Computational Scientist

Search Jobs - INL Professional Careers; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 66,504 - 162,732; Full time

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Computational Scientist to support DOE's Genesis Mission, building a world-class AI platform by integrating supercomputers, AI, and quantum technologies. The role focuses on AI-driven scientific discovery for energy, materials, quantum science, and national security.

The candidate will collaborate with DOE labs, academia, and industry, contribute to complex software, and provide technical leadership across programs, with a focus on high-performance computing

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear science, materials science, computational engineering, computational applied mechanics, computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related field is required.
• Level 2 requires 2 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with 0 years of experience.
• Proficiency in C++, Python, and object-oriented programming languages, finite-element methods, and advanced numerical methods for nonlinear analysis.
• Export control requires US Citizenship or US Green Card.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across DOE National Labs, academia, and industry to advance AI-driven scientific discovery.
• Develop, implement, and optimize AI models, workflows, and computational tools for research in energy, materials, quantum science, and national security.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with extensive documentation, reports, and manuals.
• Provide technical leadership for national DOE programs.
• Coordinate and execute project activities relative to work package scope, deliverables, and milestones.

Skills

C++

Python

Object-oriented

Finite-element methods

Numerical methods

Engineering software

Education

BS in STEM fields

Job description

Join us as a Computational Scientist to support Idaho National Lab's partnership with DOE's Genesis Mission in a historic national initiative to build the world’s most powerful scientific AI platform. By integrating supercomputers, AI systems, and quantum technologies, Genesis aims to double the productivity and impact of American scientific research within a decade.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across DOE National Labs, academia, and industry to advance AI-driven scientific discovery.
• Skills in one or more of the following areas are necessary: h and p adaptation, parallel computing, non-linear solvers, pre-conditioning, discontinuous Galerkin methods, and the development of complex scientific software for the solution of partial differential equations.
• Develop, implement, and optimize AI models, workflows, and computational tools for research in energy, materials, quantum science, and national security.
  Leverage DOE’s high-performance computing infrastructure and unique datasets to accelerate R&D workflows.
  Participate in the Genesis Mission Consortium, contributing to working groups focused on AI model development, data integration, and cloud infrastructure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as extensive documentation of work is required, which includes authorship of technical reports, user’s manuals, and research papers for refereed journals and proceedings.
• Technical leadership for providing direction to national DOE programs.
• Knowledge of one or more of the following technical areas: computational science, modeling, simulation, high-performance computing, scientific software engineering, finite element methods and analysis, fluid mechanics, nuclear science (including nuclear physics, simulation of nuclear fuel behavior, stochastic and deterministic reactor physics, core design), computational material science, phase field methods, molecular dynamics, crystal plasticity, thermo-mechanics, nonlinear solid mechanics, structural dynamics, heat transfer, and multi-physics coupling.
• Knowledge of engineering software development processes and proficiency with related tools.
• Ability to coordinate and execute project/program activities relative to work package scope, deliverables, and milestones.
• Accept input and coaching from mentors and provide input in a constructive manner to others while maintaining a positive and professional relationship with all, even while under budget and deadline pressures.
• Execute research in assigned technical subject areas.
• Ability to provide imaginative, thorough, and practical solutions to a wide range of complex, ambiguous, and/or difficult computing problems.
• Ability to articulate and advocate business cases in support of technical projects.
  

Required:

• Level 1: Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear science, materials science, computational engineering, computational applied mechanics, computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics, or another similar degree and 0 years of relevant experience.
• Level 2: Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear science, materials science, computational engineering, computational applied mechanics, computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics, or another similar degree and 2 years of relevant experience; or an advanced degree in nuclear science, materials science, computational engineering, computational applied mechanics, computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics, or another similar degree and 0 years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency in C++, Python, and object-oriented programming languages, finite-element methods, advanced numerical methods for nonlinear analysis, and the development of complex engineering analysis software.
• This position is subject to export control restrictions per the Department of Energy. For this reason, you must be either a US Citizen or a US Green Card holder to qualify for the job.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Advanced degree in nuclear science, materials science, computational engineering, computational applied mechanics, computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics, or another similar degree.
• Demonstrated experience in providing leadership, strategic and tactical planning, and effective execution of large, complex, and technically challenging programs requiring multidisciplinary integration across multiple organizations.
• Relevant research accomplishments published in peer-reviewed scientific literature.
• Experience in the development of advanced mathematical software.
• Experience in software verification & validation.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in theory and application of computational science principles.
• Demonstrated experience in applied mathematics, statistics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or data science.
• Experience writing proposals.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of 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 Computational Scientist to work on our Computational Frameworks team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our REC facility, or on site in our Salt Lake City facility with every other Friday off.

• The pay range for this position is: Level 1 ($66,504 - $136,356) / Level 2 ($79,344 - $162,732). 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.