Post Bachelors Research Associate - Scientific GUI Development & ML/Data Analytics

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

16h

About The Position

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.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world.
The Physical Detection Systems and Deployment Division, part of the National Security Directorate, delivers policy-informed technology solutions by removing barriers to real-world implementation. We strive to understand end-user environments to transition technology from the developmental stage to deployment. Our diverse expertise in operational systems provides tools, technologies, and approaches for combating a range of threats, both at home and in more than 100 countries around the globe.
PNNL is seeking a highly motivated Post‑Baccalaureate Research Associate to support research and development of advanced scientific software tools for chemistry and plasma/laser‑based experiments. The successful candidate will contribute to (1) the design and implementation of a cross‑platform graphical user interface (GUI) framework that integrates modeling, simulation, and data‑science tools for chemistry‑focused experiments, and (2) machine‑learning‑based data analytics for high‑volume datasets arising from plasma physics and laser‑based experimental campaigns.
The primary responsibilities will include extending a modern desktop application (Next.js frontend with a Rust/Tauri core) to host multiple analysis and modeling tools, optimizing Python‑based data processing workflows, and developing and applying machine learning and data‑analytics methods to complex time‑ and space‑resolved datasets. The work will be performed in close collaboration with subject matter experts in chemistry, plasma physics, and laser‑based experimentation, and will include contributions to technical reports and peer‑reviewed publications.

Requirements

• Candidates must have received a Bachelor’s degree within the past 24 months or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience with modern software development for scientific applications, including:
• GUI development using web technologies (e.g., React/Next.js or similar) and
• Programming in Python and at least one systems language (Rust, C/C++, or similar).
• Experience with data analysis and visualization for experimental or simulation datasets, including use of scientific Python libraries (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, pandas, matplotlib, scikit learn).
• Familiarity with parallel or high performance data processing (e.g., Python multiprocessing) and integration of external tools or scripts into larger software frameworks.
• Background or strong interest in chemistry related data (e.g., spectroscopy, time series analysis) and/or plasma physics and laser based experiments.
• Experience applying machine learning techniques to real world datasets, including feature extraction, model training/validation, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment, with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Evidence of scientific communication skills, such as prior project reports, presentations, or contributions to publications, is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain modular GUI pages and navigation for scientific models and analysis workflows, including data loading, parameter input, error handling, and visualization.
• Develop and maintain Rust/Tauri backend commands and inter‑process communication logic to invoke external executables and Python scripts, using robust JSON‑based argument passing and result collection.
• Integrate and optimize Python‑based data processing pipelines for large chemistry‑related datasets (e.g., spectroscopy, solvent‑extraction runs), including multiprocessing/parallelization for curve fitting, batch processing, and time‑resolved analysis.
• Develop interactive visualization capabilities (plots, sliders for higher‑dimensional exploration, and movie generation from plot sequences) with streamlined options for saving/exporting plots and processed data.
• Implement and refine analysis tools such as detection of reaction start and end times (derivative‑based methods, statistical tests, logistic fits, plateau and anomaly detection) and extraction of spectral/absorbance information at specific wavelengths for individual chemical species.
• For plasma/laser‑based experiments, develop Python‑based data pipelines and apply machine learning methods (e.g., regression, pattern recognition, anomaly detection, surrogate modeling) to experimental and simulation datasets, in close coordination with plasma/laser subject matter experts.
• Prepare written progress summaries, internal technical reports, and presentation materials; contribute as a co‑author to manuscripts, conference abstracts, and other scientific publications.
• Communicate regularly with mentors, co‑mentors, and project team members to plan, execute, and document research tasks; present results in group meetings and reviews.

Benefits

• Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
• Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
• Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level