Data Scientist II - AI Assurance Researcher
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States
Overview
At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments referred to as Directorates, focusing on specific areas of scientific research or other functions, each 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. The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science‑based, mission‑focused solutions to complex real‑world threats. The AI and Data Analytics Division, part of the NSD, integrates advanced hardware and software to deliver computational solutions that address complex data and analytic challenges, connecting foundational research to engineering and operations across the data analytics lifecycle.
Responsibilities
PNNL is seeking a Data Scientist II – AI Assurance Researcher who has experience understanding, exploring, and manipulating the internal mechanics and behaviors of AI models and can provide valuable insights into decision boundaries and mathematical fingerprints of data properties. The selected candidate should have extensive experience training models, accessing and working with data embeddings, deriving theoretical queries from empirical results, and translating research papers into mission‑relevant insights and tools.
Key Responsibilities
Designs and executes rigorous ML experiments following community best practices, including large‑scale training and evaluation on HPC infrastructure.
Evaluates AI systems across multiple dimensions, including standard performance metrics, 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.
Assesses empirical results to identify trends, inform research direction, and recommend next steps.
Writes high‑quality, well‑documented research code that supports reproducibility and collaboration.
Contributes to publications and technical reports that communicate findings to both internal and external audiences.
Collaborates with senior researchers, engineers, and cross‑functional teams to integrate research into broader systems and workflows.
Conducts work in secure environments with adherence to operational security requirements.
This position is based in either Richland, WA or Seattle, WA and requires an onsite presence.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience – OR – MS/MA – OR – PhD
Preferred Qualifications
Degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field.
Familiarity with the current ML research landscape, particularly in explainable AI, adversarial machine learning, AI safety, and the science of deep learning.
Hands‑on experience analyzing the internal structures of deep learning models, particularly large language models and large vision models.
Proficiency in PyTorch and associated deep learning libraries.
Experience designing and executing experiments on HPC systems.
Experience in translating research prototypes into deployable tools and capabilities.
Demonstrated strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multi‑disciplinary team environment.
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment
Not applicable.
Additional Information
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance. A federal security clearance background investigation includes a review of employment, education, financial, and criminal history, interviews with references, neighbors, and co‑workers, and examination of foreign connections, drug use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.
Requirements:
U.S. Citizenship
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 the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre‑employment drug testing, and post‑employment random drug testing. 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.
Testing Designated Position
This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). 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.
Benefits and Compensation
Minimum Salary: USD $114,000.00 per year.
Maximum Salary: USD $182,100.00 per year.
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. (Research Associates excluded; all benefits are dependent on eligibility.)
Commitment to Equality
Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.
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At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments referred to as Directorates, focusing on specific areas of scientific research or other functions, each 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. The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science‑based, mission‑focused solutions to complex real‑world threats. The AI and Data Analytics Division, part of the NSD, integrates advanced hardware and software to deliver computational solutions that address complex data and analytic challenges, connecting foundational research to engineering and operations across the data analytics lifecycle.
Responsibilities
PNNL is seeking a Data Scientist II – AI Assurance Researcher who has experience understanding, exploring, and manipulating the internal mechanics and behaviors of AI models and can provide valuable insights into decision boundaries and mathematical fingerprints of data properties. The selected candidate should have extensive experience training models, accessing and working with data embeddings, deriving theoretical queries from empirical results, and translating research papers into mission‑relevant insights and tools.
Key Responsibilities
Designs and executes rigorous ML experiments following community best practices, including large‑scale training and evaluation on HPC infrastructure.
Evaluates AI systems across multiple dimensions, including standard performance metrics, 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.
Assesses empirical results to identify trends, inform research direction, and recommend next steps.
Writes high‑quality, well‑documented research code that supports reproducibility and collaboration.
Contributes to publications and technical reports that communicate findings to both internal and external audiences.
Collaborates with senior researchers, engineers, and cross‑functional teams to integrate research into broader systems and workflows.
Conducts work in secure environments with adherence to operational security requirements.
This position is based in either Richland, WA or Seattle, WA and requires an onsite presence.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience – OR – MS/MA – OR – PhD
Preferred Qualifications
Degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field.
Familiarity with the current ML research landscape, particularly in explainable AI, adversarial machine learning, AI safety, and the science of deep learning.
Hands‑on experience analyzing the internal structures of deep learning models, particularly large language models and large vision models.
Proficiency in PyTorch and associated deep learning libraries.
Experience designing and executing experiments on HPC systems.
Experience in translating research prototypes into deployable tools and capabilities.
Demonstrated strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multi‑disciplinary team environment.
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment
Not applicable.
Additional Information
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance. A federal security clearance background investigation includes a review of employment, education, financial, and criminal history, interviews with references, neighbors, and co‑workers, and examination of foreign connections, drug use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.
Requirements:
U.S. Citizenship
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 the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre‑employment drug testing, and post‑employment random drug testing. 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.
Testing Designated Position
This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). 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.
Benefits and Compensation
Minimum Salary: USD $114,000.00 per year.
Maximum Salary: USD $182,100.00 per year.
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. (Research Associates excluded; all benefits are dependent on eligibility.)
Commitment to Equality
Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.
#J-18808-Ljbffr