OverviewAt PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Integrated Discovery Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world.
The Emerging Threats and Technologies Division, part of the National Security Directorate, consists of over 400 scientists, engineers, and analysts with backgrounds in cyber, nuclear, intelligence, policy, data science, and other fields. We work in interdisciplinary project teams to provide innovative concepts that integrate policy, analytics, science, and technology into unique solutions.
ResponsibilitiesETT delivers threat-informed approaches to research and development (R&D) and a culture of research to operations to harness the opportunities from emerging and disruptive technologies while at the same time countering the threats that arise from them. Our teams address complex national security problems by applying cutting-edge data science and leverage PNNL's broad research capabilities to generate insight on emerging threats and technologies.
We are seeking a Data Scientist with expertise in AI and a passion for solving mission-critical challenges to join our team. They will be a key member of an interdisciplinary team, focused on delivering data-driven solutions that address critical national security challenges within the nuclear nonproliferation, policy, and emerging technology domains. This individual will collaborate with peers to apply AI and machine learning models, analyze datasets, work with domain experts for applied use alignment, and perform research that bridges cutting-edge methods and field-ready solutions. The candidate will support PNNL's mission by contributing to impactful R&D projects that help tackle national challenges.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to grow professionally while working on diverse, mission-focused projects. At PNNL, we foster a collaborative and innovative work environment aimed at lifelong learning, creative problem-solving, and advancing interdisciplinary, data-driven innovation.
Responsibilities Include
- Design and implement AI/data science solutions to address complex national security problems, with a focus on nuclear nonproliferation, strategic policy analysis, and emerging/disruptive technology assessment.
- Design and implement AI/data science solutions to address complex technical challenges, including all-source analysis, object detection, data fusion, and end-to-end data science workflows.
- Design, develop, and implement methods, processes, and systems to analyze diverse datasets, including approaches that traverse and integrate modalities.
- Demonstrate ability to transfer skills across application domains with a deployment-focused approach, specifically in support of non-proliferation mission.
- Develop and evaluate predictive models and advanced algorithms to extract actionable value from structured and unstructured data.
- Identify and assess domain-relevant data resources; translate findings into actionable technical approaches and mission-relevant capabilities.
- Apply machine learning, data modeling, and software engineering to integrate and clean data, quantify uncertainty, identify patterns, and generate insights from high-dimensional datasets.
- Understanding how to traverse the nexus of policy, data science, and software engineering to develop data science solutions against real-world constraints.
- Deliver solutions driven by exploratory data analysis and rapid prototyping, with a focus on transition to operational use.
- Build and maintain external partnerships that strengthen the team's technical reputation and align outcomes with sponsor priorities.
- Serve as a principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on projects and tasks that integrate multiple capabilities and/or interdisciplinary approaches.
- Mentor and guide junior staff, fostering technical excellence and professional development.
Required Skills:- Experience distinguishing between when it is appropriate to use classical statistics/modeling versus standard machine learning versus frontier modeling or agentic systems
- Capable of setting up a data management solution for scientific data and implementing tooling to support/enforce it
- Experience mentoring and working with staff from other disciplines in how to apply novel analysis methods to their work
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
- MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
- PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated ability to rapidly assess ambiguous situations, exercise sound judgment with limited time/inputs, and communicate well-considered recommendations.
- Experience applying traditional statistical methods, ML, and AI to unimodal and multimodal open-source data (e.g., text, image, audio, video, graph), including preprocessing, representation/encoding, and task-specific modeling/decoding.
- Experience with scientific data modalities include microscopy, radiation spectra, or mass spectrometry.
- Strong proficiency in Python and experience with ML/AI frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face).
- Experience navigating research codebases (e.g., notebooks, prototype scripts) and translating them into maintainable, production-ready components.
- Experience designing and deploying scalable ML pipelines or AI-enabled tools in operational or mission-critical environments (on-prem and/or cloud).
- Experience in data management for AI applications including system design, version control, and experimental dataset curation.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills; ability to bridge research, engineering, and domain stakeholders.
- Proficiency in at least one general-purpose programming language (e.g., Python, R, Julia, Java, C/C++).
Experience working with sensitive and/or classified data in a national security context (preferred). - Demonstrated experience applying Intelligence Community Directives pertaining to collection and disseminating all-source intelligence analysis.
- Experience leading small to mid-sized teams (approximately 5+ staff) to deliver applied technical work.
- Experience briefing non-technical audiences.
Hazardous Working Conditions/EnvironmentNot Applicable
Additional InformationThis position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.
Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
- Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.
Testing Designated PositionThis position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.
About PNNLPacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State-the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab's campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment OpportunityOur laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at
Drug Free WorkplacePNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility RequirementsAs a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.
Mandatory RequirementsPlease be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a "country of risk" without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.
Rockstar RewardsEmployees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
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Notice to ApplicantsPNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.
As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.
Minimum SalaryUSD $140,200.00/Yr.
Maximum SalaryUSD $228,800.00/Yr.
