Section Head, Accelerator R&D, Accelerator Division, FIP

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Fundamental Interactions and Particles (FIP) Directorate advances Brookhaven National Laboratory's mission in accelerator science, nuclear physics, particle physics, and the successful delivery of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). The Accelerator Division provides scientific leadership for accelerator operations, accelerator research and development, and the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of future accelerator facilities.

The Accelerator R&D Section provides scientific leadership in beam physics, AI/ML, beam cooling, and polarimetry to support the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of the Electron-Ion Collider and the existing Hadron Injector Complex. The Section works collaboratively with the EIC Project, accelerator operations, engineering organizations, and national and international partners to achieve the performance objectives of providing world class accelerator operations.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Section Head, Accelerator R&D reports to the Accelerator Division Director and is responsible for the scientific and administrative leadership of the Accelerator R&D Section.

The Section Head provides line management for the Accelerator Physics, Beam Cooling, and Polarimetry Groups, ensuring the successful execution of research, engineering, and operational activities in support of the Electron-Ion Collider and the Laboratory's accelerator programs. The Section Head establishes Section priorities, develops staffing and resource plans, and promotes a collaborative, safe, and high-performing work environment.

The Section Head works closely with the leadership of the Accelerator Division, Technical Division, EIC Project, System Managers, and other Laboratory organizations to ensure that Section capabilities are aligned with project priorities and the Laboratory's strategic objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Establish the strategic vision, organizational structure, workforce plans, and management systems required to successfully lead and manage the Accelerator R&D Section.

• Provide direct line supervision of the Accelerator Physics, Beam Cooling, and Polarimetry Group Leaders.

• Recruit, mentor, develop, and evaluate scientific staff.

• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing organizational culture.

• Promote operational excellence and continuous improvement throughout the Section.

Scientific and Technical Leadership

• Provide scientific leadership of existing FIP facilities to include polarization preservation.

• Select and manage Liaison Physicists for existing FIP facilities.

• Provide scientific and technical leadership for accelerator physics and accelerator systems supporting the Electron-Ion Collider.

• Oversee activities related to beam dynamics, beam cooling, beam-matter interactions, polarimetry, and accelerator performance optimization.

• Develop future upgrades of the EIC accelerator complex and Hadron Injector complex including the design, commissioning, operation, and future upgrades of the EIC.

• Define the requirements for the Section's technical work and ensure it meets established performance, quality, and reliability requirements.

Project and Operations Support

• Accountable for the safe operation and performance of the existing accelerators within the FIP Directorate.

• Support the successful delivery of the EIC Project by providing technical expertise and organizational leadership for assigned activities.

• Coordinate Section activities with EIC System Managers, project engineers, accelerator operations, and other technical organizations.

• Participate in technical reviews, risk management, readiness reviews, and change control activities, as appropriate.

• Ensure effective planning and execution of Section work within approved schedules and available resources.

Collaboration and Representation

• Foster collaborations across Brookhaven National Laboratory and with DOE laboratories, universities, and international research institutions.

• Represent the Section at technical reviews, scientific meetings, and collaborative working groups.

• Promote scientific excellence through research publications, presentations, and professional engagement.

Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality

• Ensure all Section activities are conducted in accordance with Brookhaven National Laboratory Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) requirements.

• Integrate safety into all aspects of research, engineering, commissioning, and operations.

• Promote responsible stewardship of personnel, facilities, equipment, and financial resources.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ph.D. in Accelerator Physics, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in accelerator science, accelerator physics, or accelerator engineering, including at least 6 years of demonstrated leadership/management experience.

• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary scientific teams.

• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: beam physics, beam cooling, beam dynamics, beam instrumentation, beam diagnostics, polarimetry, or accelerator systems.

• Experience supporting the design, commissioning, operation, or upgrade of complex accelerator facilities.

• Demonstrated ability to manage scientific and technical programs, personnel, and resources.

• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical and organizational issues to diverse audiences and prepare executive-level presentations, reports, and strategic recommendations.

• Demonstrated commitment to working safely, acting ethically, and taking personal accountability for operational excellence.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Experience supporting large DOE Office of Science accelerator facilities or construction projects, including project governance, earned value management systems, configuration management, risk management, quality assurance and project performance reporting.

• Experience with collider accelerators and Electron-Ion Collider technologies.

• Experience working within multidisciplinary scientific collaborations.

• International recognition in accelerator science or accelerator technology.

Other Information

• Position requires full-time on-site presence.

• Occasional domestic and international travel is required.

• Participation in accelerator commissioning, installation campaigns, and technical reviews may require flexible work schedules.

• For consideration, please apply by September 9, 2026.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $184400 - $306100 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program

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About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.  *VEVRAA Federal Contractor

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