Nuclear Detection and Data Scientist; National Security

Position: Nuclear Detection and Data Scientist (National Security)
"Overview

At 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, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational 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 Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Technologies Division, within the National Security Directorate, works across fundamental science, research and development, and operations to counter emerging national security threats. We focus on discovering signatures and understanding threats by creating materials, methods, and technologies to detect and analyze them. Our researchers deliver the solutions necessary for addressing complex mission challenges, such as explosives detection, biological threat detection, chemical and nuclear forensics, and special nuclear materials.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a new staff scientist to help shape project focus, drive, and success across the applied AI/ML mission space. Our group pursues highly-applied detection projects in support of international treaties, homeland security, nuclear security, safeguards and fundamental science. Within these projects we utilize data analytics, advanced algorithm development using AI/ML, nuclear science, novel sensor development, and state-of-the-art detection systems to pursue national and international security.

This position will reside in the Applied Radiation Detection Group, Nuclear Chemical and Biological Technologies Division of the National Security Directorate. The Applied Radiation Detection (ARD) Group is focused on the research and development of radiation-detection-based technologies for important end users including in-field and lab-based measurement systems.

If you love science and the National Security Mission we get to participate in, then join us!

Basic Responsibilities:

* Applying existing deep learning solutions to novel problems

* Fine-tuning of open-source models for CV and NLP

* Labeling and feature engineering for novel datasets

* Applying ML models to large datasets

* Reading, understanding, making comments on, and expanding state-of-the-art deep learning research

* Employ machine learning and agentic process flow expertise to develop and deploy innovative solutions

* Develop a working knowledge of software engineering best practices

* Develop machine learning software using strong Python programming skills

* Leverage problem-solving and design skills to solve challenging technical problems

* Stay current with developments in industry and academia

* Collaborate with mentor to decide directions and set goals

* Demonstrate outstanding verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work in a collaborative environment

* Be passionate and self-motivated with good time management skills

Qualifications

Minimum 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:

* Ph.D. in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics; will also consider candidates possessing a Ph.D. in a related field

* Excellent in programming (e.g., Python, C/C++, etc.)

* Excellent skills in writing publications

* Strong familiarity in at least one of: applied machine learning, Agentic AI, deep learning, statistics

* Background in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics or related fields

* Demonstrated creativity and highly developed problem-solving skills

* Initiative and interpersonal skills with desire and ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment

* Deep domain knowledge and willingness to grow into machine learning…