R&D Manager, Environmental Systems Biology

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Salary Range:

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

Join a dynamic team that helps tackle some of the most challenging issues facing our nation’s security!

We are seeking an innovative and hardworking R&D Manager to lead Sandia’s Environmental Systems Biology Department in addressing challenges of both national and global concern. Accomplished staff in this newly created department conduct fundamental and applied research in environmental security addressing the impacts of climate change and potential mitigation strategies. Examples include exploiting synthetic biology and metabolic engineering to improve bacterial and eukaryotic production of fuels and chemicals; analyzing, engineering, and leveraging bacterial microbiomes for improved carbon storage and bio-production applications; investigating environmental response and resilience in plant and soil systems; and genetic engineering toolbox development in novel organisms for the biosynthesis of inorganic materials. You will guide a creative, hardworking, and multidisciplinary team with expertise in microbiology, virology, molecular biology, genomics, proteomics, and chemistry that collaborates closely with Sandia’s Applied Biosciences and Engineering Group in Livermore, CA, and with Sandia and academic experts in biophysics, computational biology, and sensor development.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Establish strategies to apply the latest biological advances to mission needs in environmental security

• Promote and support the professional development and mentoring of staff, assessing their performance, coordinating work assignments, providing recognition, and resolving issues

• Develop a safe, secure, creative, and productive team-oriented work environment and be responsible for the operation of BSL-1 and -2 laboratories

• Promote a culture that values diversity and inclusion

• Coordinate recruitment, selection, hiring, and training of new staff

• Participate on the Center leadership team to evaluate strategy and operations

• Collaborate closely with affiliated department managers within the Center to execute strategy and operations

• Develop and sustain partnerships with other Sandia organizations and with universities, other laboratories, and industry

• Develop new programs and identify new internal and external sponsors while maintaining the existing sponsor base

This position requires ability to work onsite in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but may be eligible for incidental telecommuting.

Qualifications We Require:

• PhD in a relevant Biological Science, Physical Science, or Engineering field

• Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience post PhD completion

• Strong grant-writing skills with record of developing funded programs

• Record of strong technical contributions and excellent written and oral communication skills, as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications and/or conference presentations

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

• Strong communication and interpersonal ability and desire to work in multi-disciplinary team environments and at all levels inside and outside an organization

• Demonstrated ability to build and develop strong interdisciplinary teams and partnerships across organizational boundaries

• Record of developing and overseeing programs funded by DOE, DHS, DoD, or NIH

• Proven ability to empower, coach, and mentor staff

• Expertise in one or more of the following fields:

• Molecular biology

• Microbiology

• Biochemistry

• Genomics

• Microbiome research

• Biofuels applications

• Experience with operation of BSL-2 laboratories

• Ability to develop and implement strategic and business plans

• Prior technical management experience

• A minimum of 2 years of demonstrated leadership experience

About Our Team:

The Environmental Systems Biology Department supports mission areas in bioenergy and the bioeconomy. The department conducts fundamental and applied research in molecular biology, virology, genomics, and microbiology, with a focus on the development and use of innovative bioanalytical technologies such as synthetic biology, nanotechnology, multi-omics, and data analysis tools to advance the understanding of biological systems. Current research projects include exploiting synthetic biology and genome editing methods to improve algal and bacterial feedstocks; developing novel chemistries and technologies for plastic upcycling and lignin depolymerization; and the role of arctic and wastewater microbial communities in carbon sequestration and climate change. We conduct research for the Department of Energy Office of Science and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, U.S. Industry, and Sandia's Laboratory Directed Research and Development program.

About Sandia:

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide

• Extraordinary co-workers

• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world

• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities

• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)

• Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov*These benefits vary by job classification.

Security Clearance:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

Job ID: 688361