Grid Security AI Researcher

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Grid Security AI Researcher to work on our Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (CISR) team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Research Education Campus (REC) in Idaho Falls, ID with every other Friday off.

In this role you will leverage advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to strengthen the resilience and security of critical power grid infrastructure. You will develop and deploy AI-driven solutions to analyze cyber threats, understand attack methodologies, and assess vulnerabilities within electrical grid systems. Working at the intersection of cybersecurity analysis, grid operations, and machine learning research, you will create novel approaches to safeguard the nation's energy infrastructure. Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of power systems engineers, cybersecurity experts, and data scientists to advance the state-of-the-art in grid security research. You will contribute to cyber-informed engineering research that integrates security and resilience considerations into grid system design and operations.

Responsibilities Include:

• Develop and implement advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms to support research initiatives.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design and execute experiments, analyze complex datasets, and interpret results.
• Apply advanced technologies such as Explainable AI/ML, physics-informed machine learning, and LLMs to assess grid vulnerabilities, model system resilience, and support cyber-informed engineering analysis for electrical infrastructure.
• Support cyber-informed engineering initiatives by developing AI/ML models to evaluate grid resilience under various operating conditions, including assessment of potential failure modes and development of cyber-conservative operational recommendations.
• Contribute to the development of new methodologies and tools for data analysis and visualization.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.
• Work with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers on challenging work scope.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and relevant research domains.
• Mentor and guide junior researchers and interns in data science methodologies and best practices.
• Demonstrate effective research skills and the ability to collaborate and partner with other government agencies, academia, and private sector companies to achieve project objectives.
• Work effectively with other research teams to develop and manage cross-cutting technical programs for a variety of customers.
• Develop and maintain notebooks, software, and/or applications.
• Work with software and database developers to develop, test, and deploy software code to development, staging and production environments.
• Analyze data quality, characterize, and communicate data quality issues to data providers, and design repeatable data processing procedures to accurately analyze data in the presence of quality issues.
• Employ specialized methods and state-of-the-art data analysis and modeling tools to support the INL's mission by ensuring the nation's safe, competitive, and sustainable use of engineered systems in many domains by applying capabilities to impactful issues in risk, reliability, and operational performance.
• Adhere to INL policies and lab-wide procedures related to software development, cybersecurity, and management of sensitive information and data.
• Work with data providers, database administrators, and software developers to diagnose and solve problems with data and software systems quickly and effectively.

Minimum Requirements:

• Level 2: Advanced degree in data science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, physics, autonomy, artificial intelligence, mathematics, or related technical discipline.
• Level 3: Advanced degree in data science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, physics, autonomy, artificial intelligence, mathematics, or related technical discipline and at least 2 years of direct/professional experience.
• Proven track record of conducting high-quality research
• Experience in data science, data analysis, and software development using Python, C#, Java, or C++.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to a diverse audience.
• A Current/Active DOE or equivalent "Q" clearance is required.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with power grid infrastructure, electrical systems, or energy sector applications.
• Background in cyber-informed engineering, critical infrastructure resilience, or cyber-physical systems analysis.
• Familiarity with operational technology (OT) environments, SCADA systems, or industrial control systems.
• Experience applying ML/AI to security or resilience assessment problems.

Job Information:

• The pay range for this position is: Level 2 ($77,628 - $159,228) / Level 3 ($93,204 - $191,076). 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.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

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.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

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.

Other Information

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.