Forensic Science Center Director - Active Security Clearance Required

Join us and make YOUR mark on the world!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the national security of the United States? Join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where our employees develop solutions for the Nation’s most difficult national security challenges.

We have an opening for aDirector of the Forensic Science Center (FSC). You will be responsible for providingoverall management, strategic direction, and accountable execution of a portfolio of externally funded projects, primarily for the Strategic Threat Analysis and Response (STAR) Directorate;  directing the maintenance, enhancement, and integration of the Center’s general forensic scientific capabilities in support of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) mission needs; and leading sponsor engagement and program development to sustain and grow the portfolio. You will regularly interact and negotiate with staff and senior managers across the Laboratory, the scientific community, and sponsors, universities, industry, and government agencies at the senior leadership level.

This position is in the Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate and will report directly to the PLS Principal Associate Director. The Director establishes Center priorities, manages staff and resources, delegates assignments, and is accountable for achieving FSC strategic, operational, programmatic, and financial objectives.

In this role you will

• Lead the formulation and execution of science and technology strategies  and long-range plans for the FSC, aligned with Laboratory and PLS strategic objectives.
• Manage FSC staff and organizational resources on an ongoing basis; establish work plans, delegate assignments, set performance expectations, and ensure effective execution of Center priorities.
• Develop and manage forensic science and related programs pertinent to the FSC, in coordination with relevant programs and/or division leaders at LLNL.
• Develop and maintain technical contributions to sensitive program areas in support of operational needs.
• Provide guidance  and strategic direction for programmatic strategies in support of FSC and STAR missions.
• Oversee  programmatic and operational execution of projects in the FSC and ensure that FSC programmatic commitments are delivered safely, on time, and on budget.
• Establish and manage Center-level budgets, schedules, performance standards, and risk-management approaches, ensuring the effective use of personnel, scientific infrastructure, and other resources.
• Working with the appropriate LLNL staff and leadership, formulate, develop, and socialize new ideas resulting in funding for existing and new sponsors, including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of War, Department of Justice, and members of the Intelligence Community.
• Identify, develop, and coordinate strategies to recruit, train, develop, and retain world-class scientists across the CBRNE FSC mission areas and identified future expertise as warranted.
• In coordination with appropriate LLNL staff, identify, develop, and implement plans to strengthen FSC operational efficiencies, resulting in effective cost management of FSC’s scientific infrastructure.
• Develop and implement a strategy to support FSC presence at high-visibility opportunities within the scientific community, including academia, government, and private sector. This will include FSC staff participation in major national and international conferences, as well as in pertinent extramural organizations, for example AAFS.
• Represent FSC and PLS in discussions with senior Laboratory leadership, sponsors, external partners, and government stakeholders on matters significant to the Center and its mission.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top-Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.
• PhD in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Nuclear Science, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and FSC-relevant experience.
• Appropriate experience in general forensic science, with recognized technical expertise in one or more areas of WMD forensic and attribution science, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive.
• Extensive experience in and demonstrated programmatic development of operational forensic science applications to support law enforcement and/or the Intelligence Community.
• Extensive experience with relevant external sponsors and an understanding of the FSC sponsor base and interactions, with no reservations about navigating such collaborations immediately after selection as FSC Director.
• Extensive leadership and team-building skills in multidisciplinary science and technology, including managing staff, establishing organizational priorities, and directing work through subordinate leaders or technical staff.
• Demonstrated experience managing organizational or programmatic resources, including budgets, schedules, infrastructure, and workforce planning.
• Advanced level of technical management experience with demonstrated and proven success in the interface between use-inspired basic research and applied research.
• Expert communication, facilitation, collaboration, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills necessary to effectively interact with senior management, customers/sponsors, and the scientific community on a variety of management-level technical and highly complex issues.

Qualifications we desire

• Experience working nationally important issues that involve National Laboratories, forensic laboratories, Federal Agencies and Industry at program and policy levels.
• Experience with deployment and field support activities.
• Experience supporting federal Law Enforcement and/or Intelligence Community operations.

Pay Range 

$282,210 - $359,700 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

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

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.  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. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openinSTAR are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

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.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which includeEEO is the Law andPay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

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 ouronline 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 accessedhere.

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

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

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.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

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 ouronline 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 accessedhere.