Senior Research Scientist – Telecommunications Cybersecurity

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

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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 Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is accelerating the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy.
The Energy Systems Engineering Group (ESEG) is focused on developing software tools and computing methods to speed up and scale the design and operations of energy systems while maintaining the security of critical assets and buildings. The group is comprised of 30+ research staff organized into 4 teams and applies capabilities in systems architecture, coordination of grid devices, next generation sensing and measurement, advanced computing, and grid edge application development to achieve these results.
PNNL is seeking a highly experienced cybersecurity grid researcher to lead and contribute to advanced research in areas of secure communications and grid cybersecurity. This role will focus on developing strategies, tools, and use cases that enhance the resilience and security of critical infrastructure communications, while supporting broader cybersecurity initiatives across multiple programs.
This position will play a key role in advancing PNNL’s mission to secure critical infrastructure and enable resilient communications for the nation’s energy systems. The successful candidate will contribute to high-visibility programs and help shape the future of cybersecurity research at PNNL.

Requirements

• BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• PhD with 3+ year of relevant experience

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with critical infrastructure protection, grid modernization, and telecommunications security.
• Extensive experience developing standards-based cybersecurity programs across multiple organizations (e.g., utilities, national laboratories, private sector).
• Deep technical expertise in telecommunications cybersecurity, grid cybersecurity, and timing systems.
• Experience engaging with industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
• Proven ability to lead research projects, develop use cases, and deliver technical solutions in complex environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience producing technical documentation and white papers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and propose projects with goals such as preventing unauthorized access, monitoring network traffic for anomalies, and implementing complementary communications security methods.
• Contribute to industry engagement and training, including collaboration with telecom providers, regulators, vendors, and utilities.
• Leveraging expertise in timing systems to accelerate delivery on Positioning, Navigation, and Timing projects
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to advance cybersecurity research and the application of standards in advanced grid technology areas such as secure communications.
• Lead development of documentation and publications supporting the research.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

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