Branch Manager, Applied Physics

at  Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

Are you looking for a role that will challenge you?
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) has a well established and diverse nuclear-driven research and capabilities that have been developed over more than 70 years. As one of the oldest nuclear laboratories in the world, CNL’s Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) has the breadth and depth of knowledge expected of a leader in the nuclear industry. Building on this expertise in the nuclear arena, there is more that CNL and the directorate can do to support national security and critical infrastructure writ large.
To date, the Safety and Security Directorate has been responsible for a wide range of S&T research and technical services focused on nuclear detection, nuclear forensics, emergency response, and the cyber security of critical infrastructure. Areas of technical expertise within the directorate encompass the development and application of advanced techniques for the interrogation, detection, assessment, attribution and mitigation of chemical biological radiological nuclear and explosive threats. A major focus of the directorate is addressing the persistent challenge of cyber safety and security of real-time digital systems employed for the control, monitoring and operations of current and advanced nuclear reactor systems and other critical infrastructure. As the directorate moves into the future, an assessment of capabilities leads to a more refined set of focus areas that reflect both the current imperatives of the security and resilience landscape and the anticipated challenges of tomorrow. These areas, grounded in rigorous research and practical application, represent the directorate’s unwavering commitment to innovation, safety, and excellence. Each area is a testament to the directorate’s dedication to harnessing advanced technologies and methodologies to safeguard communities, critical infrastructures, and the broader global environment.
CNL’s Applied Physics Branch is primarily responsible for human capital and facility resources to support certain mission focus areas within the directorate’s purview. Detection Systems for Nuclear and Other Threat Materials emphasizes the development, enhancement, testing and evaluation of systems capable of detecting nuclear threats and other hazardous materials, ensuring timely identification and response. Safeguards Systems and Analysis is dedicated to the creation and analysis of systems that ensure the non-diversion of nuclear materials from peaceful activities; this focus area plays a pivotal role in global nuclear non-proliferation efforts. Branch staff and facilities may also support other directorate mission focus areas, such as Nuclear and Contaminated Evidence Forensics; Crisis Response, Analysis, and Recover; Retrospective Dosimetry for Radiological Emergencies; and Cyber Resilience for Critical Infrastructure.
The Branch Manager (BM) Applied Physics will manage the resources and activities in support of CNL’s, S&T’s, and the Directorate’s missions. Work is performed to advance these priorities in alignment with Canadian government and industry priorities.
The Applied Physics Branch reports into the Safety and Security Directorate, and the Branch Manager reports directly to the Head of Directorate, Safety and Security.

• Successfully support the execution of projects and programs to meet customer requirements.
• Contribute to the vision and mission for CNL, S&T, and the directorate.
• Review, refine and adjust work and deliverables based on knowledge of the technical area, environment, policy, customers, and marketplace.
• Identify and pursue research growth by anticipating client and market needs.
• Define, develop and lead collaborations that deliver growth in programs and capabilities.
• Develop commercialization opportunities to drive program growth and CNL’s impact.
• Provide aspirational leadership for the branch.
• Ensure safe, secure, and compliant operations in the branch.
• Nurture and enhance the scientific capabilities - staff, facilities, and equipment - in the branch.
• Responsibilities include management of up to ~ 50 staff members, an overhead operating budget of between $300 to $500k, and oversight of work valued at between $5M to $20M in labour and materials.
• Shared responsibility for the effective management of the Safety & Security Directorate, meeting directorate, S&T, and CNL requirements.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager