UC officials have announced the launch of the search committee to find a permanent replacement for Steven Chu, who left his position as director for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to join the Obama administration.

Chu, who officially became the U.S Secretary of Energy in January, had led the U.S. Department of Energy-supported lab since August 2004 when he stepped down from his position.

The 11-member committee, which will advise UC President Mark Yudof in his selection, is made up of UC Regents, professors and scientists from across the UC system and the Berkeley Lab. Two UC Berkeley professors who work in the lab are also on the committee.

Officials hope to have a candidate to bring to the UC Board of Regents for approval by December.

Committee member Henry Powell, who is the vice chair of the UC Academic Senate and professor of pathology at UCSD's School of Medicine, said the senate is looking for a candidate with strong scientific leadership.

"It's actually strengthening the ties between the national lab and researchers in the system," Powell said. "I think the Senate could have a role in helping people in getting collaborative on projects."

Despite the nearly six-month gap between Chu's departure and the forming of the committee, the process is on schedule, said UC spokesperson Chris Harrington.

"We wanted to make sure we were able to commit the time and resources to the search and that's what we're doing right now," he said.

Since February, UC Berkeley professor Paul Alivisatos, who was previously the lab's deputy director, has served as its interim director.

According to the job description, the Berkeley Lab director will be the liaison to the Department of Energy and UC System and is responsible for managing the lab's research programs.

The Berkeley Lab currently employs nearly 6,000 people total with an annual budget of $600 million.

"We're looking for a true leader," Harrington said. "Someone that understands the complexity of the facility and the critical role that it plays in the Department of Energy National Lab Complex."

Zach A. Williams of the Daily Californian contributed to this report.

Tags: LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY