Senior Data Scientist III- AI Assurance Researcher

About the Role

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 NSD, 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.

PNNL is seeking a Senior Data Scientist - AI Assurance Researcher who has experience in understanding, exploring, and manipulating the internal mechanics and behaviors of AI models can provides valuable insights into the decision boundaries and mathematical fingerprints of data properties. The selected candidate should have extensive experience training models, accessing and working with data embeddings, the ability to derive theoretical queries from empirical results, and demonstrate the capacity to translate research papers and findings into mission relevant insights and tools.

Responsibilities

• Defines and leads research agendas in areas such as explainable AI, adversarial machine learning, AI safety, and the science of deep learning.
• Designs and executes rigorous ML experiments at scale, including large-scale training and evaluation on HPC infrastructure.
• Develops novel evaluation methodologies that go beyond standard performance metrics to assess generalization, robustness, and out-of-distribution behavior.
• Analyzes the internal structures and representations of deep learning models, with emphasis on large language models and large vision models.
• Interprets empirical results to identify promising research directions and guide strategic investment of team resources.
• Establishes best practices for research code quality, reproducibility, and integration into operational pipelines.
• Mentors junior researchers and engineers, fostering a culture of scientific rigor and collaborative inquiry.
• Conducts work in secure environments with adherence to operational security requirements.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience or
• MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience or
• PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field.
• Deep familiarity with the current ML research landscape, particularly in explainable AI, adversarial machine learning, AI safety, and the science of deep learning.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications or technical contributions in relevant research areas.
• Hands-on experience analyzing the internal structures and representations of deep learning models, particularly large language models and large vision models.
• Strong proficiency in PyTorch and associated deep learning libraries.
• Experience designing and executing large-scale experiments on HPC systems.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research prototypes into deployable tools and capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Location & Schedule

This position is based in either Richland, WA or Seattle, WA and requires an onsite presence.

Security Clearance

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.

• U.S. Citizenship required
• 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.

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.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.