The Physical Scientist will serve as a program manager for the Solar Photochemistry and Fuels from Sunlight Hub programs and will determine scientific focus and direction of the research programs, prepare calls for proposals, organize independent peer reviews, recommend funding allocations, organize Principal Investigator meetings, serve as a liaison on committees, and assess scientific progress of programs. The program manager conceives, justifies, plans, initiates, manages, and coordinates all aspects of the programs that include a diverse range of experimental and theoretical research in photochemical and physical sciences relevant to solar energy conversion and solar fuels generation. Research areas covered by these programs include, but are not limited to: organic and inorganic photochemistry aimed at new chromophores, donor-acceptor complexes, and photocatalytic cycles; photoinduced electron and energy transfer in inorganic, organic, and biomimetic systems; photoelectrochemistry and electrochemistry; photocatalysis and catalysis for solar energy conversion; and development and characterization of molecular assemblies for artificial photosynthesis.

In addition to having recognized expertise in solar photochemistry and solar fuels, the applicant should have served as a major contributor or a Principal Investigator on original scientific research project(s) that resulted in peer-reviewed, archival journal articles and invited presentations at national and/or international meetings. The applicant should also have experience in supervising original scientific research efforts of doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and/or junior staff and in evaluating research including proposals and research publications. Additional areas of experience may include: determining the scientific focus and direction of a scientific research program, for instance, preparation of calls for proposals, organization of independent peer reviews, recommendations for funding allocations, monitoring and assessment of scientific  program progress, and the review and recommendation of funding decisions for research proposals; managing scientific research including the development of requests for funding within organization and the management of budgets and staffing for research project(s); and communicating information effectively both orally and in writing such as presentation of strategies, advisory opinions and recommendations to managers, supervisors, and to varied audiences in formal and informal settings.

Anyone applying to this position needs to be aware that, if selected, you will be placed on a new permanent appointment in the Civil Service. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802. Management will be requesting a list of interested applicants on January 19, 2021. For more information please contact Bruce Garrett who can be reached at bruce.garrett@science.doe.gov.

Direct hire announcement TN-20-DOE-1301-OCDH, which is posted on USAJOBS:

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetailsl/579708600