User Services Group Leader

Updated: about 2 years ago
Location: Berkeley, CALIFORNIA
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Advanced Light Source (ALS) Division has an opening for a User Services Group Leader to join the team. 

The Advanced Light Source is a U.S. Department of Energy Office (DOE) of Science national scientific user facility whose excellent scientific reputation, expert staff, and capabilities in the soft x-ray, hard x-ray, and infrared regimes attract more than 2,000 academic and industrial users each year in disciplines spanning physical, chemical, materials, biological, energy, and Earth sciences. It is one of five Berkeley Lab user facilities that serve a combined 11,000 users annually. The ALS has been a global leader in soft x-ray science for more than two decades and is currently undergoing a large-scale upgrade (ALS-U) that will endow the facility with state-of-the-art x-ray capabilities. It's an exciting time to join our team!

Reporting to the ALS Deputy for Science, the User Services Group Leader is responsible for leading the ALS User Services Group and managing the ALS User Program. Together with ALS management, the Group Leader is responsible for developing the user program strategy, for coordinating program activities, and for representing the ALS in communicating the user program strategy to internal and external stakeholders. The User Services Group Leader is a member of the ALS senior management team who manages all aspects of user proposal submission, review, and administration, and is responsible for the collection and management of user program data and other key performance data for the ALS. 

This position can be filled at a level 4 or 5 and will be hired at a level commensurate with the business needs and the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

 

What You Will Do:

  • Strategic planning and leadership: Develop User Services Office strategy towards the direction and support of the user program by developing and establishing goals, objectives, and metrics. Work directly and regularly with the ALS Director and the ALS Deputy for Science. Analyze and advise management on all aspects of the user program. 
  • Outreach and program representation: Plan and manage outreach, communication, and publicity for the user program jointly with the ALS Communications Group. Represent the user program to prospective users, funding agencies, and high-level visitors. Liaise with other Office of Science user program staff, the staff of other user facilities at Berkeley Lab and nationally, and professional societies.
  • Users’ Executive Committee Liaison: Serve as the ALS’s point of contact to the Users’ Executive Committee (UEC). Oversee planning and logistics for the annual User Meeting and other UEC activities, coordinating with UEC representatives and ALS scientific and support staff and leadership. 
  • Program operational management: Manage a highly successful scientific user program, develop and implement customer-oriented policies and processes in accordance with the ALS core values of collaboration, dedication, diversity, innovation, integrity and safety. Responsible for the management of all aspects of user proposal submission, review, and administration processes and for user access. Develop and implement policies and processes for user access, proposal management, and review. Responsible for the User Services Office budget and for consulting and business contracts.
  • Reporting and program performance management: Responsible for the collection and management of all user program data and other key performance data for the ALS. Oversee development and generation of all reports relevant to the user program in response to requests from DOE, Berkeley Lab, etc. Develop, track, and analyze performance metrics for the user program while creating new policies and procedures to enhance the efficiency and productivity of the ALS. Propose and conduct quantitative analyses to determine best practices. 
  • Special agreements: Serve as the ALS point of contact and responsible person for user agreements, Participating Research Team (PRT) memorandums of understanding, and Approved Programs.
  • Business system management and strategy: Oversee development and management of User Services Office business systems and databases. Field inquiries from both prospective and current users and facilitate contact between users and scientific staff. Resolve scientific and logistical problems essential to the effective completion of program objectives. Continue to develop the future roadmap for ALS business systems, liaise with Berkeley Lab IT and ALS staff, seek a common strategy with other Basic Energy Sciences user facilities where possible.
  • Safety and Security: Oversee and develop systems and methods to ensure adherence to all training and security requirements and Berkeley Lab/University of California/Department of Energy access policies and procedures. Working with ALS Experimental Setup Coordination and ALS and Berkeley Lab Environment, Health & Safety representatives, assists in the development and implementation of ALS user safety program policies. Be the primary ALS liaison for Berkeley Lab site security, and the foreign researchers and export control offices.
  • Supervision: Function as a line manager or work lead of User Services Office staff.

 

In addition to the above, the level 5 responsibilities include:

  • Long-range program development: Develop relationships across the user community, participate broadly in the development of the photon science strategy at Berkeley Lab, and guide the ALS strategy with the goal of maintaining the ALS as the world’s leading soft x-ray synchrotron.

 

What is Required:

  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree preferred in a synchrotron user science-related field and/or equivalent experience. 
  • Minimum of 12 years of related work experience, for example in managing scientific programs, supporting large-scale research infrastructure, or conducting research in a field relevant to synchrotron science.
  • Experience with and understanding of the scientific research process.
  • Proven program planning and implementation skills.
  • Demonstrated data management expertise and computer literacy, e.g., manipulation of large datasets, Excel, Word.
  • Proven leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with people from a diversity of scientific, technical, and professional backgrounds and from diverse cultures.  
  • Demonstrated ability in independent development work, as well as working effectively in a highly collaborative environment, as part of the leadership team.
  • Demonstrated ability in executing solutions-oriented approaches and to recommend improvements, new directions, methods, and processes. 
  • Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Effective communicator via written (email, presentations, etc) and verbal (phone, in-person) mechanisms.
  • Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions consistent with organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills  (ability to address matters thoughtfully and in a diplomatic manner).
  • Demonstrated ability to apply sound judgment and take decisive action.
  • Demonstrated supervisory experience.

 

In addition to the above, the level 5 requirements include:

  • All of the above and a minimum of 15 years of related work experience, for example in managing scientific programs, supporting large-scale research infrastructure, or conducting research in a field relevant to synchrotron science.
  • Extensive experience developing strategic partnerships and networks for collaborative programs, for example partnerships with industry or with external research institutions. Ability to champion scientific and operational initiatives from conceptualization through completion.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing long-range objectives and strategic plans for new initiatives and program opportunities.
  • Broad knowledge in the planning and management of large, complex initiatives and programs. In-depth knowledge of core competencies of light source user facilities and funding sources.

 

Desired Qualifications:

  • PhD or equivalent in a synchrotron user facility science-related field is highly preferred. 
  • Demonstrated knowledge of relevant Laboratory, DOE and UC policies, procedures, and practices, related to export control and foreign researchers’ policies.
  • Knowledge of common databases and web tools.

 

For full consideration, please apply by January 3, 2022.

 

Notes:

  • This is a full-time, career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
  • This position will be hired at a level commensurate with the business needs and the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate.
  • This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule - a combination of teleworking and performing work on site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Work schedules are dependent on business needs. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab. 
  • This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.    

 

The core values of the ALS reflect a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek candidates who will support a culture in which the entire ALS community feels welcomed and valued. An ongoing commitment to recruiting a vibrant, diverse and talented workforce is paramount to promoting a diverse lab community.

Based on University of California Policy - SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program and U.S Federal Government requirements, Berkeley Lab requires that all members of our community obtain the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. As a condition of employment at Berkeley Lab, all Covered Individuals must Participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program by providing proof of Full Vaccination or submitting a request for Exception or Deferral. Visit covid.lbl.gov for more information.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:

Know your rights, click here for the supplement: Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4.  

 

 

 



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