Advisor 5

Location

Delaware, OH | United States

Job description

at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Dover, Delaware, United States

Overview

Protecting U.S. residents and visitors is among our nation’s highest priorities. As adversaries gain access to sophisticated technologies and materials, the threats grow more dynamic and complex-from cyber and nuclear to chemical and biological weapons of mass effect and other forms of terrorism. The PNNL national security mission employs our researchers, tools, and technologies to play a key role in advancing the ability to identify and secure nuclear materials, detect weapons of mass effect, manage nonproliferation treaties, secure our nation’s borders, and protect critical infrastructures. PNNL’s scientific discovery and capabilities-rooted in innovative theory, methods, algorithms, and tools-are enabling stronger, more resilient technologies and systems to safeguard national security. Coupled with decades of radiological and nuclear materials expertise, advanced computing and threat analysis capabilities, and a broad fundamental science base, we are identifying and countering emerging threats that have significant impact at home and around the globe.

This Strategic Advisor role is an innovation leader in PNNL’s Emerging Threats & Technologies Division ( ETT ), an organization formed to provide insight for the US national security community on emerging and disruptive technologies by leveraging the breadth of research across the laboratory. The role serves as a strategic liaison between PNNL technical teams and US Government officials in multiple sponsor organizations, with a focus on building new programs and relationships for PNNL .

In support of this mission, PNNL is seeking a Senior Advisor for Emerging Technologies. This position will focus primarily on opportunities to leverage emerging technologies and methods, especially in data sciences, to create opportunities for U.S. government sponsors. This would include areas such as edge analytics, cloud-to-edge distributed machine learning operations and management, radiofrequency sensing and processing, and data applications for environmental security.

Candidates for this position will support work being performed in PNNL’s Emerging Threats and Technologies Division within the National Security Directorate ( NSD ). The Emerging Threats and Technologies Division’s mission space is comprised of cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, policy and intelligence, and security systems expertise. The organization consists of over 300 scientists, engineers, and analysts with backgrounds in cyber, nuclear, intelligence, policy, data science, and other fields. Our staff work in interdisciplinary project teams to provide innovative concepts that integrate policy, analytics, science, and technology into unique solutions. Our collaborative environment and commitment to work/life balance makes PNNL an ideal place to advance your career, challenge yourself, and make a difference in the world.

Responsibilities

In this role, you are responsible for coordinating activities across PNNL’s diverse technical teams, relying on your creativity, vision, and influence to build and develop science & technology (S&T) capabilities at the intersection of multiple disciplines. You will lead or contribute to key project activities and will be sought after within the Laboratory to set technical direction and to represent PNNL in engagements with senior leaders across the Laboratory complex, with Government stakeholders, and with the private sector. You will identify new challenges, perform assessment of alternatives, and establish concurrence on recommended solutions; your decisions will guide programmatic directions inside and outside the Laboratory. You will identify and lead multi-institution partnerships and inform sponsor strategies, demonstrating national-level influence in framing solutions to critical national challenges.

You are responsible for ensuring that PNNL’s capabilities are aligned with national and global trends and you select methods and techniques to develop new solutions for PNNL sponsor organizations. You will create and maintain relationships with senior sponsors to identify future business opportunities, devising and conducting business development activities across the breadth of PNNL’s sponsor set in DOE , DOD , DHS , and Special Programs organizations.

You are extremely self-directed and will function independently with high level guidance. You are proactive about seeking out new opportunities and opening new doors, including seeking out and cultivating potential partnerships in areas where PNNL’s research and development can be introduced. You will mentor other staff in technical sponsor interactions and will facilitate collaboration between PNNL teams and sponsor representatives. You will have accountability for strategic direction and capability development in the national security directorate and are accountable to laboratory leaders for establishing and executing technical, business development, and program execution strategies.

Success in this position requires:

+ Ability to build and lead impactful, mission-relevant technical programs.

+ Deep expertise in areas of assessment, development, deployment, and governance of current and emerging technologies, as well as the ability to stay at the cutting edge of rapidly evolving technologies.

+ A passion for learning new application domains and applying advanced tools and methods to new problems.

+ Commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and new ways of thinking.

+ Ability to quickly understand key concepts in new domains and to communicate effectively with technical staff, laboratory leaders, and sponsors, including a strong ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

+ Strong organizational skills to prioritize multiple competing demands under pressure.

+ Leading publications, reports, briefings, and other external engagements.

+ Providing guidance on technical approaches and sponsor engagement strategies and identifying and mitigating political sensitivities.

+ Acting as an advisor to technical staff to help teams meet delivery schedules and resolve problems.

+ Maintaining effective and working relations with Laboratory staff and sponsor officials at all levels.

+ Exceptional oral and written communication skills, and a reputation for integrity and trust.

Uses extensive experience in a field of specialty, possessing a comprehensive understanding of existing theories, principles, and concepts in those fields to provide solutions to unusually complex problems for which no precedents or past practice exists. Resolves problems that frequently require mastery of specialized techniques using high degrees of ingenuity and creativity. Demonstrates well-recognized national influence and skilled consensus building. Exerts positive influence across a broad spectrum of stakeholders and interest groups with internal and external organizations, the public, and the community. Is often sought out to work on key project teams and regularly collaborates and negotiates with senior national/international government officials as a PNNL and DOE representative. Makes recommendations that set precedent for future decisions and strongly influence national/international policies and decisions at highest levels.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

+ BS/BA and 9 years of relevant experience OR

+ MS/MA or higher and 7 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

+ Advanced degree in data analytics, computer science, mathematics, or a related field.

+ Ability to work within and lead interdisciplinary teams, and experience in a variety of sponsor mission settings.

+ Demonstrated record of innovation and experience in leading applied research or operational programs.

+ Demonstrated record of identifying and interacting with funding sponsors, preparing program proposals, and generating future R&D or mission app

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Salary