Hiring Event - Chief Data Scientist V

With new projects and expanding programs, our AI and Data Analytics Division offers opportunities to advance cutting-edge research and build solutions for critical national security missions. Join a team of more than 400 data scientists, software engineers, mathematicians, and human-centered computing researchers turning ambitious ideas into real-world capabilities.

We’re looking for passionate Chief Data Scientists who are motivated to advance the state of the art in AI for national security missions.

Skills We’re Seeking:

• Hyperspectral: Advance mission-focused applications of hyperspectral imaging, remote sensing, and geospatial intelligence. We are looking for experienced data scientists with strong scientific foundations and expertise in spectral sensing, radiometric and atmospheric correction, machine learning-based detection and classification, spectral unmixing, multimodal data fusion, sensor characterization, or related GEOINT workflows.
• Generative AI & Agentic Systems Research: Advance applied research in adapting and aligning foundation models, designing advanced reasoning architectures, and enhancing the performance, behavior, or capabilities of agentic frameworks. Relevant expertise includes training, alignment, parameter-efficient tuning, and augmenting LLMs/VLMs, or designing novel agentic architectures with advanced routing, retrieval, tool integration, and state-space representation. Opportunities include investigating and transitioning enhanced AI capabilities for complex, mission-specific reasoning, high-consequence decision support, reasoning over unstructured or semi-structured knowledge bases, and mission-informed tasks operating under real-world constraints.
• AI Test & Evaluation: Lead research efforts in defining, designing, and validating rigorous Test & Evaluation (T&E) methods to characterize the capabilities, limitations, and operational readiness of AI models and systems. Relevant expertise includes evaluation beyond aggregate metrics, probing model internals, explainable AI, adversarial ML (blue/red teaming), uncertainty quantification, mechanistic interpretability, robustness, and the scientific design of automated evaluation harnesses. Opportunities include shaping the technical direction of T&E for large-scale programs and conducting deep-learning research to investigate how models represent information, characterize how they behave, and develop methods to improve reliability.

• BS/BA and 9+ years of data science experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 7+ years of data science experience -OR-
• PhD with 5+ years of data science experience
• Experience with Python and AI/ML frameworks.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not applicable.

Additional Information

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

• 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.

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $194,900.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $329,000.00/Yr.

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, Integrated Discovery 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 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 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., Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State-the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs., Please be aware that 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.