Chief Computational Science & AI Leader

Idaho National Laboratory; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 137,000 - 337,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with employer match

Relocation assistance

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Comprehensive relocation package

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory seeks a senior leader to serve as Chief Computational Scientist within the SCAI division, guiding AI and high-performance computing strategies to accelerate nuclear energy innovation and expand INL's scientific impact. The role emphasizes strategic leadership, R&D portfolio growth, and collaboration with universities and federal partners.

The position involves mentoring researchers, developing multidisciplinary teams, and directing AI-enabled science across

Qualifications

• Level 5: Advanced degree in engineering, science, or related technical discipline and 8 years of relevant experience.
• Level 6: Advanced degree in engineering, science, or related technical discipline and 12 years of relevant experience.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a DOE level “Q” security clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize AI models, workflows, and computational tools for research in nuclear energy, materials, autonomous laboratories, and national security.
• Leverage DOE’s high-performance computing infrastructure and unique datasets to accelerate R&D workflows.
• Capture direct funding to support research activities by developing and leading competitive proposals to DOE programs, LDRD, and other sponsors.
• Establish a strategic vision for computational science and AI within the division that advances INL’s leadership in nuclear energy research and national mission applications.
• Identify opportunities to use agentic AI to connect scientific codes, simulation environments, experimental data, knowledge systems, and research tools while maintaining appropriate technical controls and human oversight.
• Work with R&D and AS&E staff to develop plans for deploying new strategic research capabilities, including AI platforms, computational infrastructure, scientific software, and integrated agentic workflows.
• Evaluate emerging computational and AI technologies for scientific value, technical readiness, mission relevance, risk, and responsible adoption.
• Establish expectations for the rigorous development, testing, evaluation, documentation, and reproducibility of computational and AI-enabled R&D and AS&E.
• Promote responsible AI practices appropriate for scientific, engineering, nuclear energy, and national mission applications.
• Propose and implement improvements to proposal-development processes in coordination with lead relationship managers and the organization proposal coordinator.
• Encourage concepts that responsibly apply advanced computing, AI, and agentic workflows to significant scientific and engineering challenges.
• Participate substantively in preproposal and proposal reviews.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders including universities, industry, other national laboratories, and federal partners to advance AI-enabled science, agentic research systems, computational methods, and workforce development.
• Engage industry partners and prospective partners to inform R&D priorities, coordinating activities with the organization industry liaison, where applicable.

Education

Advanced degree in engineering, science, or related technical discipline

Job description

Idaho National Laboratory seeks a senior leader to serve as Chief Computational Scientist within the SCAI division, guiding AI and high-performance computing strategies to accelerate nuclear energy innovation and expand INL's scientific impact. The role emphasizes strategic leadership, R&D portfolio growth, and collaboration with universities and federal partners.

The position involves mentoring researchers, developing multidisciplinary teams, and directing AI-enabled science across