Post Doctorate Research Associate - Engineering Data Scientist

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

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 Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management. The Earth Systems Science Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, provides leadership and solutions that advance Earth system opportunities for energy systems and national security. We are a multidisciplinary division connected by a shared commitment to innovate and collaborate towards solving complex problems in the dynamic Earth system.

Requirements

• Must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
• PhD degree in data science, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) with strong engineering application or PhD in engineering field with strong AI/ML and data science application.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience developing, training, and deploying AI/ML models (e.g., deep learning, physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), surrogate modeling, or predictive analytics) to solve physical and engineering problems.
• Strong proficiency in statistics, numerical modeling (e.g., Finite Element Methods), and high-performance computing.
• Strong understanding of earth systems processes and interrogative sensing. techniques to inform environmental conditions.
• Extensive experience with programming languages, including C/C++, Python, and R.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and meet project milestones.
• Strong communication skills for presenting complex scientific and engineering concepts, research results, and broader impacts to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• developing advanced sensing systems for earth system science and renewable energy. These next-generation sensors are not only fast, accurate, and versatile in terms of system performance but also lightweight, small, and soft. They can also be adapted for challenging environments such as deep subsurface and the Arctic environments, as well as for chemical detection.
• developing advanced energy-harvesting systems for small sensors/transmitters as well as remote sensing platforms.
• studying the environmental impact of conventional hydropower and marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems by detecting and tracking fish or other animals in the river or ocean using underwater acoustic telemetry.
• advanced sensor design, signal acquisition, data processing and algorithm development in laboratory settings and field environment, generation of intellectual properties, and writing of high-impact papers.

Benefits

• health insurance
• flexible work schedules
• 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
• fertility support
• company-funded pension plan
• 401 (k) savings plan with company match
• 120 vacation hours per year
• ten paid holidays per year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree