We are seeking an exceptional and motivated Research Data Scientist to work alongside world class engineers and researchers supporting the mission of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Pittsburgh, PA. This work will involve a multi-disciplinary, scientific, and technically oriented national laboratory team, with participation alongside other data scientists, engineers, geologists, and computer scientists who produce technological solutions for America’s energy challenges. The successful candidate will conduct high-impact research focused on accelerating carbon management and mitigating methane emissions.  

Location: This position is based at the NETL lab in Pittsburgh, PA. Only candidates near (or willing to relocate to) the Pittsburgh, PA area will be considered.

Accelerating Carbon Management – Current carbon transport and storage efforts are focused on developing federated, dynamic databases and machine learning informed, geospatial data-driven tools to inform safe injection and transport operations for CO2 across the country.  

Mitigating Methane Emissions – Current methane mitigation efforts are focused on identifying and characterizing marginal, orphaned, and undocumented wellbore infrastructure through the development of national databases comprising federal, state, and tribal resources, standardized for analysis. 

What this opportunity with Leidos supporting NETL uniquely provides you: 

• Working on applied, cutting-edge projects with global impact while being mentored by the nation’s leading energy scientists and engineers.   
• Real-world experience supplemented with technical development and discussions that provide unique insight into the broad range of mission critical engineering and scientific disciplines NETL leverages to support national energy research and policy development.  
• Access to world-class, customized facilities and computational assets specific to high impact energy research, technology generation, and product development.  
• Support proposal development focused on expanding industry and scientific partnerships and developing new technical opportunities for NETL with federal guidance.  

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support a variety of data analysis activities including the development of statistical and machine learning models.
• Aggregate, clean, and process disparate engineering and geologic data sources relevant for subsurface energy operations (e.g., oil and gas development, geologic carbon storage, legacy well abandonment).  
• Version control and test code development to ensure performance and accuracy.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team, including geologists, geographers, chemists, computer scientists, environmental scientists, and other researchers to accomplish project related tasks. 
• Interpret model outputs and document findings in peer-reviewed studies, technical reports, and internal/external presentations. 

Required Education, Experience & Other:

• Master’s degree in computer science, engineering (civil, environmental, petroleum), natural science (chemistry, biology, physics), geology, or related field with 3+ years relevant work experience in data science, statistical/machine learning modeling, quantitative risk assessment, or another related field.
• Experience with probability and advanced statistics.
• Experience with communicating science to a range of audiences (e.g., academic conference, technical audience, or high-level management). 
• Familiarity with oil/gas industry (e.g. wells, pipelines, geology).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong history of publishing work in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with aspects of subsurface energy infrastructure (e.g., wells, geology). 
• Expertise with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms for spatial and statistical analysis. 
• Experience working for a U.S. national laboratory as a staff scientist/engineer or postdoctoral fellow. 

Salary Range: $95K to $100K

Original Posting Date:

While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.