FPN05-85

Orbach Seeks New U.S. Fusion Head

December 23, 2005

Dr. Raymond Orbach, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science Director, and and recently nominated to be UnderSecretary for Science, has posted a notice requesting applications to head the U.S. fusion program. The applicant would replace Dr. N. Anne Davies, who has headed the U.S program for most to the past two decades. Under Orbach's plan, Davies would move one level down in the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences organization and would be Director of the Research Division, replacing John Willis, who retired earlier this year. Until the new office head is selected, Dr. Davies will continue to serve in an "Acting" capacity. During her tenure, Dr. Davies guided the U. S. fusion program through a seeming endless series of budget and policy crises and was responsible for successfully guiding the international fusion community to its recent decision to construct ITER, the world's first fusion engineering test reactor.

The job opening is posted at:

http://chris.inel.gov/jobs/index.cfm?FuseAction=viewJobDescription&ID=19972&public=true

The announcement is as follows:

> Announcement Number: PN-ES-SC24-695
> Vacancy Description: Associate Director, Fusion Energy Sciences ES-1301
> 
> 
> Open Period: 12/23/2005 - 03/31/2006
> Salary: $107,550.00 - $162,100.00
> Hiring Agency: Chicago Operations Office
> Duty Location: Montgomery County [Includes Bethesda &Chevy Chase &
> Gaithersburg &Rockville &Silver Spring], MD
> 
> WHO MAY APPLY: All Sources.
> 
> ABOUT DOE: The Department of Energy's (DOE) overarching mission is enhancing
> national security. Responsibility for accomplishing this mission is shared
> between four principle program lines - National Defense; Energy; Science;
> and Environment. Operating nuclear production facilities, science
> laboratories, power marketing administrations, and environmental clean-up
> sites in 35 States, the Department is responsible for many key
> accomplishments in fields that include alternate fuel vehicles, biological
> and environmental research, energy efficiency, clean power and industrial
> technologies, medical technologies, gene research, and computers and
> microelectronics. DOE is the nation's top sponsor of research and
> development and has won more R&D awards than any private sector organization
> and twice as many as all other federal agencies combined. DOE's national
> defense programs are responsible for insuring the integrity and safety of
> the country's nuclear Weapons; promotion of international nuclear safety and
> non-proliferation; and administering the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program
> for the U.S. Navy. Visit our website at ENERGY.GOV to learn more about DOE.
> 
> Excellent Benefits are available including possible performance bonuses;
> comprehensive health long-term care, and life insurance plans; the Thrift
> Savings Program (401k) for which the agency matches employees' contributions
> up to 5%; vacation and paid sick leave; family friendly leave policies; 10
> paid holidays per year; transit benefits; fitness and health facilities; and
> coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System.
> 
> DUTIES: This position manages and directs the activities of the Office of
> Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) within the Office of Science (SC) to support
> SC's, the DOE's, and the nation's efforts to advance the understanding of
> fusion and plasma science and fusion technology.