Autonomous Infrastructure and Robotic Science Lead

argonne; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 116,250 - 181,350; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory invites applications for a leadership role overseeing the Rapid Prototyping Laboratory (RPL), guiding the development of autonomous laboratories and AI-enabled workflows across chemistry, biology, and quantum science. The role blends scientific leadership with hands-on infrastructure advancement.

You will direct a diverse team of computer scientists, roboticists, and data scientists, collaborating with domain scientists to execute autonomous experiments and advance

Qualifications

• PhD in a related field with at least 4+ years of related experience.
• Proven research track record deploying automated/autonomous platforms and AI/ML to accelerate science.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary collaborations and guide research directions.

Responsibilities

• Guide infrastructure development for laboratory autonomy (hardware, robotics, and software).
• Foster collaborations with domain scientists and partner institutions for autonomous science demonstrations.
• Coordinate with teams to advance laboratory autonomy and robotics.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to postdocs, researchers, students, and staff.
• Publish in refereed journals and present at conferences; ensure safety compliance.

Skills

AI/ML research

Autonomous platforms

Leadership in multi-disciplinary teams

Infrastructure for autonomous labs

Education

PhD in Computer Science / Materials Science / Physics / Chemistry

Tools

MADSci framework

Autonomous lab software

Job description

The Computing, Environment, and Life Sciences (CELS) Directorate seeks an outstanding scientist to lead and support frontier research at the intersection of AI, autonomous platforms, data infrastructure, and domain science. The candidate will have established expertise across automated and autonomous experimental platforms and AI in addition to leadership of multi-disciplinary research programs and the development of novel research concepts.

The scientist will lead Argonne’s Rapid Prototyping Laboratory (RPL), a team of computer scientists, roboticists, data scientists, and subject matter experts who develop hardware and software infrastructure for laboratory autonomy, support autonomous laboratories in domains including chemistry, biology, and quantum science, work with domain scientists to execute autonomous experiments, and advance laboratory autonomy and robotics.

RPL develops the open‑source Modular Autonomous Discovery for Science (MADSci) software framework for the orchestration of autonomous laboratories in addition to software infrastructure supporting the operation, training, and execution of robotic workflows. The scientist would be responsible for directing activities towards the advancement of these internal capabilities in addition to the support and development of collaborations across Argonne and beyond.

Focus Areas

• Autonomous laboratories for chemistry, materials, biology, etc.
• AI/ML for predictive modeling and inverse design
• Generative models, reinforcement learning, and agent‑based approaches to streamline experimentation and accelerate discovery
• Integration of HPC, data infrastructure, and ML pipelines for data‑driven and autonomous research
• Digital twins and simulation‑augmented AI tools

Key Responsibilities

• Guide the development of infrastructure for laboratory autonomy including physical autonomous laboratories, robotics laboratories, and software frameworks for autonomous science and robotics
• Facilitate collaborations between the RPL and domain scientists across Argonne and partner institutions in the execution of successful autonomous science demonstrations
• Facilitate collaborations between the RPL and teams at partner institutions developing autonomous science and robotics infrastructure
• Guide the RPL team toward the advancement of laboratory autonomy and robotics
• Publish in refereed journals and present at conferences, symposia, and seminars
• Provide work direction and mentorship to postdoctoral appointees, research assistants, students, and technical staff
• Execute all activities in compliance with Argonne’s safety policies, Safeguards and Security policies, work rules, and safe practices

Position Requirements

• Completed Ph.D. in Computer Science, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or a related field, and a minimum of 4+ years of related experience
• Proven research track record in deploying automated and autonomous platforms and AI/ML toward accelerating science
• Demonstrated ability to formulate scientific problems relevant to the DOE portfolio
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal and external collaborators to achieve established goals
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment and provide scientific guidance to a diverse research community
• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

Application Instructions

• Cover letter detailing how your experience and expertise align with and will contribute to this position
• Curriculum vitae with publication list
• 1‑page research statement outlining proposed research directions

Pay range: $116,250.00 – $181,350.00. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

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