Directorate Fellow, Energy and Data AI

Battelle Energy Alliance; Idaho Falls (ID); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 337,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with employer match

Relocation package

Education program

Paid time off

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory seeks a senior data science/AI leader to architect data systems and guide ML model development for energy applications. You will drive cross‑functional collaboration, publish research, and present findings to national and international audiences.

The role emphasizes complex data management, explainable AI, and communications with stakeholders across government, academia, and industry. Remote/onsite in Idaho Falls, with a 9x80 schedule and relocation benefits.

Qualifications

• PhD in data science, engineering, geosciences, mathematics, computer science, physics, geology, AI or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in data science, AI or related field.
• Ability to interpret and communicate data-driven results within energy domain context.
• Strong interpersonal skills and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI data architectures to enable Genesis Mission science and technology challenges.
• Lead development, validation, and interpretation of ML models and data pipelines for energy applications.
• Lead writing of journal articles and conference proceedings on energy and data AI systems.
• Analyze data and generate results across cloud, on-premises, and edge-based architectures.
• Apply Explainable AI/ML, LLMs, physics-informed ML, and data fusion methodologies.
• Apply energy domain knowledge to identify ML opportunities in energy systems.
• Collaborate with data science teams to translate energy requirements into analytical frameworks.
• Evaluate model outputs for physical accuracy and operational relevance.
• Lead technical documentation, reports, and presentations; present to national/international audiences.
• Work with minimal supervision on highly complex tasks.

Skills

AI data architectures

ML model development

Data pipelines

Explainable AI

LLMs

Data visualization

Stakeholder management

Effective communication

Education

PhD in data science or related field

Job description

Join our team here in the Nuclear Science and Technology directorate at Idaho National Laboratory to provide leading edge technical leadership to analyze data and generate results across cloud, on-premises, and edge-based computational architectures, apply technologies including explainable AI, large language models, and physics-informed machine learning, and develop software including 3D visualization tools, parallel software, and web API solutions in support of research objectives. In this role, you'll work with domain experts to understand the scope of questions data can answer, design output metrics that describe system behavior, collaborate with government agencies, academia, and industry partners, and publish results in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. You will be shaping the future of how our organization builds and deploys intelligent systems.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead AI data architectures to enable Genesis Mission science and technology challenges
• Lead the development, validation, and interpretation of ML models and data pipelines in the context of energy applications.
• Lead efforts in writing journal articles, conference proceedings, on energy and data AI systems
• Analyze data and generate results in response to data analytics, visualization, and modeling needs on a variety of computational architectures (cloud, on-premises, edge-based).
• Apply advanced technologies, such as Explainable Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Large Language Models (LLMs), physics-informed machine learning, systems performance analysis, and/or data sensor fusion methodologies.
• Apply energy domain knowledge to identify opportunities for machine learning and data-driven analysis within energy systems, operations, or research programs.
• Collaborate effectively and consistently with data science teams to translate energy requirements into analytical frameworks.
• Lead in the evaluation of model outputs using domain expertise to ensure physical accuracy and operational relevance.
• Lead technical documentation, reports, and presentations related to ML-assisted efforts
• Present complex information in a simplified and effective manner and provide such materials to a national and international audience.
• Work effectively with little supervision on defined tasks with high complexity.

Required:

• Level 6: PhD in data science, engineering, geosciences, mathematics, computer science, physics, geology, artificial intelligence, or related technical discipline and 10 years of relevant experience.
• Ability to interpret and communicate data-driven results within a energy domain context.
• Highly skilled at managing stakeholder relationships effectively with excellence in interpersonal skills.
• Highly skilled communicator across mediums and platforms.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a DOE level "Q" security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• 15 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with energy domain problems.
• Expertise in complex data management.
• Exposure to supervised/unsupervised learning techniques or data visualization tools.

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:

The role has a 9x80 work schedule with every other Friday off and will work remotely or onsite in the Collaborative Computing Center within the Scientific Computing and AI division within the Nuclear Science & Technology division in Idaho Falls, ID.

• The pay range for this position is $164,592 - $337,428. At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• 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.

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.