Directorate Overview

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory, Argonne is committed to delivering substantive impacts to U.S. prosperity, competitiveness, and security through transformative science and technology from discovery to technology development to application. Argonne’s long-standing, world leading expertise in nuclear energy coupled with our unique, first-in-class capabilities in nonproliferation and infrastructure science enable us to tackle emerging energy and security challenges.

The Nuclear Technologies and National Security (NTNS) directorate seeks to advance nuclear energy and deliver innovative, objective science- and engineering-based solutions and inform decisions for a secure and resilient global society. We focus on enduring and emerging challenges in nuclear reactors and fuel cycles; nonproliferation; infrastructure science (risk and resilience analysis); intelligence and vulnerability analysis; and emergency and disaster preparedness. NTNS encompasses a diverse team of scientists, engineers, and technical support staff, all of whom are committed to developing and delivering innovative solutions to address our country’s most pressing energy and security challenges. We take a multidisciplinary approach to solving complex challenges and developing useful technologies that can transform the marketplace and change the world.

Basic Purpose

The Strategic Security Sciences (S3) Division, with an annual budget of $60M+ and over 160 employees, is an applied research organization that enhances global security and stability by delivering scientific and technical solutions to complex national security challenges. Our vision is to be the premier source of innovative, objective science- and engineering-based solutions for a secure global society. We research, develop, and deliver practical approaches and technical solutions to promote peaceful use of strategic materials, equipment, and technology; prevent, deter, detect, and mitigate chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN), and cyber threats; and enable critical security operations. Our expertise spans science and technology research and development in the areas such as CBRN nonproliferation analysis and implementation including safeguards, security, and export controls; threat prevention, detection, and response and post-event recovery; detector testing and analysis; proactive cyber defense and situational awareness; and simulation, modeling, data analytics, and software development for mission-critical operations. Division facilities include the Bioanalysis Laboratory, Detector Test Facility, IAEA Training Center, Rad/Nuc Incident Mitigation & Recovery Laboratories, Radiochemistry Laboratory, Secure Cyber Testbed, the Vulnerability Assessment Laboratories and the CBRN Detection & Analysis Center. Key sponsors of the Division include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response; the U.S. DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration; the U.S. Department of State; other Federal agencies; and the private sector.

The Division Director, Strategic Security Sciences, is responsible for the overall leadership and strategic direction of the division including setting short- and long-term goals of the division. In addition, the Division Director is responsible for program development activities focused on creating new opportunities and new and increased funding and creation of new scientific and technical capabilities and new long-term programs, including potential new facilities.

The S3 Division Director interacts with other Argonne leadership teams in the planning, coordination, integration, and enhancement of research, development, and assessment activities. The Division Director also interacts with the Department of Energy, other government agencies, program sponsors, and industry partners.

As a member of the NTNS directorate leadership team and the Laboratory’s extended leadership team, the  S3 Division Director is a strategic partner contributing to NTNS and Laboratory strategy and aligning division strategic goals to the directorate and the Laboratory’s strategic goals. The  S3 Division Director fosters and develops inter-divisional, inter-directorate, and multi-disciplinary research initiatives and collaborations across the Laboratory.

The Division Director is responsible for:

• Setting and executing the division vision and strategy, aligned with laboratory and directorate priorities

• Delivering on division goals and priorities and stewarding division resources and capabilities

• Leading and enabling divisional program development and new capability development

• Developing, managing, and leveraging division expertise and capabilities 

• Operating the division in accordance with laboratory policies

• Delivering safe, high-quality research operations and outcomes

• Managing current and new internal and external partnerships and programs to improve S&T impact including managing division sponsor relationships

• Overseeing effective recruitment, management, and development of employees and delivering on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) strategy

• Managing division program budgets, investments, safety and security programs and risk

• Nurturing and enabling a high-impact departmental culture that values cross-organizational collaboration, innovation and achievement for federal sponsors, and staff empowerment.

The Division Director is accountable to the NTNS Associate Laboratory Director for overall performance of the division, and to sponsors for program execution consistent with laboratory core values.

Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection: All activities, as they apply to work performed by self or by personnel under supervision, will be executed in compliance with ES&H and security responsibilities established by the Laboratory's ES&H policies, Safeguards and Security policies, work rules, and safe practices.

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in a science or engineering field relevant to National Security, Safeguards, or Infrastructure Sciences, with a Ph.D. preferred, supplemented by no less than fifteen years’ experience including relevant, demonstrated accomplishments in scientific leadership and management.

• Experience with nonproliferation or national security research and development and is recognized as a national leader this specified space.

• Strong leadership and management skills in attracting, managing, and sustaining a highly competent and diverse interdisciplinary staff and maintaining an open and collegial environment.

• Comprehensive skills and abilities in acquiring and maintaining relationships with multiple sponsors/stakeholders. Preferred candidates will have experience and established relationships with some agencies.

• Proven ability to develop new research programs and capabilities to address evolving and emerging national and international strategic security challenges

• Considerable skill in oral and written communications and the ability to work with high level internal and external contacts while displaying the ability to adapt knowledge to complex situations, communications, and leadership issues.

• The ability to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” clearance is mandatory.

• The ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Respect, Safety, Integrity, and Teamwork.

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