Senior Research Scientist Advanced Computing Systems

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site fitness

Cafeteria facilities

Relocation Assistance

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN, seeks a Senior Research Scientist to provide scientific leadership in systems architecture for next-generation leadership-class HPC. Embedded in the OLCF, this role leads research at the intersection of computing systems, storage architectures, and high-performance networking.

Responsibilities include guiding a multidisciplinary team, defining a strategic agenda for hybrid classical-quantum systems, and collaborating with DOE and industry partners.

Qualifications

• PhD required with 8+ years of relevant research experience in HPC or related field.
• Experience leading or co-leading research teams and projects.
• Strong publication record and ability to secure external funding.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of researchers and postdocs in next-gen HPC systems architecture.
• Define and execute a strategic research agenda in advanced computing systems architecture, including hybrid classical-quantum computing.
• Architect and evaluate hybrid HPC-quantum systems and programming models.
• Advance next-gen interconnect technologies, fabric architectures, routing, and in-network computing.
• Drive storage systems research including storage-class memory and high-bandwidth file systems.
• Collaborate with ORNL teams, DOE, partners, industry and academia on advanced computing projects.
• Represent ORNL ATS in technical forums and standards bodies; engage vendors for co-design.
• Publish peer-reviewed papers, reports, and proposals; pursue external funding.
• Advance design processes and system characterization methods for leadership computing.

Skills

HPC systems architecture

Leadership experience

Mentorship

Strategic research leadership

Strong communication skills

Education

PhD in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, computational science, or closely related field

Tools

CXL

UCIe

Job description

Overview

The Advanced Technologies Section (ATS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Research Scientist to provide scientific and technical leadership in systems architecture for next-generation leadership-class high-performance computing. This position is embedded within the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF) and serves as a strategic research leader at the intersection of advanced computing systems, storage architectures, and high-performance networking.

The successful candidate will lead collaborations with other research staff and postdoctoral researchers in developing and evaluating transformative technologies for future leadership computing systems.

This position is part of the Advanced Technologies Section within the National Center for Computational Sciences (NCCS) Division. The ATS is an applied research and development organization that provides scientific, technical, and thought leadership for the deployment of compute- and data-intensive computing environments, partnering closely with system vendors, national laboratories, and the broader HPC research community to shape the trajectory of leadership computing.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a multidisciplinary team of research scientists and postdoctoral researchers focused on next-generation HPC systems architecture, providing mentorship, technical direction, and career development guidance.
• Define and execute a strategic research agenda in advanced computing systems architecture, with emphasis on hybrid classical-quantum computing systems, next-generation high-performance interconnects, and future storage technologies for leadership-scale workloads.
• Architect and evaluate hybrid HPC-quantum computing systems, including co-design of system integration frameworks, communication substrates, and programming models that bridge classical and quantum computational resources.
• Lead research and development efforts in next-generation interconnect technologies, including evaluation of emerging fabric architectures, topology design, routing strategies, and in-network computing capabilities for exascale and post-exascale systems.
• Drive research into next-generation storage systems and hierarchies, including storage-class memory, disaggregated storage architectures, high-bandwidth parallel file systems, and data movement strategies at leadership scale.
• Lead collaborations with internal ORNL teams, DOE program offices, national laboratory partners, and industry and academic collaborators on advanced computing systems projects.
• Represent the OLCF and ATS in high-visibility technical forums, standards bodies, and vendor co-design engagements relevant to future leadership computing system acquisition.
• Author and contribute to peer‑reviewed publications, technical reports, and research proposals; secure external funding to sustain and grow the group's research portfolio.
• Evaluate and evolve state-of-the-art design processes and system characterization methodologies used at leadership computing facilities and disseminate findings and best practices to the broader HPC community.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD. in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, computational science, or a closely related field.
• 8 or more years of relevant research experience beyond the Ph.D., with a demonstrated record of independent research accomplishment in HPC systems, computer architecture, or a closely related domain.
• Demonstrated experience leading or co‑leading research teams, including supervision of staff researchers, postdoctoral associates, or graduate students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience in HPC systems architecture, including large-scale system design, integration, and characterization at leadership computing facilities.
• Research experience with hybrid classical-quantum computing systems, including familiarity with quantum hardware platforms, quantum-classical interfaces, or co-design of hybrid algorithms and system software stacks.
• Deep technical knowledge of high-performance interconnect technologies, including emerging fabric architectures (e.g., high-radix topologies, CXL, UCIe, or comparable), routing, and in-network computing.
• Expertise in advanced storage systems for HPC, including parallel file systems, storage-class memory, disaggregated and composable storage, and high-performance I/O frameworks.
• Experience with heterogeneous node and system architectures, including accelerator-based computing and associated programming models.
• Experience collaborating with system vendors on co-design of hardware and software for future HPC platforms.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with experience representing research programs to leadership, sponsors, and the broader scientific community.
• Strong personal motivation and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven applied research environment.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates: If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

Benefits

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well‑being of you and your family.

Employee amenities such as on‑site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT‑Battelle is an E‑Verify employer.