Post Bachelors Research Associate - Scientific GUI Development & ML​/Data Analytics

Overview

PNNL's core capabilities are divided among major directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or 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 the 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 Physical Detection Systems and Deployment Division, part of the National Security Directorate, delivers policy-informed technology solutions by removing barriers to real-world implementation. We strive to understand end-user environments to transition technology from the developmental stage to deployment. Our diverse expertise in operational systems provides tools, technologies, and approaches for combating a range of threats, both at home and in more than 100 countries around the globe.

PNNL is seeking a highly motivated Post‑Baccalaureate Research Associate to support research and development of advanced scientific software tools for chemistry and plasma/laser‑based experiments. The successful candidate will contribute to (1) the design and implementation of a cross‑platform graphical user interface (GUI) framework that integrates modeling, simulation, and data‑science tools for chemistry‑focused experiments, and (2) machine‑learning‑based data analytics for high‑volume datasets arising from plasma physics and laser‑based experimental campaigns.

The primary responsibilities will include extending a modern desktop application (Next.js frontend with a Rust/Tauri core) to host multiple analysis and modeling tools, optimizing Python‑based data processing workflows, and developing and applying machine learning and data‑analytics methods to complex time‑ and space‑resolved datasets. The work will be performed in close collaboration with subject matter experts in chemistry, plasma physics, and laser‑based experimentation, and will include contributions to technical reports and peer‑reviewed publications.

• Design, implement, and maintain modular GUI pages and navigation for scientific models and analysis workflows, including data loading, parameter input, error handling, and visualization.
• Develop and maintain Rust/Tauri backend commands and inter‑process communication logic to invoke external executables and Python scripts, using robust JSON‑based argument passing and result collection.
• Integrate and optimize Python‑based data processing pipelines for large chemistry‑related datasets (e.g., spectroscopy, solvent‑extraction runs), including multiprocessing/parallelization for curve fitting, batch processing, and time‑resolved analysis.
• Develop interactive visualization capabilities (plots, sliders for higher‑dimensional exploration, and movie generation from plot sequences) with streamlined options for saving/exporting plots and processed data.
• Implement and refine analysis tools such as detection of reaction start and end times (derivative‑based methods, statistical tests, logistic fits, plateau and anomaly detection) and extraction of spectral/absorbance information at specific wavelengths for individual chemical species.
• For plasma/laser‑based experiments, develop Python‑based data pipelines and apply machine learning methods (e.g., regression, pattern recognition, anomaly detection, surrogate modeling) to experimental and simulation datasets, in close coordination with plasma/laser subject matter experts.
• Prepare written progress summaries, internal technical reports, and presentation materials; contribute as a co‑author to manuscripts, conference abstracts, and other scientific publications.
• Communicate regularly with mentors, co‑mentors, and project team members to plan, execute, and document research tasks; present results in group meetings and reviews.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have received a…