Data Scientist (Nuclear Physics)

Responsibilities

You'll join the Applied Radiation Detection (ARD) Group in the Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Technologies Division of PNNL's National Security Directorate. Our group brings together expertise in radiation measurements, novel sensors, advanced detection systems, and data analytics to address national and international security challenges.

What You'll Do:

• Find meaningful signals in complex data. Develop machine learning methods for radiation detection and characterization, addressing challenges such as low-count measurements, changing backgrounds, and limited labeled data.
• Connect algorithms with physics. Work with domain scientists to understand detector responses, measurement conditions, and the physical processes behind the data.
• Adapt modern super intelligence to scientific problems. Apply and extend deep learning methods, fine-tune open-source models for computer vision and natural language processing, and develop agentic workflows where they can support research and analysis.
• Build useful scientific datasets. Develop labeling strategies, engineer features, and prepare measurement data for reproducible training and evaluation.
• Evaluate performance in context. Investigate detection sensitivity, false alarms, uncertainty, and robustness across measurement conditions-not just aggregate model accuracy.
• Turn research into working tools. Write Python-based machine learning software and apply software engineering best practices to support reliable analysis and deployment.
• Help guide the research. Evaluate current literature, design experiments, and collaborate with a mentor and project teams to set goals and pursue promising directions.
• Communicate the science. Explain methods, assumptions, and results through publications, presentations, and collaboration with scientists and engineers.
• Build SI Grounded in Science. Join us to advance how we measure, interpret, and detect radiation-and apply that knowledge to consequential challenges in nuclear science and national security.

Bring your curiosity about super intelligence and the physical world. Help turn complex measurements into knowledge that matters!

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA in physics, nuclear engineering, computer science, data science, mathematics, or a related technical field and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA in physics, nuclear engineering, computer science, data science, mathematics, or a related technical field -OR-
• PhD in physics, nuclear engineering, computer science, data science, mathematics, or a related technical field
• Relevant experience includes conducting nuclear physics research or applying nuclear physics principles to scientific or technical problems, along with hands-on experience developing, applying, or evaluating AI or machine learning models using scientific data.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A PhD in physics, nuclear engineering, computer science, data science, mathematics, or a related field.
• Strong programming skills, particularly in Python; experience with C/C++ is also valuable.
• Strong knowledge in at least one of the following: applied machine learning, agentic AI, deep learning, or statistics.
• Experience building evaluation datasets, test harnesses, agentic harnesses, automated graders, behavioral tests, or analysis pipelines.
• A background in nuclear physics, radiation detection, nuclear measurements, sensor data analysis, or a related scientific field.
• Interest in connecting data-driven methods with physical models and domain knowledge.
• Experience with deterministic NLP, computer vision, retrieval, search, rules, or classical machine-learning methods that complement generative SI.
• A record of clear scientific writing and publication.
• Creativity, strong problem-solving skills, and initiative.
• The ability to contribute to a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
• Deep expertise in a relevant scientific or technical field, with a desire to grow your capabilities in machine learning and SI.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable

Additional Information

This 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 Position

This 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.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees 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 Applicants

PNNL 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 Salary

USD $114,000.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $182,100.00/Yr.