Physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY

Organizational Overview

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is the scientific extreme scale Data Laboratory in the US. With over 125 PB of archived data, the Scientific Data & Computing Center (SDCC) at BNL hosts the largest scientific data archive in the US and the 3rd largest worldwide. This data comes largely from the many scientific user facilities that we support at BNL such as: the unique nuclear physics experiment RHIC, the brightest synchrotron in the world NSLS II, the largest Tier 1 center for the LHC Atlas experiment, the Japanese particle physics experiment Belle II, the Center for Functional Nano Materials and the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program. The data science program is accompanied by significant computational modeling research effort, in support of the design, planning, analysis and interpretation of experiments and their results. The Computational Science Initiative provides the laboratory wide umbrella for these activities, bringing together computer scientists, applied mathematicians and domain scientists to carry out leading edge research, convert research results into practical solutions that advance domain science and provide the necessary computing infrastructure services and training to support efficient operation.

Position Description

The Scientific Data & Computing Center (SDCC) currently has an opening for a Scientist to participate in varied computing and research activities. The selected candidate will be a member of the Physics Department and is expected to assume a lead role in expanding the SDCC activities in the nuclear and particle physics fields. This position has a high level of interaction with an international and multicultural scientific community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform a lead role in SDCC operational and development activities, including:
• Expanding the usage of federated identity management protocols
• Deployment of analytics and AI based monitoring tools
• Expanding capabilities of SDCC in support of future activities in the area of big data processing and analysis and edge computing
• Establishment of channels for improved inter-Lab collaborative effort
• Participate in the recruitment of IT professionals and scientific staff
• Produce research papers and management reporting documents
• Propose, plan and conduct a scientific and technology research program to contribute to the growth and diversification of the SDCC

Position Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• PhD in experimental particle physics, nuclear physics or closely related field
• At least 10 years of full-time relevant research experience (post PhD degree)
• Demonstrated track record in operations of distributed data center services
• Experience with producing documents with time-sensitive deadlines
• Experience with the operating of distributed high-availability computer and storage systems
• Working knowledge of best practices in data center cyber-security protocols
• Experience with analytics and big data processing tools

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience in experimental particle or nuclear physics research environment
• Broad knowledge of computing requirements for particle or nuclear physics
• Familiarity with distributed software and collaborative tools
• Operational experience with distributed computing, data management and workflow management systems
• Operational experience with federated identity management systems in the context of distributed computing and data management

Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements:

• Arm/Hand dexterity and good near vision for computer and keyboard use