Mission & Functions

Mission

The Office of Science (SC) manages one of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) largest Program Offices and is one of the principal sponsors of U.S. basic research in the Federal government.  The mission of SC is to deliver the scientific discoveries, capabilities, and major scientific tools to transform the understanding of nature and to advance the energy, economic, and national security of the U.S. SC advances the scientific and technology foundations necessary to accomplish the DOE mission areas: efficiency in energy use, diverse and reliable energy sources, improved health and environmental quality, and fundamental understanding of matter and energy.

The SC research programs offices include High Energy Physics; Nuclear Physics; Basic Energy Sciences; Biological and Environmental Research; Advanced Scientific Computing Research; and Fusion Energy Sciences.  The programs are carried out at the Department's National Laboratories, other laboratories, universities, non-profit research organizations, and industry.  These program offices plan and execute some of the Nation's most critical, complex, and highest priority science initiatives, and construct and operate world-leading, open scientific facilities essential for advancing research in the physical and life sciences and ensure a competitive U.S. position in science and technology.  SC also oversees ten world-class DOE national laboratories, operated under contract.  The DOE national laboratory system and numerous advanced R&D user facilities (located primarily at the SC laboratories and SC-supported universities) make up the most comprehensive research system of its kind in the world. Site Offices located at each SC managed laboratory are responsible for administration and oversight of their laboratory's Management and Operating (M&O) contract, in collaboration with SC and DOE sponsors.  The SC field system also includes the Consolidated Service Center, which provides administrative, business, and technical services to the SC program offices, Site Offices, and other DOE Program Offices, included the administration of the large volume of SC financial assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements).

The Deputy Director for Science Programs is responsible for:

  • providing scientific and management oversight of existing and proposed research projects, and facilities, and related guidance to the SC Program Offices;
  • setting SC-specific policy related to the management of SC science programs; and
  • ensuring the SC research portfolio is integrated across the SC Program Offices, with other DOE Program Offices, and with other Federal agencies.

 

Organizational Structure

  1. Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR)
  2. Basic Energy Sciences (BES) 
  3. Biological and Environmental Research (BER) 
  4. Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)
  5. High Energy Physics (HEP)  
  6. Nuclear Physics (NP) 
  7. Office of Communications and Public Affairs
  8. Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI)
  9. Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS)
  10. Office of Grants and Contracts Support

 

Functions

Deputy Director for Science Programs

  1. Serves as the principal advisor to the SC Director regarding issues related to the management of the offices reporting to the Deputy Director for Science Programs.  Examples include determining the strategic direction, scientific program content, and budget priorities for the SC Program Offices and establishing SC-specific science and scientific program management policies.  Also serves as the principal advisor regarding matters relating to the research and development (R&D) programs and scientific/technical workforce of the SC laboratories.
  2. Responsible for setting SC-specific policy related to the management of SC science programs; and ensuring the SC research portfolio is integrated across the SC Program Offices, with other DOE Program Offices, and with other Federal agencies.
  3. Assists the SC Director in carrying out scientific duties and responsibilities, including formulating budget requests for the program offices reporting to this position.  Also coordinates with the Principal Deputy Director in the defense of Program Office budgets through DOE, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and Congressional committees.
  4. Provides scientific and line-management oversight of, and related direction to, the SC Program Offices (ASCR, BES, BER, FES, HEP, NP, and WDTS), Office of Communications and Public Affairs, Office of Scientific and Technical Information, and Office of Grants and Contract.  Recruits and appraises the performance of their Directors.
  5. Provides management oversight of international activities for the SC Program Offices in coordination with the Principal Deputy Director.  Ensures they are strategically conceived and executed to maximize the benefit to SC, the Department, and the United States.
  6. Manages the following programs, awards, and fellowships:
    • The Office of Science’s Early Career Research Program, which is budgeted and awarded in the six SC Program Offices
    • The Office of Science Distinguished Scientists Fellow, which is budgeted and awarded through the six SC Program Offices
    • The Department of Energy’s participation in the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), bestowed by the U.S. Government
    • The Enrico Fermi Presidential Award, bestowed by the U.S. Government
    • The Department of Energy’s Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award, bestowed by the Secretary of Energy
  7. Establishes and implements specific policies, plans, and procedures related to the management of the SC Program Offices.  Examples include execution and utilization of peer reviews; the utilization of Advisory Committees and Committees of Visitors; review and management of program activities and the scientific user facilities; review of laboratory strategic plans and evaluation of SC sponsored activities at DOE national laboratories; dissemination of research results, including digital data; the use of performance measures; and strategic interactions with the scientific community. Establishes and chairs working groups when appropriate.  Sets expectations for performance in these areas.
  8. Works with the Principal Deputy Director to establish the SC position regarding the impact of proposed or revised legislation, Executive Orders, and DOE policies affecting the research programs funded by the Office of Science.
  9. Establishes priorities for the Program Direction budgets for the offices reporting to the Deputy Director for Science Programs.
  10. Champions SC interests regarding the development of policies, requirements, or initiatives by the Department, other Executive Branch agencies, or the Congress affecting the research programs funded by the Office of Science.  Works to resolve disputes at the highest levels of the Department whenever necessary.
  11. Manages activities common to multiple SC Program Offices and champions research and facility initiatives that affect more than one SC Program Office reporting to the Deputy Director for Science Programs.   Examples of common activities affecting the Program Offices include: coordination of responses to DOE, other-agency, OSTP, and Congressional inquiries; cross-program governance and uniformity of the SC website; strategic interactions with the scientific community; and review of Laboratory news releases. Establishes consistent policies and procedures and establishes and chairs working groups when appropriate. Sets expectations for performance in these areas.
  12. Monitors and assesses the effectiveness of the performance measures used to evaluate the execution of the research programs funded by the Office of Science.
  13. Ensures integration of SC Program Office efforts.  Also ensures that SC research programs are integrated with the Department’s applied energy and environmental R&D programs as well as those of other Federal agencies. Works with the Principal Deputy Director to integrate SC research with defense R&D programs.
  14. Provides stewardship, guidance, and management oversight of communications activities to generate awareness, understanding, and support for scientific discovery and SC basic research.
  15. Manages the collection, preservation, and dissemination of scientific and technical information from DOE-funded R&D activities
  16. Manages and executes the financial actions that deliver funds to the field, and is the acquisition, financial assistance, and contract management advisor to the Science Director.
  17. Ensures that DOE and the Nation have a sustained pipeline of highly skilled and diverse science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workers to achieve the SC mission.
  18. Works with the Principal Deputy Director and Deputy Director for Field Operations to support the requirements and needs of a coordinated and integrated research effort across the HQ SC programs, site offices, and laboratories through business and resource management operations-related activities.
  19. Works with the Deputy Director for Field Operations to integrate research program activities with operations-related activities.  Ensures SC Associate Directors maintain working relationships with DOE Field Managers to effectively integrate SC science programs with laboratory operations at national laboratories performing SC-sponsored research.
  20. Represents SC and makes commitments for the Department in discussions and meetings with high-level government and private sector officials.  Meetings are typically with members of Congress and representatives of other science funding and policy agencies, including OMB, OSTP, the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council, and the National Science and Technology Council.
  21. Manages the Forrestal and Germantown offices of SC-3, including activities such as: support for personnel recruiting and evaluation of SC-3 staff; administrative activities and functions for SC-3 staff; travel for SC-3 and SC-3 staff; equipment maintenance; office supplies; and office moves.