Director, National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC)

Director, National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is seeking a dynamic and experienced scientific leader with an outstanding and distinguished record of leadership and research accomplishments in advanced computing, scientific workflows, and artificial intelligence capabilities to serve as the Director of the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) Division.

This is an unparalleled opportunity to lead the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science's premier high-performance computing (HPC) user facility. The NERSC Division Director is responsible for strategic, scientific, operational, and financial leadership for the Division, overseeing an annual budget of $135 million and a staff of 120 employees and 50 affiliates.

Reporting to the Associate Laboratory Director for Computing Sciences, responsibilities include:

• Ensuring the reliable and effective delivery of world-class computing, data, and user support services while positioning NERSC to address emerging scientific and technological opportunities, including exascale and post-exascale computing, artificial intelligence for science, quantum computing, and data-intensive scientific workflows;
• Providing vision and leadership for NERSC's mission to accelerate scientific discovery through advanced computing, data, and artificial intelligence capabilities in support of the DOE Office of Science and the national scientific community;
• Accountability for all aspects of NERSC management and operations, including scientific and technical strategy, facility operations, workforce management, financial stewardship, environmental health and safety, cybersecurity, and stakeholder engagement; and
• Actively advancing Berkeley Lab's stewardship values by promoting a culture of scientific excellence, service, integrity, accountability, trust, respect, safety, and collaboration while supporting the recruitment, development, and retention of an exceptional workforce.

As a member of the Computing Sciences Area leadership team and Berkeley Lab's senior leadership community, the Director contributes to the development and execution of Area and Laboratory strategy. The Director builds collaborative partnerships and programs within the Computing Sciences Area (comprising the Scientific Data, Applied Mathematics and Computational Research, and Scientific Networking Divisions in addition to NERSC), with other Divisions at Berkeley Lab, and with external research institutions across the DOE complex, academia, industry, and international research organizations to contribute to large-scale, multidisciplinary initiatives.

Finally, the Director is expected to maintain an internationally recognized scientific and technical reputation and serve as a visible leader and advocate for high-performance computing and computational science.

About NERSC

NERSC is the premier high-performance computing user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. NERSC's mission is to accelerate scientific discovery through high performance computing and data analysis for the DOE Office of Science programs. NERSC provides critical HPC and data systems and support for NERSC's 12,000 users researching alternative energy sources, climate science, energy efficiency, environmental science and other DOE mission areas. NERSC users produce on average 2,000+ refereed publications annually using NERSC resources. Over the years, NERSC has been privileged to serve seven Nobel Prize-winning scientists and/or their teams.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific & Strategic Leadership

Provide scientific, technical, and operational leadership for NERSC, overseeing one of the world's leading scientific computing facilities supporting thousands of researchers and hundreds of scientific projects annually. Develop and execute a long-term strategic vision and roadmap for NERSC that aligns with DOE Office of Science priorities, Berkeley Lab strategic objectives, and evolving scientific computing requirements. Lead the development of new initiatives and programs in artificial intelligence, complex multi-site scientific workflows, application software development, and emerging computing architectures such as quantum computing. Play a key role in the formulation and direction of Laboratory programs, strategies, and policies that enhance Berkeley Lab's scientific leadership and national impact. Maintain a strong personal scientific and technical reputation through engagement with the scientific community and participation in strategic national and international initiatives.

User Facility Leadership & Engagement

Drive effective operation and advance NERSC as a world-class DOE Office of Science user facility. Engage regularly with DOE sponsors, user communities, advisory committees, and stakeholders to ensure NERSC services, capabilities, and priorities effectively support scientific research needs. Establish and communicate NERSC's mission, goals, accomplishments, and future directions to staff, sponsors, users, Berkeley Lab leadership, and the broader scientific community. Represent NERSC and Berkeley Lab in interactions with federal agencies, universities, industry partners, professional organizations, and international collaborations, advocating for scientific computing and computational science programs and shaping future national investments.

Operations, Stewardship & Management

Provide overall leadership and accountability for NERSC operations, including budgeting, workforce planning, human resources, cybersecurity, procurement, facilities, property management, and environmental health and safety. Ensure the reliable, secure, efficient, and cost-effective operation of computing systems, storage platforms, data services, and user support infrastructure. Develop and guide organizational strategies that enable NERSC to recruit, retain, develop, and engage a highly skilled and multidisciplinary workforce. Foster a culture of stewardship, accountability, operational excellence, safety, integrity, and continuous improvement. Direct organizational planning and resource allocation to effectively balance operational requirements, strategic investments, and future growth opportunities.

Laboratory Leadership & Collaboration

Serve as a member of the Computing Sciences Area leadership team and contribute to Laboratory-wide scientific and operational programs and initiatives. Identify shared opportunities and synergy across all high-performance computing, networking, and research and development programs by collaborating with fellow Computing Sciences Area Division Directors and other area programmatic leaders. Collaborate with other Berkeley Lab divisions and programs to develop and execute multidisciplinary scientific initiatives and strategic partnerships. Build and sustain productive relationships across the DOE complex, research institutions, industry, and the broader scientific community.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Ph.D. or equivalent education and experience in computational science, computer science, applied mathematics, computational physics, engineering, or a related field. A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional leadership experience within high-performance computing, data science, artificial intelligence, or a related scientific research discipline.

Strategic Leadership

Proven success developing and implementing visionary strategies, organizational priorities, and major technical initiatives. Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, solve complex problems, and make sound decisions in a rapidly evolving scientific and technological environment. A deep commitment to institutional stewardship, fostering a collaborative culture of scientific excellence, safety, integrity, and operational accountability.

Technical & Operational Excellence

An internationally recognized record of scientific, technical, or operational accomplishment in advanced computing or scientific user facilities. Demonstrated success leading large-scale technical organizations, research programs, or complex operational enterprises, including managing substantial financial, administrative, and workforce resources at scale. Demonstrated understanding of the operational, cybersecurity, and safety challenges unique to massive, multi-user scientific computing infrastructures. Proven capability in workforce development, with a focused commitment to recruiting, managing, mentoring, developing, and retaining a diverse, world-class team of scientists and engineers.

Stakeholder Management & Engagement

Proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder ecosystems, aligning NERSC operations with DOE programs priorities, facility users, laboratory executive leadership, and advisory boards. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of building trusted partnerships across national labs, academia, industry, and international research organizations.

Application Guidelines

Please submit your CV and letter of interest by September 8, 2026 for priority consideration. In the cover letter, please highlight (i) your interest and vision for the position, (ii) relevant organizational leadership experience, and (iii) relevant research accomplishments.

Notes

This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay. The expected salary for this position is $375,000 - $440,000, which fits into the full salary range of $236,616 - $491,124 for Scientific Division Directors. The salary will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, and certifications, and will be aligned with the internal leadership peer group. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range. The NERSC Division Director position is a career position that is appointed by and serves at the discretion of the Laboratory Director. This appointment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause. This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment. This position is subject to the financial disclosure requirements of the California Political Reform Act of 1974. The successful candidate for this position will be required to file financial interest statements upon assuming this position, annually while holding this position, and when leaving this position. This position will involve access to hardware,