Nuclear Data Scientist

At Idaho National Laboratory (INL), you will help advance the Genesis Mission-a strategic collaboration between INL and the U.S. Department of Energy to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and scientific innovation to solve the nation's most complex energy, national security, and critical infrastructure challenges. As part of a multidisciplinary research team, you will analyze complex data and develop innovative computational solutions across cloud, on-premises, and edge computing environments.

You will apply emerging technologies, including explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), large language models (LLMs), retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and physics-informed machine learning to support cutting-edge research and mission objectives. This role includes developing advanced software solutions, visualization tools, and scalable analytics while collaborating with scientists, engineers, government agencies, academia, and industry partners to deliver impactful research outcomes. Successful candidates will contribute to technical publications, strengthen INL's leadership in AI-enabled scientific discovery, and support DOE's vision for the future of national laboratory research through the Genesis initiative.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the DOE-INL Genesis initiative by developing innovative AI, machine learning, and advanced computing capabilities that accelerate scientific discovery and enable transformational solutions for national energy, security, and critical infrastructure challenges.
• Analyze complex data and generate actionable insights in response to data analytics, visualization, modeling, and simulation needs across cloud, on-premises, and edge-based computational environments.
• Design, develop, and apply advanced technologies including Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), Machine Learning (ML), Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), physics-informed machine learning, systems performance analysis, and data sensor fusion methodologies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, software developers, and subject matter experts to solve complex research and engineering problems.
• Partner with DOE sponsors, other national laboratories, government agencies, universities, and industry collaborators to advance research objectives and deliver mission-focused solutions.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals, technical reports, and conference proceedings while contributing to INL's national leadership in AI-enabled research.
• Support the development and execution of cross-cutting technical programs that address strategic priorities for multiple DOE and federal customers.
• Develop, test, deploy, and maintain research software, data processing pipelines, notebooks, and applications supporting scientific computing and data analytics.
• Design and implement custom software solutions, including 3D visualization tools, parallel computing applications, batch automation, web APIs, and scalable data services.
• Collaborate with software engineers and database developers to develop, test, and deploy software across development, staging, and production environments using modern software engineering practices.
• Evaluate data quality, identify and communicate data integrity issues, and develop repeatable data processing workflows that ensure accurate and reliable analyses.
• Work closely with domain experts to understand scientific questions, identify critical data features, develop analytical methodologies, and design meaningful performance metrics that characterize complex system behavior.
• Apply state-of-the-art data science, AI, modeling, and computational techniques to support INL's mission of ensuring the nation's safe, secure, resilient, and sustainable use of engineered systems.
• Follow INL software engineering standards, cybersecurity requirements, configuration management practices, and policies governing sensitive information and research data.
• Collaborate with data providers, database administrators, and software developers to rapidly diagnose and resolve data, infrastructure, and software issues.
  
  

Required:

• Levels 2: Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, or a closely related technical discipline with 0 years of relevant experience.
• Level 3: Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, or a closely related technical discipline and 2 or more years of relevant experience; or a Ph.D. in one of the above disciplines and 2 or more years of relevant experience.
• Experience in data science, data analysis, and software development using Python, C#, Java, or C++.
• Experience developing AI-enabled applications, including Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), prompt engineering, and Python/GitHub collaborative development environments.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE level "Q" security clearance, which requires US Citizenship.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Cloud computing platforms and cloud-native analytics (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, or similar).
• Scientific computing frameworks such as SciPy, NumPy, Jupyter Notebook, PyTorch, TensorFlow, CUDA, and related AI/ML libraries.
• Natural language processing, graph databases, knowledge graphs, vector databases, and modern data management architectures.
• High-performance computing (HPC), distributed computing, and parallel programming.
• AI model evaluation, explain ability techniques, and physics-informed machine learning.
• Research software development supporting scientific computing and advanced data analytics.
• Developing solutions that support DOE mission areas, including energy systems, nuclear science, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, or national security research.
  
  

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to handle materials, manipulate tools, keyboard and type, reach with hands and arms, and operate job related equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Nuclear Research Data Scientist to work on our Computational Science team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our REC or our Salt Lake City facility with every other Friday off.

• The pay range for this position is: Level 2 ($79,344 - $162,732) / Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.
• TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

INL Mission:

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision:

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements:

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation:

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information:

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.