Center Director for Bioengineering and Biomanufacturing

We have an opening for a dynamic and visionary leader to lead the Center for Bioengineering and Biomanufacturing (CBB) and establish it as a nationally recognized research hub focused on advancing capabilities to solve materials security and bioresilience challenges. CBB serves as multidisciplinary center for bioengineering and biomanufacturing talent across the laboratory, integrating the expertise from Engineering, Physical and Life Sciences (PLS), and Computing Directorates. 

Aligned with the Laboratory's S&T strategy identifying Advanced Materials & Manufacturing as one of three main technical pillars underpinning the lab, the Center is being refocused to advance the Laboratory's biomanufacturing capabilities by integrating PLS’s biosciences and Engineering’s manufacturing expertise. This emphasis recognizes the critical need for integrated discovery and biodesign, synthetic biology, process engineering, and scale-up of biomaterials critical to national security missions. In parallel, in concert with the Laboratory’s strategic investments in AI/ML and high-performance computing for predictive science, establishing high-throughput platforms for biological data generation becomes essential to training and validating these advanced computational models. The Laboratory is uniquely positioned to lead in these critical areas by converging experimental biosciences, advanced manufacturing, autonomous laboratory systems, and AI-enabled computational design to deliver transformational solutions across national security mission domains.

Research and development activities are organized around two thematic focus areas:

1)  Biomaterials and Biomanufacturing: Leveraging synthetic biology and additive manufacturing to create novel biomaterials and transformative bio-based processes focused on meeting national security challenges;

2)  Biomeasurement Platforms: Leveraging Laboratory’s distinctive technical expertise in science and engineering, develop advanced biosensing and characterization capabilities and platforms, advancing biological data generation across multiple frontiers: precision, throughput, automation and innovation.

CBB leverages unique facilities at LLNL including the Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratories; Center for Micro and Nanotechnology, Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (AML); and LLNL’s High-Performance Computing (HPC) resources. As the Director of CBB, you will play a critical role relying on expert communication, facilitation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills to develop and lead innovative research, build cooperative teams, and interact with management and sponsors on a wide variety of levels. This position will be at 0.5 FTE in the Engineering Principal Associate Director’s Office and will report to the Deputy Principal Associate Director for Mission.

In this role you will

• Develop a vision, strategy and implementation plan towards establishing CBB as a nationally recognized capability.
• Lead the Biomaterials and Biomanufacturing capability at LLNL by integrating synthetic biology and engineering competencies from across LLNL.
• Develop and maintain a cohesive Biomeasurement capability, integrating fundamental biosciences/biotechnology with engineering advances in sensing, microfluidics and robotics.
• Champion and lead independent assessment of the key capabilities in CBB and develop a plan to prioritize stewardship.
• Leverage computational expertise specifically, predictive design of proteins, data sciences and AI/ML to accelerate mission impact.
• Establish formal relationship with the advanced materials and manufacturing capability at LLNL with special focus on materials-of-interest to national security, 3D printing of biomaterials, bioreactors/scale-up, and robotics.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships to prioritize the vision for the Center, including pertinent stakeholders within PLS and Engineering Leadership.
• Support networking and outreach for Center members.
• Develop and strengthen external (academia, industry) and internal strategic relationships.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship. 
• Master’s degree or PhD in bioengineering, biosciences, or related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. 
• Extensive experience in business/program development with federal sponsors and/or industrial partners. Experience obtaining sustained funding. Experience with financial and budget oversight.
• Extensive experience leading, managing, and directing a large, diverse multidisciplinary and high-visibility team, building positive and collaborative working relationships among a wide range of scientific, technical, operational, and administrative staff, customers, and stakeholders. 
• Extensive experience developing and implementing creative solutions to a diverse range of highly complex technical problems that may have impact beyond the Laboratory.
• Expert-level written, verbal communication, facilitation, collaboration, and interpersonal skills necessary to deliver presentations, prepare written reports, influence change, negotiate, interact, and collaborate with a diverse set of scientists, engineers, and other technical and administrative staff. 
• Ability to travel, as necessary, to interact with stakeholders, sponsors, and collaborators.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position. Lab employees may be considered for this position.

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.