Sandia National Labs FY20 LDRD Annual Report

FY20 ANNUAL REPORT

Top 2% A relevant indicator of career advancement in an ST&E field is the recognition of individuals as distinguished members of the technical staff. These staff members are named Senior Scientists/ Engineers at Sandia, Fellows at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and Distinguished Members of the Technical Staff at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The shorthand name used here, “Top 2%,” comes from the intent at each laboratory to limit membership to the top 1% or 2% of scientific and technical staff. Typically nominated and screened by a committee, the Top 2% are recognized for something similar to a lifetime achievement award, in this case, for contribution to their laboratory’s mission. Each year at Sandia, a small number of staff are specially appointed to the rank of Senior Scientist/ Engineer, an honor based on exceptional leadership and consistent outstanding contributions to national security missions. In FY20, nine out of the 16 staff promoted to Senior Scientist/Engineer were involved in the LDRD program as a PI or team member. Over the past decade, more than 60% of Sandia’s Top 2% have LDRD roots. In addition to the Senior Scientist/Engineer appointment, Sandia reserves a special recognition for an elite group of individuals – Sandia Fellows – who are recognized for careers of significant technical accomplishment for the Labs and for the nation. Only 15 individuals in Sandia’s history have held this title. Seven of these Fellows are currently on staff, and all seven have been involved with LDRD in their careers. In a timely example, one Fellow, Gil Herrera, coordinated COVID-19 research efforts across Sandia’s 14,000-strong workforce. Read more about how technology developed through LDRD investments helped with the pandemic response and how LDRD investments in rapid- response activities made a real-time difference.

LDRD and Top 2% Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories Single Years Five Years

To Date*

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY11-15

FY16-20

FY11-20

Total Awards

9

11

16

22

46

68

Awards with LDRD Roots

3

9

13

9

34

43

% with LDRD Roots

33% 81% 81%

40%

73%

63%

Average Years from First LDRD Experience

15.0

19.9

19.8

13.7

18.2

16.5

*Initial year to date: Each NNSA laboratory has chosen the appropriate lookback period to ensure data integrity.

“Top 2%” – staff are specially appointed to the rank of Senior Scientist/ Engineer, an honor based on exceptional leadership and consistent outstanding contributions to national security missions.

14

LABORATORY DIRECTED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

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