For release: February 27, 2007

Contacts: 
Steve Karsjen, Public Affairs, (515) 294-5643

ISU'S INSTITUTE FOR PHYSICAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TO GET SEPARATE DIRECTOR

Search firm retained to assist in filling Ames Laboratory Director post

AMES, IA ­ The Institute for Physical Research and Technology will be getting its own director, John Brighton, vice president for research and economic development at Iowa State University, told IPRT and Ames Laboratory employees at an all–hands meeting February 27. Since 1998, Tom Barton has been the director of both IPRT and the Ames Laboratory. Barton is stepping down on February 28 and plans to return to ISU’s chemistry faculty. A search for an Ames Lab director has been underway since December.

Acting on recommendations by Barton and others from the two organizations, Brighton said he wants to continue the close administrative coupling between IPRT and Ames Laboratory. “We want to retain what is the best of both Ames Lab and IPRT and really push even more of that collaboration and work that does so well together,” he said.

Toward that end, the new IPRT director will also serve half-time as a deputy director or senior member of the Ames Lab. Both the new Ames Lab director and the IPRT director will report directly to Brighton. The IPRT director will probably be named before a new director of the Ames Lab is on the job, according to Brighton. “I think it’s really important to get on with defining what IPRT’s going to be,” he said. IPRT has 11 scientific research centers, of which Ames Laboratory is the largest, as well as a company assistance group that works to help Iowa companies.

The search for an IPRT director will focus on internal candidates. “We strongly encourage candidates within the Ames Laboratory and IPRT to be considered for this position,” said Brighton, who is creating a committee to help guide the process and recommend and interview candidates. He added he will set up ways for IPRT and Ames Lab employees to be involved in the process.

“It’s going to be hard to replace Tom [Barton] in the director’s position,” Brighton said. “We’re going to try to do that with two people. I’m sure it won’t come close, but we’ll do the best we can.”

At the same meeting, Bruce Thompson, director of IPRT’s Center for Nondestructive Evaluation and chairman of the Ames Laboratory director search committee, updated employees on the group’s progress. Parker Executive Search, a search firm that has worked with ISU in the past, has been enlisted to assist with the process. The job description has been completed and is posted on the ISU Web site and at the Parker site (www.parkersearch.com).

Thompson said the key right now is to nominate candidates. “The search is only going to be successful if we nominate and encourage the best possible candidates,” he said. Employees should have received an e-mail from Ames Laboratory Human Resources with the details on how to make a nomination. He said the committee hopes to do off-site interviews in May, resulting in three or so finalists coming to campus in June.

The Institute for Physical Research and Technology, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2007, is a network of scientific research centers at ISU. Through its company assistance efforts, IPRT helps Iowa companies solve technical problems, create new products and increase productivity and quality.

Ames Laboratory, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2007, is operated for the Department of Energy by Iowa State University. The Lab conducts research into various areas of national concern, including energy resources, high-speed computer design, environmental cleanup and restoration, and the synthesis and study of new materials.

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