Senior Emerging and Disruptive Technology Research Analyst

Requisition Id 12604 

Overview:  

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

Who Are We Looking For?

The Emerging Technology Analysis (ETA) effort at ORNL seeks applicants with experience and technical knowledge in researching emerging technologies such as microelectronics, quantum information technologies, artificial intelligence and machine learning, high-performance computing, and biotechnology. Our group is in ORNL’s Field Intelligence Operations Division (FIOD) within the National Security Sciences Directorate (NSSD).

Reporting to the ETA Group Lead, you will be responsible for analyzing unclassified and classified information, producing written products, presenting results to audiences with disparate backgrounds, and proposing new topics to aid in understanding and qualifying disruptive technologies. The successful candidate is not expected to be an expert in all subject areas, but should possess a broad interest in mission-focused science and/or engineering.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Propose and contribute to the drafting of new analytic lines of effort.
• Perform multi-disciplined unclassified and classified analysis to identify threats and vulnerabilities engendered by emerging and disruptive technologies.
• Serve as a catalyst to identify opportunities for collaborative research and development between Oak Ridge National Laboratory open research programs and national security programs.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs) from NSSD and other ORNL directorates/divisions in technical areas such as microelectronics, quantum information technologies, artificial intelligence and machine learning, high-performance computing, and biotechnology. Harness SME input into analytical products.
• Create analytical assessments and products on emerging and disruptive technology applications and issues to share with peers, management, and sponsors.
• Write peer-reviewed papers and briefings of both unclassified and classified analytical assessments regarding threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. Engage in community working groups.
• Present both unclassified and classified briefings regarding analytical assessments.
• Collaborate with government agencies and members of the national security community.
• Mentor early-to-mid-career analysts.
• Abide by all environmental, safety, health and quality requirements and implement practices per ORNL’s Standards-based Management System (SBMS).
• Maintain a strong commitment to the implementation of the Directorate’s values and ethics.
• Occasional domestic travel.

All team members deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• Any of the following combinations of education and experience:
  • B.S. in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) or other relevant field and 15  years of relevant experience, or
  • M.S. in STEM or other relevant field and  12 years of relevant experience, or
  • Ph.D. in STEM or other relevant field and 6 years of relevant experience.
• Occasional domestic travel is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in emerging and disruptive technologies and applications with a focus on identifying threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. Some technical depth in any of the technical areas listed above is a plus.
• Willingness to acquire new knowledge and learn new skills is essential.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with colleagues, ORNL SMEs, and external collaborators.
• Ability to interact with sponsors and officials from other government agencies.
• Prior experience with or knowledge related to emerging technical matters such as quantum engineering issues, opportunities in and concerns with AI/ML, or systems engineering challenges.
• Experience working with the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DoD) or other government agencies is highly desirable.
• Active Q and/or TS/SCI clearance is a plus.

Special Requirements:

Visa Sponsorship:

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Q clearance with SCI: 

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse Program (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 also be subject to random polygraph testing.  

Benefits at ORNL:  

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for 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.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: [email protected] or call 1.866.963.9545.

  #LI-DC1 

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 [email protected].

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.