Chief Data Scientist - AI Safety

Chief Data Scientist

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

The AI and Data Analytics Division, part of NSD, combines profound domain expertise and creative integration of advanced hardware and software to deliver computational solutions that address complex data and analytic challenges. Working in multidisciplinary teams, we connect foundational research to engineering to operations, providing the tools to innovate quickly and field results faster. Our strengths are integrated across the data analytics lifecycle, from data acquisition and management to analysis and decision support.

The AI & Data Analytics division is seeking a Chief Data Scientist with deep expertise in data science and experience in AI Safety for national security missions. The selected candidate will lead large, multi-year research and development programs within the AI and Data Analytics Division, which includes over 400 staff specializing in data science, applied mathematics, advanced analytic architectures, software engineering, and human-centered computing. We support PNNL's mission by contributing to impactful, mission‑focused applied R&D projects that help tackle national security challenges. This role requires deep technical expertise and the ability to translate emerging research into mission-ready capabilities.

The Chief Data Scientist will shape national technical direction, engage directly with sponsors and senior leadership, and serve as a strategic partner in aligning PNNL's AI safety portfolio with evolving mission and policy requirements. This individual will guide technical direction, mentor interdisciplinary teams, and collaborate closely with software engineers to transition cutting edge research into field-ready capabilities. In addition to leading research efforts, the Chief Data Scientist will serve as a key interface with sponsors and stakeholders, leveraging domain expertise to align PNNL's research agenda with evolving mission requirements.

Work Location & Requirements

• Based in Richland, WA or Seattle, WA with onsite presence required
• Clearance required (see below for details)
• Travel may be required for stakeholder engagement, project events, and sponsor reviews

Key Responsibilities

The chosen candidate will have the unique opportunity to drive real-world impact at mission tempo while supporting PNNL's mission to tackle grand challenges through science, technology, and innovation. Key responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Leadership and Vision:
  • Shape and execute forward-looking strategies for advancing AI Safety research, evaluation methodologies, and trustworthy deployment practices within PNNL's national security mission space.
  • Partner with government sponsors as a senior technical leader, translating evolving mission priorities and operational risk considerations into actionable research direction and investment opportunities.
  • Lead high-visibility proposal development to help shape national investment in frontier-model safety, agentic AI governance, secure machine learning operations, and evaluation infrastructure.
• Scientific and Technical Leadership:
  • Lead nationally visible AI Safety programs, ensuring technical excellence, sponsor alignment, risk-informed execution, and timely delivery of impactful results.
  • Serve as a senior technical leader in AI Safety, guiding approaches for evaluating, testing, and characterizing the behavior, risks, and emergent properties of AI models including but not limited to large language models, multimodal models, and agentic AI systems.
  • Provide technical leadership that supports interdisciplinary teams, helping shape research methodologies, data science and engineering best practices, and evaluation strategies while overseeing end-to-end analytic workflows.
  • Build and sustain collaborations across DOE laboratories, federal agencies, academia, and industry to accelerate innovation and deliver integrated, mission‑aligned AI Safety capabilities.
  • Partner with software engineering and operational teams to transition research outputs into secure, scalable real-world systems that support national security missions.
• External Influence & National Representation:
  • Represent PNNL as a senior AI Safety expert in technical exchanges, working groups, and high-impact national and international forums.
  • Publish influential research, contribute to emerging standards, and help shape national discourse on AI Safety.
  • Communicate PNNL's AI capabilities and mission relevance to external stakeholders, articulating use cases, technical solutions, and emerging challenges within the broader national security landscape.
• Mentorship & Workforce Development:
  • Support the technical and professional development of junior through senior researchers, offering guidance on research challenges, technical leadership skills, and effective collaboration practices.
  • Contribute to an inclusive and learning-oriented environment that encourages scientific rigor, safety-first innovation, and high-impact interdisciplinary work.
  • Collaborate with other senior researchers to strengthen PNNL's AI Safety workforce through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and community building.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 9+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 7+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• PhD with 5+ years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in computer science, engineering, data science, mathematics, or a related discipline.
• Active DOE Q or TS/SCI clearance and ability to maintain such clearance.
• Demonstrated impact in AI Safety (e.g., peer‑reviewed publications, recognized awards, contributions to community standards).
• National reputation in AI Safety, frontier model evaluation, trustworthy AI, secure machine learning operations, or related mission relevant technical areas.
• Familiarity with agentic AI safety (tool‑use governance, retrieval hygiene, autonomous decision workflows) and evaluation of multi‑step reasoning systems.
• Experience developing and applying cutting edge AI/ML in national security environments, with an understanding of mission needs and operational constraints.
• Experience serving as PI or project manager on multi‑institution R&D efforts.
• Strong record of securing external funding, managing research portfolios, and initiating new R&D programs in applied AI or AI Safety domains.
• Experience working with sponsors such as DOE, NNSA, DoD, DHS, or other mission agencies, with the ability to help shape strategic research investments.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences across government, industry, and academia.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated. Referral Eligible

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab's campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion