S. Scott Collis Fellowship in Data Science 2027

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Flexible work options

Generous vacation

Medical benefits

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a Data Science Postdoctoral Fellow to pursue self‑directed research at the intersection of data science and national security. You will collaborate with Sandia R&D projects, applying AI, statistics, and modeling to real-world sensor data and complex systems.

This two‑year fellowship (potentially extending) offers a competitive salary, relocation help, and travel support.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in data science related area or closely aligned discipline.
• Demonstrated research in data science including data collection, analysis, and model development.
• Eligibility to obtain a DOE security clearance (U.S. citizenship).

Responsibilities

• Pursue self-directed research while integrating with Sandia R&D projects.
• Address complex problems in national security areas.
• Collaborate with researchers using state-of-the-art computational resources.
• Present work at major publications and conferences.

Skills

Data science research

Pattern identification

Prediction algorithms

Education

Ph.D. in data science or related field

Tools

Python

R

C++

Matlab

Job description

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting‑edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide

Extraordinary co‑workers

Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world

Career advancement and enrichment opportunities

Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten‑hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part‑time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)

Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World‑changing technologies. Life‑changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

Are you looking to perform innovative research in data science? Are you excited about research informed by real‑world needs? Are you passionate about impacting problems of national importance? If so, consider the possibilities afforded by Sandia’s Data Science Fellowship.

The S. Scott Collis Fellowship in Data Science seeks applicants with a demonstrated background in the interdisciplinary field of data science. Collis Fellows in Data Science work at the junction of cutting‑edged data science techniques and Sandia’s national security mission and application space. Data science at Sandia emphasizes the analysis and interpretation of scientific, engineering, and observational (sensor) data, including development of scientific models, pattern identification, prediction, and knowledge extraction. Relevant analysis techniques range from artificial intelligence to advanced statistical methods, to optimization techniques, to methods designed for specialized hardware, and beyond. Examples of the scientific and engineering applications relevant to Sandia’s diverse missions (https://www.sandia.gov/missions/) include nuclear deterrence and nonproliferation, numerical modeling and scientific simulation, energy systems and power grid, cyber security, operations research, geospatial analysis, neuromorphic computing, quantum computing, and many other national security domains.

The focus on data‑driven insight through development of novel methods is central to the Collis Fellowship. We seek Fellows who will emphasize foundational data science research over work for which advances in data science are incidental to other topics. For example, development of new data‑driven methods to improve the quality of numerical simulations, or methods for analyzing quantum entanglement data, are both in scope for the Collis Fellowship. However, applicants primarily interested in traditional computational and mathematical modeling should instead consider Sandia’s John von Neumann Fellowship, (https://www.sandia.gov/careers/career-possibilities-clone-2/students-and-postdocs/fellowships/john-von-neumann-fellowship/) while those focused on development of quantum algorithms or architectures should consider the Gil Herrera Fellowship (https://www.sandia.gov/careers/career-possibilities-clone-2/students-and-postdocs/fellowships/gil-herrera-fellowship-in-quantum-information-science/) .

As a Sandia Data Science Postdoctoral Fellow, you will:

• Pursue a combination of both self‑directed research in your topic area and integration with existing Sandia R&D projects,
• Address complex problems in support of broad‑ranging national security areas,
• Collaborate with highly motivated researchers on challenging research questions using state‑of‑the‑art computational resources, and
• Present your work at leading publication and conference venues.

The selected Fellow will receive a two‑year appointment with the potential option for a third year, which includes a highly competitive salary, moving expenses, and a generous professional travel allowance.

Sandia National Laboratories is dedicated to nurturing a culture compatible with a broad group of people and perspectives. Consistent with this dedication, we seek applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, and we foster a research community of belonging.

Qualifications We Require:

• Completion within the last three years, or anticipated completion of requirements by commencement of appointment, of a Ph.D. in a data science related area, such as mathematics, computer science, statistics, or engineering
• Research experience in one or more areas of data science, including but not limited to data collection and sharing, analysis and interpretation of data, novel algorithm development, pattern identification, prediction, and knowledge extraction. Evidence for expertise in data science may include a combination of formal academic training, research publications and presentations, development of open source or sharable software packages, and professional experience
• No previous postdoctoral appointments at a national laboratory
• Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE security clearance, which requires US Citizenship

Qualifications We Desire:

• Ability to work in collaborative, interdisciplinary research environments alongside specialists in other domains
• Related professional experience such as internships in industry or at other national labs, participation in visiting research programs, etc.
• Proven research community leadership through activities such as participation in student or professional organizations, outreach activities, etc.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills Software development experience in C++, C, Matlab , R, Python, Julia, or related languages
• A commitment to encouraging a culture of professionalism and belonging, as demonstrated through your application materials

About Our Team:

One of the country's largest research facilities, Sandia employs over 14,000 people in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Livermore, California, in an exciting and highly collaborative multidisciplinary work environment. Our mission areas include nuclear weapons, energy, nonproliferation, defense, infrastructure, homeland security, counterterrorism, cybersecurity. Data Science touches most of Sandia’s diverse missions, and we collaborate with a broad range of government customers while also maintaining a research presence in the external professional community by collaborating with both universities and industry. Sandia Data Scientists publish peer‑reviewed literature, participatein professional societies, and referee for conferences and journals.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre‑employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug‑releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on‑site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.