Physics Division Director

Organization Overview

The Physics Division, as part of the Fundamental Interactions and Particles (FIP) Directorate, leads scientific research at BNL for the DOE Office of High Energy and Nuclear Physics (HENP) by designing, constructing, and operating HENP experiments in pursuit of a deeper understanding of the fundamental building blocks of the physical world. For the nuclear physics program, the Division is responsible for completing the RHIC science mission by analyzing data accumulated over decades of RHIC operation and leading the design and construction of the ePIC detector, including hosting the ePIC collaboration and the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) detector subproject. The Division works closely with other organizations in FIP and across the Laboratory to ensure the success of EIC, BNL’s highest-priority program. For the high energy physics program, the Division hosts U.S. ATLAS, leads the U.S. ATLAS Operations Program and HL-LHC Upgrade Project, and has major responsibilities for the ATLAS experiment. It also hosts U.S. Belle II. In addition, the Division plays critical roles in neutrino programs at Fermilab, including DUNE and SBN, as well as in astrophysics and cosmology efforts such as the Rubin Observatory and LuSEE-Night. A vibrant research program is also under way for potential future high energy physics projects, including a Higgs factory and the second phase of the DUNE experiment. World-leading theory efforts in both high energy and nuclear physics provide guidance for interpreting experimental data. The Division’s detector technology capabilities and software expertise strongly support all aspects of these programs.

Position Description

The Physics Division Director serves as a key member of the Fundamental Interactions and Particles (FIP) Directorate leadership team and is responsible for leading the Division in fulfilling the DOE mission. The Division comprises more than 200 scientists, engineers, technicians, and other professional and support staff, with an annual budget of over $100 million. The Division Director reports to the Associate Laboratory Director for the FIP Directorate and works closely with the EIC Project leadership, other divisions within FIP, Laboratory management, user communities, and funding agencies to ensure the successful delivery of the DOE Office of High Energy and Nuclear Physics mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide overall scientific, technical, operational, and strategic leadership for the Division, ensuring alignment with the strategic objectives of the Laboratory, the FIP Directorate, the DOE mission.  

• Establish and monitor organizational priorities, performance expectations, governance processes, organizational structure, and management systems that enable safe operations and effective execution of Division responsibilities.

• Develop, communicate and implement a strategic long-term vision for the Division that advances scientific and operational excellence.

• Develop, manage, forecast and execute annual operating and project budgets exceeding $100M.

• Ensure effective collaboration among the Division and with the EIC Project leadership, other divisions within FIP, and other Lab scientific and operational organizations to successfully deliver Division scope, technical objectives and project/program commitments.

• Represent the Division and the Laboratory in interactions with Department of Energy officials, Laboratory leadership, advisory committees, user communities, collaborating institutions, professional organizations, and external stakeholders.

• Serve as a member of the FIP Directorate leadership team and contribute to Directorate priorities, resource allocation, organizational initiatives, and long-term planning.

• Maintain and develop a strong scientific and technical workforce for the programs in the Division, and promote a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that encourages diverse perspectives and supports organizational excellence.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ph.D. in nuclear or particle physics, or a closely related scientific or technical discipline.

• Minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience in nuclear or particle physics research and operation programs, including at least eight (8) years of leadership, management, and supervisory experience within a DOE laboratory, or equivalent research or technical organization.

• Demonstrated success leading and managing large, mission-driven scientific research and operations organizations, including responsibility for strategic planning, workforce management, fiscal oversight, and organizational performance.

• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior Laboratory leadership, DOE sponsors, advisory and review committees, partner institutions, and external stakeholders.

• Internationally recognized accomplishments in nuclear or particle physics research and successful history managing complex large-scale scientific and technical initiatives.

• Excellent verbal, written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex scientific 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, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science programs, policies, and the mission, operations, governance, and management of National Laboratories and large user facilities.

• Experience in supporting large scientific collaborations and user communities.

Other Information:

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

• This is an on-site position in Upton, NY.

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

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. 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

Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id.  This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act.  Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews. 

As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM- Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program- Physical Protection Program.

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

BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file