Distinguished R&D Staff in Resilient AI for Defense at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Job Description:

Requisition Id4409

Overview
We are currently seeking qualified applicants for Distinguished R&D Staff for the Resilient AI for Defense (RAID) initiative in the Adversary Intelligence Systems (AI) Section. The Distinguished R&D Staff position affords the unique opportunity to work with a group of talented R&D professionals and establish ORNL as a premier R&D organization by enabling true impact on critical national security missions through a team-based approach and commitment to excellence. The Resilient AI for Defense initiative focuses on the development of theoretical and applied methods for understanding of the limitations of AI/ML models, their strengthening, and their resilience to adversarial exploitation, bias, and deception.


Purpose
Provide Research and Development (R&D) to the group that strategically advances science and technology consistent with ORNL's aspiration to be the world's premier R&D institution and ORNL's science culture.

The Distinguished Staff brings together a group of peers with the primary goals of pursuing global scientific leadership in their field, developing a strategy to develop a world-class capability, nurturing ORNL's culture among group members, and continuing to build and scale up individual excellence and impact in R&D. This position would work within a future RAID group and would work closely with the R&D Section Head to implement the scientific vision; establishes capabilities that enable programs to excel at the forefront of science and technology; performs R&D to advance the field of knowledge and/or technology in one's respective specialty; sets, implements, and models standards for performance of work consistent with Environment, Safety, Security, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) requirements and business rules; and ensures a diverse and inclusive work environment where every employee feels safe, heard, and appreciated-a workplace that sets an example for the broader community.

The National Security Sciences Directorate conducts research and development to confront some of the nation's most difficult security challenges and adversaries. Our directorate houses S&T leadership in cybersecurity and cyber-physical resiliency, data analytics, geospatial science and technology, nuclear nonproliferation, and high-performance computing for sensitive national security missions. We draw on the Laboratory's exceptional facilities and work closely with leading researchers in other areas at the lab such as nuclear and chemical sciences and engineering, applied materials, advanced manufacturing, biosecurity, transportation, and computing. Our multi-disciplinary research teams are passionate about discovery and innovation as we create science-based solutions to complex security threats that put public safety, national defense, energy infrastructure, and the economy at risk.


Our commitment to diversity: As we strive to become the world's premier research institution in the sciences and technologies that underpin critical national security missions, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that highly values a diverse workforce. We recognize that a breadth of perspectives, insights, and experiences are necessary to drive the level of innovation and discovery that is mission critical to national security sciences. Our commitment extends beyond our workforce to the next generation of researchers with STEM education outreach that seeks to engage a diverse range of students.


Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Scientists/engineers continue to be recognized leaders in their area of technical expertise.
- Initiate, lead and perform independent and impactful R&D on an ongoing basis as evidenced by, for example, innovative S&T delivered to sponsors, successful proposals, S&T presentations, professional community engagement, inventions/patents/copyrights, publications as appropriate, etc.
- Develop a vision and implement a cohesive research strategy to ensure the success of new and ongoing research projects to position the group for future success.
- Develop and implement plans to exploit new opportunities and/or expand existing efforts.
- Lead by example by exercising scientific integrity in proposing, performing, and communicating research.
- Lead by example to ensure all work is carried out safely, securely, and in compliance with ORNL policies, standards, and procedures.
- Exemplify a commitment to excellence in research, operations, and community engagement, and work cooperatively to leverage scientific capabilities across ORNL.
- Advance the reputation of the group and standing of the group as a whole through establishing collaborations, professional society leadership and involvement, and organization of technical events.


Basic Requirements:
- Requires a Ph.D. with a minimum of 12 years relevant experience, a M.S. with a minimum of 16 years experiences, B.S. with 20 years experience.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated leadership ability and a strong commitment to a teaming environment.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.


Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated track record in national and/or international research and development engagements that seek to strengthen and promote the scientific and technological advances in the field of resilient and reliable AI
- Experience working for or collaborating with DOE National Laboratories (or similar R&D organizations (e.g. FFRDCs)).


Special Requirement:
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due the SCI, you may be also be subject to random polygraph testing.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

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..