Director, Physical Sciences

TRIUMF is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity; TRIUMF firmly believes that equity and diversity are essential to research excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalised on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialisation, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

TRIUMF’s facilities are anchored around a 520 MeV cyclotron and feature TRIUMF’s flagship scientific centre for radioactive ion beam (RIB) research, the Isotope Separator and Accelerator (ISAC), with the world’s highest intensity isotope separation on-line (ISOL) facility enabling an array of cutting-edge experiments. The Advanced Rare-Isotope Laboratory (ARIEL), which is presently being constructed, will greatly expand TRIUMF’s radioactive beam program, providing three simultaneous beams to fully exploit the RIB infrastructure. The ARIEL complex will enable world-leading explorations in nuclear physics, astrophysics, and fundamental symmetries, and greatly expand our materials science program. The TRIUMF facilities also include the Institute for Advanced Medical Isotopes (IAMI). TRIUMF provides on-going support to Canadian leadership in international scientific collaborations such as ATLAS at the LHC, the antihydrogen experiment ALPHA, the Hyper-K neutrino experiment, and the on-site Ultra-Cold Neutron Project, and facilitates large-scale detector development and construction efforts. It also staffs Canada’s ATLAS Tier-1 computing centre and hosts a dynamic theory group in both nuclear and particle physics. TRIUMF also hosts several groups focused on the application of its infrastructure toward the study of materials science and the life sciences. Commercialisation opportunities exist via collaboration with TRIUMF Innovations.

The future ambitions of TRIUMF and its research community have been articulated in a recent 20-year Vision document, which outlines the areas of research we anticipate pursuing over the next two decades, including new threads, such as quantum and green technologies, that we wish to initiate in the next 5-year plan. Although aspects of this work are already underway, the intent would be to expand and integrate new activities in these highly relevant research areas.

The Opportunity 

The Physical Sciences Division advances TRIUMF’s mission through the orchestration and execution of the laboratory’s world-class scientific program in particle and nuclear physics, life sciences, and accelerator-based sciences. The Division also includes the Scientific Technology and Scientific Computing groups who develop our underpinning technology in these areas.

As a member of TRIUMF’s leadership team and a Board-Appointed TRIUMF employee, the PSD Director is a passionate and enthusiastic leader who is skilled at working with and motivating a diverse multidisciplinary team in the pursuit of scientific excellence, building a culture of inclusivity, and actively seeking and considering different perspectives to effectively deliver the goals of the Division.  Additionally, the Director represents and promotes TRIUMF and its science program through international collaborations, partnerships, conferences, and forums. The PSD Director reports directly to the Executive Director and CEO of TRIUMF, and is accountable for all aspects of managing and leading the Physical Sciences Division.  

How You Will Make an Impact 

As PSD Director, you would:

• provide leadership and vision in overseeing the Physical Sciences program in both an operational and a scientific capacity, raise TRIUMF’s profile as a global leader, and advocate for the research that TRIUMF undertakes to sponsors and stakeholders,
• lead and develop a diverse and talented team capable of achieving established goals within available resources, providing support and direction to all divisional department heads, which include Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics, Molecular and Materials Science, Science Technology, and Theory,
• play a lead role in decision-making, strategic planning, and risk mitigation for the Division, and in developing and managing budgets for operations, research, development, and new initiatives,
• participate collaboratively in defining the goals and development strategies for the laboratory,
• nurture an equitable and inclusive work environment in support of TRIUMF’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan, and foster EDI initiatives,
• facilitate continuing Canadian leadership in major international particle physics experiments, in advanced detector development and construction, and in high performance computing relevant to those experiments,
• provide guidance and oversight of beam scheduling for experiments as ISAC moves from a single user to multi-user facility to fully exploit the advanced ARIEL capability,
• take advantage of the emerging opportunities with the ARIEL facility to further develop the world-leading RIB physics program at TRIUMF,
• ensure that the safety and quality standards of TRIUMF experiments are consistent with the TRIUMF standard operating procedures,
• steward close relationships with physicists and contacts at TRIUMF’s member universities,
• actively promote collaborations with national and international partners and foster strong working relationships with scientists and senior-level contacts at other laboratories, related institutions, federal and provincial governments, and professional organisations of scientists (e.g. IPP, CINP, CAP, etc.) sharing common interests
• actively engage with governing, advisory, and regulatory bodies, in addition to overseeing the Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics and the Molecular and Materials Sciences Experiment Evaluation Committees
• identify strategic opportunities for technology transfer/commercialisation and explore opportunities on how your Division can better serve your community 
• be encouraged to pursue your own research program, apply for Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) funding grants, supervise graduate students, and may teach undergraduate or graduate courses in affiliated universities as appropriate 

Competencies You Will Bring to the Role 

• In-depth understanding of TRIUMF’s science program and its place in the international research context, and the ability to effectively advocate for this science to sponsors and stakeholders
• Internationally recognised scientific accomplishments and demonstrated leadership, and management experience in the physical sciences
• Demonstrated engagement in developing and promoting EDI initiatives in the workplace
• Visionary skills and forward-thinking mindset to strategically develop ARIEL as well as other future emerging opportunities
• Outstanding operational management skills coupled with the ability to forge consensus 
• A record of achievements grounded in sound decision-making, good judgment, and effective problem solving
• Ability to maintain TRIUMF’s well-earned reputation at the forefront of research and innovation
• Dedication, initiative, inquisitiveness, and collaborative spirit
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills as well as tact
• A Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience in nuclear physics, particle physics, or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and training
• Senior-level leadership experience (e.g. department head, dean, or equivalent role)

   

The TRIUMF Advantage

• The opportunity to oversee a broad, multi-disciplinary, discovery-based science portfolio, as a leader in Canada with strong links internationally
• An excellent opportunity to facilitate ground-breaking discoveries while working in a high profile internationally renowned research facility 
• The challenge and opportunity to develop an expanded radioactive beam science programme in which ARIEL will triple ISAC’s rare isotope production capacity over the next ten years
• Collaborative and community-focused work environment, committed to excellence and leadership in equity, diversity and inclusion
• A competitive compensation and benefits package, equivalent to that of a full professor at a Canadian university and the opportunity to apply for peer-reviewed funding from the NSERC, and adjunct professor eligibility in our associated universities

Questions regarding position responsibilities or qualifications may be directed to Dr. Manuella Vincter, Chair of the Search Committee at: vincter@physics.carleton.ca  (Do not send applications to Dr. Vincter)

How to Apply 

Applications must be submitted through TRIUMF Career Site and must include:

• Cover letter
• Resume/CV
• Arrange for 3 letters of reference sent directly to recruiting@triumf.ca and include JR number (JR100518) in the subject line

The review of applications will begin on October 1st, 2023 and the position will remain open until filled.

We acknowledge that career interruptions may impact a candidate’s record of achievement; we encourage applicants to explain in their application how such an event impacted their career.

Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation during any part of the application and recruiting process, may contact Dana Giasson at dana@triumf.ca.  All personal information will remain confidential.

This is a permanent position, located in Vancouver, BC Canada

Language of work: English

Salary range: $160,000 - $210,000 CAD per annum

Benefits: At TRIUMF, we value our employees and are committed to providing a competitive total rewards package. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer comprehensive benefits that promote the well-being and security of our staff, including

• vacation and flexible work schedules,
• sick days,
• employer paid medical, dental & life insurance,
• disability insurance,
• retirement pension plan,
• wellness plan,
• vision care,
• employee assistance plan
• income replacement plan

Our organization provides an excellent opportunity to grow your career in a high-profile national research facility, where you can make a difference.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given serious consideration, and in the case of equal qualifications, preference will be given to a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.