Principal Advisor, Scientific Data Analytics

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•UNAVAILABLE, UNAVAILABLE

2d•Remote

About The Position

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 AI and Data Analytics Division, part of the National Security Directorate, combines profound domain expertise and creative integration of advanced hardware and software to deliver computational solutions that address complex data and analytic challenges. Working in multidisciplinary teams, we connect foundational research to engineering to operations, providing the tools to innovate quickly and field results faster. Our strengths are integrated across the data analytics lifecycle, from data acquisition and management to analysis and decision support. The Principal Advisor is a senior strategic role focused on the intersection of science and data analytics. The advisor will work across PNNL, U.S. Government sponsors, other national laboratories, industry, and academia to define research priorities and develop programs that use data-intensive and AI-enabled approaches to address science challenges. The successful candidate will bring recognized experience in a life science discipline, a strong record of building mission-driven research programs, and the ability to unite scientists, data scientists, engineers, analysts, and policymakers around clearly defined outcomes. This is a strategy and program-development role that requires technical fluency across both life science and data science, not a laboratory research or software development position.

Requirements

BS/BA and 13 years of experience developing or leading research programs -OR- MS/MA or higher and 11 years of experience developing or leading research programs
Experience briefing and supporting senior U.S. Government leaders
U.S. Citizenship
Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
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).
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.
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.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates: If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.
The Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in a life science discipline.
Demonstrated technical fluency in both life science and data-intensive analytical methods.
Documented success defining a new research direction and growing it into one or more externally funded, multi-year programs.
Five or more years leading multidisciplinary teams or portfolios that included both life scientists and data scientists, computational researchers, or engineers.
Demonstrated experience establishing research partnerships across at least three of the following: government agencies, national laboratories, universities, nonprofit research organizations, and industry.
Experience in a DOE national laboratory or a comparable federally funded research and development center.

Responsibilities

Set the research direction for data-enabled science
Work with sponsors and PNNL leaders to identify priority science challenges, then translate them into focused research questions, success measures, and investment roadmaps.
Shape a coherent portfolio spanning areas such as computational biology/chemistry and AI-enabled research.
Develop and grow sponsor-driven research programs
Establish and strengthen relationships with government sponsors and mature high-value concepts into funded, multi-year research programs with defined mission outcomes.
Align scientific objectives with sponsor requirements, policy and operational constraints, technology readiness, and pathways for transition or adoption.
Lead multidisciplinary teams and partnerships
Build durable collaborations with government agencies, national laboratories, universities, and industry; lead working sessions that produce clear requirements, decisions, and follow-on actions.
Advise senior leaders and strengthen staff capability
Brief senior government and laboratory leaders on emerging analytical approaches, clearly communicating technical implications, limitations, and investment choices.
Mentor staff on sponsor engagement, program development, and executive communication while ensuring technical and analytic products are rigorous, policy-relevant, and actionable.