Deputy Head - LIGO Hanford Observatory

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Job Summary

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) Laboratory seeks a dynamic and accomplished scientist to serve as Deputy Head and Senior Scientist at the LIGO Hanford Observatory (LHO) in Richland, Washington.

This position is located in Hanford, Washington.

LIGO Laboratory is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to observing the newly discovered gravitational-wave universe. Jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the LIGO Laboratory operates world-leading observatories near Richland, WA and Baton Rouge, LA as well as R&D centers on the Caltech and MIT campuses. The LIGO Laboratory's mission spans a broad and vibrant array of activities related to gravitational-wave physics and astronomy, including detector operations, R&D toward detector improvements, gravitational-wave astrophysics, observatory operations, and education and public outreach.

For more information, please visit the Laboratory website: www.ligo.caltech.edu

Essential Job Duties

As Deputy Observatory Head, the successful candidate will provide scientific, operational, and personnel leadership for the LIGO Hanford Observatory. This position blends high-level technical and scientific engagement in LIGO's detector program with senior management responsibilities for staff, operations, and observatory culture. Working closely with the Observatory Head, the Deputy will ensure that LHO maintains world-class scientific performance, operational excellence, and an inclusive, supportive workplace environment.

The Deputy Observatory Head will also continue to contribute as a Senior Scientist within the LIGO Laboratory, advancing detector sensitivity, stability, and astrophysical reach. This includes leading specific commissioning and detector improvement efforts, coordinating with LIGO's national and international partners, and providing technical mentorship and guidance to scientists, postdoctoral researchers, engineers, and students at the observatory.

This is an Essential Reporting position. In the event of an emergency on campus, an employee designated as essential reporting has essential job skills that are needed for response and recovery and is expected to report to Campus as soon as possible.

Observatory Leadership and Management (50%)

• Serve as the Deputy to the LHO Observatory Head, assuming leadership responsibilities in the Head's absence. With the Observatory Head, lead the scientific and technical mission of the LIGO Hanford Observatory (LHO).
• With the Observatory Head and the Operations Manager, serve as a contact for LHO staff regarding personnel, workplace, or operational concerns, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing observatory culture.
• Provide day-to-day oversight of selected observatory staff and teams, including scientists, engineers, operators, and postdoctoral researchers. Line-manage specific members of the science and operations team.
• With the Observatory Head, coordinate with LIGO Laboratory management, Caltech HR, and site staff to implement policies, resolve issues, and ensure compliance with institutional and laboratory standards.
• Support strategic planning, budget development, and resource allocation for LHO operations.
• Represent LHO in Laboratory-wide and collaboration-level management forums.
• Management of after-hours work to ensure personnel safety and observatory security via the observatory work-permit system.
• Serve on LIGO Laboratory management committees, including but not limited to Staffing, Operations Management, Lab Executive, and the Strategic Workforce Planning Committees, plus the Change Control Board.

Detector Science and Operations (30%)

• Lead or participate in elements of commissioning, noise reduction, and performance optimization of the 4 km Hanford detector, bringing it to and maintaining its designed astrophysical sensitivity.
• Direct or advise Detector Improvement (DI) projects, including design, implementation, and verification of noise-mitigation systems.
• Guide teams working on Newtonian Noise characterization and cancellation, feed-forward servos, and environmental noise coupling studies.
• Contribute to or co-lead LIGO Laboratory research and development projects toward next-generation detectors, including Cosmic Explorer.

Scientific Leadership and Collaboration (20%)

• Provide mentorship and career development support for postdocs, students, and junior staff at LHO.
• Engage with the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC), Virgo, and KAGRA partners regarding scheduling of observation runs, upgrades of detectors, and scientific performance goals.
• Publish and present scientific results from LIGO Hanford Observatory and collaborative research.
• Represent LHO and LIGO Laboratory in conferences, workshops, and public scientific forums.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics or closely related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in interferometric gravitational-wave detector science or a comparable field involving precision measurement systems.
• Proven record of technical and scientific leadership in detector commissioning, control systems, or noise mitigation.
• Experience supervising and mentoring technical and scientific staff in a research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and coordinate across multi-institutional collaborations.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills; ability to foster a collegial, inclusive, and respectful workplace.

Preferred Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of the design, commissioning, and operation of gravitational-wave interferometers.
• Experience with detector noise modeling, calibration, and environmental coupling studies.
• Familiarity with digital control systems, laser stabilization, or feed-forward noise subtraction.
• Experience interfacing with large, international scientific collaborations (e.g., LSC, Virgo, KAGRA).
• Record of leadership in scientific program or facility management.

Required Documents

• Resume.