Vice President, National Laboratories
The University of Chicago

Department

President University Leadership

About the Department

Founded in 1890 by John D. Rockefeller, the University of Chicago is one of the world's leading universities and widely known for its research eminence, its excellent faculty, graduate programs that rank at or near the top of their respective fields, a consistently strong and increasingly diverse student body, and impressive, constantly improved fundraising and endowment growth. The University is located primarily in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. It comprises an undergraduate college, graduate programs and interdisciplinary committees organized into four divisions (Physical, Biological and Social Sciences, and Humanities), six professional schools (Business, Divinity, Law, Medicine, Public Policy, and Social Work Policy and Practice, Molecular Engineering), the nursery-12 Laboratory Schools, three campuses of the University of Chicago charter school, a school of continuing education, and a medical center.

The University of Chicago is one of the country's leaders in scientific and technological innovation, in part through its affiliations with two U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories-Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The University's stewardship of Argonne and Fermilab provides institutional support and unique resources that help these National Laboratories tackle some of the greatest scientific and technical challenges of our time. Argonne National Laboratory scientists and engineers address the nation's most important challenges in energy, the environment, and national security. UChicago, through its wholly-owned affiliate, UChicago Argonne LLC, has been the prime contractor for Argonne since the lab's founding in 1946, as an outgrowth of the Manhattan Project, which achieved the first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear reaction. At the world's leading particle physics and accelerator laboratory, Fermilab, scientists work with international partners to solve the mysteries of matter, energy, space, and time. UChicago has served as co-contractor with the Universities Research Association for Fermilab since 2007. More information is available at this link: https://www.uchicago.edu/en/education-and-research/affliated-laboratories
Job Information


Job Summary:

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for National Laboratories is charged with ensuring the successful stewardship of two U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories, Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), and leveraging ties between them and the University for maximal scientific and technological impact. Working closely with certain committees of the University Board of Trustees, University officers, the Office of the Provost, deans and faculty, and senior leadership at the University and the Laboratories, the Vice President maintains key relationships with the Department of Energy and other federal, state, and local officials and agencies that are essential to enhancing the University's stewardship of the Laboratories, their impact nationally and regionally, and leveraging the benefits of the Laboratories' and University's eminence in research. The Vice President is also charged with providing expert assistance and the University's extensive other resources to support each Laboratory's management teams, both in terms of scientific mission and effective operations.

The University of Chicago is a leader in scientific and technological innovation. Its partnership with each of Argonne and Fermilab have led to a wide range of field-defining discoveries and impactful technological developments. The University directly managed and operated Argonne, a preeminent federal R&D center for the U.S. Government, since Argonne's founding in 1946 until 2005, at which time the University's wholly owned affiliate, UChicago Argonne LLC, took on these responsibilities. Argonne is the nation's first national laboratory and applies a unique mix of world-class science, engineering, and user facilities to deliver innovative research and technologies that address the most important scientific and societal needs of our nation. The University of Chicago, in partnership with Universities Research Association, manages and operates Fermilab, the nation's high energy physics laboratory.

As research at the University of Chicago continues to grow in scale, scope, and ambition, its relationship with each of the National Laboratories presents significant opportunities for cutting-edge and field-defining research in areas of national and international interest.

Responsibilities:

• Representing the President, provide proactive and day-to-day oversight of Argonne and Fermilab in furtherance of the University's management of these DOE Office of Science Laboratories.
  
• Serve as CEO of UChicago Argonne, LLC, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors for Argonne National Laboratory, and as a member of the Board for the M&O contractor for Fermilab.
  
• Maintain an active relationship with the DOE at both site offices and at DOE headquarters, addressing issues connected to the underlying M&O prime contracts for each of the Laboratories, including by engaging academic leaders and administrators across the University, as appropriate
  
• Maintain a highly visible presence in Washington, DC and highly public face to other audiences that will properly reflect that the University of Chicago is one of the few Universities' in the nation entrusted with overseeing two major DOE laboratories.
  
• Develop and maintain relationships with local/regional civic, higher education, and business leaders whose responsibilities and interests align with the work of the Laboratories.
  
• Develop and maintain appropriate relationships with government officials at the state and the national levels in support of the laboratories mission.
  
• Collaborate with other leaders in research and innovation to build programs and initiatives between and among the Laboratories and the University.
  
• Be a systematic and effective public voice for the connection of science/engineering with public policy on a wide range of matters.
  
• Working in concert with the Laboratory Directors and their leadership teams, ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations, as well as DOE orders and policies.
  
• Promote a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship that leverages the resources of the University and Laboratories to create scientific and economic growth.
  
• Ensure that the distinctive administrative and operational capabilities of the University are brought to bear on the enhancement of the Laboratories.
  

Competencies:

• Ability to build strong relationships internally and externally, communicate effectively, and demonstrate a consultative demeanor to build rapport and establish credibility.
  
• Superb analytical skills, bringing the ability to examine challenges creatively and propose innovative and effective solutions.
  
• Scholarly excellence. A distinguished record of scholarship that reflects a deep commitment to research, knowledge generation, and knowledge transmission.
  
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and an evolving role.
  
• Experience at a Department of Energy national laboratory is ideal.
  

Additional Requirements


Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in related field required.
  
• Ph.D. or other advanced degree preferred.
  

Experience:

• Significant experience leading research and administrative functions within a large, complex, research-based enterprise, preferably within a university and/or federally-funded research setting preferred.
  
• A demonstrated understanding and familiarity with government contracts and government relations, particularly within the context of the Department of Energy preferred.
  
• Record of accomplishment in building programs that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of a research enterprise, including demonstrated success in securing new funding opportunities and empowering others in doing so preferred.
  
• Proven track-record of success in serving as a strategic advisor and thought partner to executive and senior leadership, ideally including to the President/CEO and a governing board preferred.
  
• Proven track-record of managing complex budgets, projects and achieving financial goals preferred.
  
• Experience attracting, developing, motivating, and retaining top talent at all levels and in working with unions preferred.
  

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV
  
• Cover Letter
  
• Three Professional References
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Benefit Eligibility

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement

No
Pay Frequency

Monthly
Pay Range

Depends on Qualifications
Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5
Union

Non-Union
Job is Exempt

Yes
Drug Test Required

No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No
Health Screen Required
No
Posting Date

2024-08-16
Remove from Posting On or Before

2025-02-16
Posting Statement:


The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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