Director
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
 

Introduction

The President and the Regents of the University of California invite nominations and applications for the position of Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (“LBNL,” “Berkeley Lab,” or “the Laboratory”). Berkeley Lab is a multidisciplinary national laboratory managed by the University of California (UC or the University) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science. It operates large-scale scientific facilities and builds tools and interdisciplinary teams to foster groundbreaking fundamental science. Through this distinctive approach to team science, the Lab is committed to groundbreaking research focused on discovery science and solutions for abundant and reliable energy supplies. The lab’s expertise spans materials, chemistry, physics, biology, earth and environmental science, mathematics, and computing.   The appointment will be effective upon selection or at such later time as is mutually agreeable to the appointee and the University.

Leadership Responsibilities

The Director is responsible for the overall operation and strategic direction of the Laboratory, which conducts a world-class multidisciplinary program of research and development.  The Director reports to the President of the University of California system and serves as the highest level management liaison with UC, DOE, other National Labs, and other public and private agencies.

 To maximize the impact of the Lab’s research on society, the Director works with the Lab's scientific leadership to provide a compelling scientific vision for the enterprise; to manage the effective performance of its research; to promote a culture of stewardship, in which everyone takes responsibility for the people, research and resources that make it possible to carry out the Lab’s mission; and to maintain excellent relations with all external stakeholders. Specifically, the Director leads the development and integration of the Laboratory’s scientific vision, goals, and objectives. Within University policy, the Director exercises broad delegated powers in the overall leadership and administration of the Laboratory’s programs and operations, including the definition of their technical goals, the negotiation of their size and content, and the execution of these programs with the highest quality. The Director provides overall leadership for recruiting and supporting an inclusive and highly  talented workforce, which presently includes over 4,000 staff members, to execute the Laboratory’s mission.

 The Director must lead and maintain a robust science and operations infrastructure and champion a strong safety culture with an associated integrated safety management program. The Director is also responsible for ensuring that the DOE national user facilities hosted by Berkeley Lab are scientifically productive and remain positioned to meet the future needs of the DOE’s scientific and energy missions. These user facilities must be managed efficiently and provide the level of service and utility required by the world’s leading researchers — more than 14,000 of whom use Berkeley Lab’s user facilities each year. The Director will also be responsible for securing philanthropic support and will seek new ways for basic and applied research to be quickly and effectively transferred to industry, assuring that Berkeley Lab continues to contribute to the economic competitiveness of the nation.

 Desired Qualifications & Experience

Candidates should have demonstrated success in creating, leading, and managing large scientific programs and complex organizations and should have a distinguished record of scientific and technical accomplishments. Strong leadership skills are required, including the ability to gain the confidence of leaders, scientists, and operations staff, and the ability to develop strategic relationships and partnerships with key constituents. The ideal candidate should have demonstrated successful leadership and management experience in a complex, mission-oriented, research and development institution. Significant management experience is needed to ensure that all operations are conducted efficiently and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and UC policies. The ideal candidate should also have a strong track record of working with senior management to accomplish key objectives and of nurturing leadership development throughout an organization. Familiarity with the Department of Energy is strongly preferred. Eligibility for a DOE Q clearance is required. Other required competencies and capabilities may be identified through the candidate selection process.

 Berkeley Lab Profile 

Berkeley Lab, established in 1931, is located on a 200-acre site in the hills above the UC Berkeley campus and has an annual budget of about $1.3 billion. The Lab’s 21 divisions are organized into six scientific areas whose members perform unclassified basic and applied research across a broad spectrum of disciplines; a robust operations infrastructure supports this work. The Laboratory hosts five DOE national user facilities and leads or participates in numerous national and regional collaborations. Sixteen individual scientists and one research team associated with Berkeley Lab have won the Nobel Prize, and 18 Berkeley Lab scientists have won the National Medal of Science. As of 2025, 78 are active members of the National Academy of Sciences; 33 of the National Academy of Engineering. Approximately 225 Berkeley Lab researchers hold joint faculty appointments with the University of California’s campuses, predominantly at Berkeley, San Francisco, and Davis, and there are over 430 postdoctoral fellows and more than 260 graduate students employed by Berkeley Lab.

The University of California, Office of the President, has selected Opus Partners to lead the search for the next Director of Berkeley Lab. Craig V. Smith, Senior Partner, Ann K. Adams, Associate Partner, and Marisea Rivera, Senior Associate, are supporting the search. Please contact Opus via LBNL@opuspartners.net to learn more about the opportunity or to provide a nomination.

Application 

In order to be considered for the position, applicants must provide to Opus a CV/resume and are highly encouraged to include a cover letter/statement of interest. The position will remain open until filled, but applicants are encouraged to submit materials to the above email address before January 12, 2026, to be given full consideration. The budgeted base salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $550,000-$750,000. Compensation offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The University of California provides a competitive array of benefits. Please consult Opus Partners for more information about the application process.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Inquiries and Nominations 

The University of California has retained Opus Partners to support this recruitment. Email confidential inquiries and nominations to LBNL@opuspartners.net.