate pathways to scientific discovery and deliver technological innovations that transform the world. Brookhaven Lab's current initiatives include exploring the building blocks of the universe, leading in light-enabled scientific discovery, and developing next-generation information science capabilities, including AI and quantum computing. The Lab also is advancing energy security and essential resources independence.

Brookhaven Lab staff design, build, and operate unique scientific facilities that support researchers from around the world. These facilities include the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), the Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN), and the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory. Brookhaven's next major project will be the state-of-the-art Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a $3 billion project that will replace RHIC as the Laboratory's signature facility and will enable exploration of the building blocks of matter.

In fiscal year 2025, the Laboratory attracted approximately 7,000 facility users and guest researchers from across the U.S. and from countries around the world. The Laboratory also offers robust STEM education and workforce development programs that serve more than 30,000 students and teachers annually.

Position Summary

The Laboratory Director reports to the Board of Directors of Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) and serves as Brookhaven Lab's primary liaison to the DOE's Office of Science. The Laboratory Director oversees an annual budget of more than $900 million from the DOE and other governmental agencies.

The Laboratory Director works closely with the BSA Board and its committees, the National Laboratory Directors' Council, the DOE, affiliated universities, elected representatives on the local, state, and federal levels, and local community leaders to ensure the success of the Lab's mission and strategy.

The next Director must be a unifying, transformational leader capable of guiding BNL through the RHIC-to-EIC transition, improving operational performance, and strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders. The Director must possess seasoned executive judgment, recognized scientific credibility, and the ability to lead through change.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspire and engage the Laboratory and its regional, national, and international partners with an exciting vision for the future.
• Pursue the Laboratory's scientific missions with Simultaneous Excellence in science and technology, operations, and community engagement.
• Lead the Laboratory in formulating and executing a strategic plan aligned with DOE mission priorities and BNL strengths and capabilities. This includes pursuing new opportunities in areas where the Lab can leverage its unique and evolving scientific expertise and that of its university affiliates to advance DOE's broader missions.
• Attract, develop, and retain high-quality scientific, managerial, and professional leaders.
• Build effective relationships and advocate on behalf of the Laboratory with DOE, users, affiliated universities, community leaders and elected representatives at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Ensure operational excellence in safety, and all other mission-enabling functions.
• Strengthen the DOE-Headquarters and Brookhaven Site Office partnership through transparency, accountability, and communication.
• Champion modernization of infrastructure, systems and business processes, and contractor assurance to improve agility and reduce burden.
• Oversee large program transitions, including RHIC to EIC and the NSLS-II upgrade, while ensuring workforce stability.
• Effectively represents the Laboratory's vast array of scientific programs and capabilities.

Professional and Personal Qualifications

• Established scientific leader with significant accomplishments and the credibility to lead diverse research communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to the development of staff and leadership as the path to excellence.
• Record of success in achieving scientific, operational, and strategic objectives. Ability to empower staff and ensure accountability at all levels.
• Demonstrated record of success leading a large complex organization in a DOE national laboratory or other multidisciplinary research setting.
• Exceptional leadership presence, including transparent and authentic communication skills. Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire others to action. Willingness and ability to engage with leaders and staff at all levels.
• Ability to develop industrial relationships for advanced technology development and deployment. Have working knowledge of industry and commercial practices in advanced research and partnering.
• National perspective of the rapidly changing research environment, including new or developing opportunities, and the skills to align the Lab accordingly (e.g. high-performance computing and artificial intelligence).
• Genuine passion and excitement about Brookhaven National Laboratory and its role in the national research and development ecosystem.
• Ability to obtain a security clearance.