PNNL Marks NEST Anniversary and Collaborates on Communications Platforms for Response Teams
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) joined NNSA in celebrating 50 years of the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) and its service, showcasing the Laboratory’s pivotal contributions to its mission. PNNL advances NEST’s capabilities through innovations like NEST.net Green, a groundbreaking communication platform, while providing technical expertise, on-call personnel, and resources to respond to nuclear and radiological emergencies worldwide. Read full article.
A Roadmap to Rebuilding Ukraine's Steel Sector
PNNL is partnering with several institutions, including the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Economy, and a range of industry organizations to jointly develop a roadmap for rebuilding, modernizing, and decarbonizing Ukraine’s steel sector with small modular reactors. The goal of the project is to provide the Ukrainian government with a roadmap to pursue a flexible, informed path forward as the country rebuilds its steel sector. Read full article.
Sivanandan Harilal, PNNL physicist, has been recognized for his life-long contributions to laser-plasma research by being named as a member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Class of 2025 fellows. Harilal’s groundbreaking work supports nuclear nonproliferation by advancing techniques for detecting radioactive nuclear materials and their isotopes, enhancing diagnostics for nuclear security. Read full feature.
Research Centers to Lead Charge on Next-Generation Designs and Prototypes
PNNL is advancing critical research within the Department of Energy’s new Microelectronics Science Research Centers by leading key projects focused on developing microelectronics designed to operate reliably in extreme environments, such as high-radiation levels encountered in nuclear settings, extreme cold, and high magnetic fields. These efforts also aim to create energy-efficient, secure, and high-performance technologies to meet national needs. Read news release.
PNNL Events
PNNL researchers will be featured at these upcoming conferences.
Nondestructive Evaluation of Advanced Manufacturing Components Technical Workshop
PNNL is hosting the Third Technical Workshop on Nondestructive Evaluation of Advanced Manufacturing Components from April 29–30, 2025, in Richland, Washington. Learn about advancements in nondestructive evaluation for components used in the energy, infrastructure, and national security sectors. View the event page.
Career Conference
Join PNNL staff during the Spring 2025 virtual recruitment event, March 17–20, 2025. Staff members and recruiters will share career opportunities available across the lab. The Career Connections event welcomes everyone, regardless of career level, grade level, or academic program. View the event page.
Nuclear Career Opportunities Across PNNL Research and Operations Missions
Post Doctorate RA - Biomimetic Materials: Responsible for designing and synthesizing bio-inspired materials, including peptoid membranes and crystalline nanomaterials. The role involves developing composite membranes, conducting advanced characterizations, and exploring fundamental challenges in biomimetic materials synthesis, while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and contributing to impactful publications. Apply by January 27. Req ID: 9596
Post Doctorate RA - Nuclear Signatures: Responsible for the operation of radiation detectors and sample collection systems, development of hardware and software, data analysis, and interpretation of measurements. The role involves preparing manuscripts for publication and presenting work internally and externally, while performing in-depth research independently and collaborating effectively. Apply by January 28. Req ID: 10150
Physicist 3: Responsible for supporting research and tasking plans that include scope, schedule, and budget for the Detection Physics group. The role requires demonstrated technical experience that may include one or more of the following: ultra-pure materials for radiation detection, gamma-spectrometry systems, noble gas detectors, low-temperature systems, low-noise electronics and data acquisition, cleanroom operations, pressure/vacuum/gas systems, software development, data analysis, and/or machine learning. Apply by February 1. Req ID: 9926
Tactical Counterintelligence Analyst: Responsible for reviewing, researching, analyzing, and evaluating materials; providing analytical support to case development; developing and recommending innovative analytical approaches; accessing, updating, and employing available analysis tools and databases; and acting as liaison with IC analysists, law enforcement, industry, and academia. Apply by January 24. Req ID: 9658
Autonomous Systems Engineer - Expert: Responsible for leading the research, design, development and testing of fieldable autonomous systems. This role involves enhancing leadership in the area of autonomous systems development and operation in various domains such as air, land, surface, underwater, and space. Apply by February 1. Req ID: 8450
Internships
NSIP Undergraduate Tech Intern - Nuclear, Chemistry, & Biological Technology: Responsible for assisting with experimental research, analyzing data, and contributing to projects in nuclear, chemical, and biological science. The role supports multi-disciplinary research efforts that drive innovation and address complex scientific challenges. Apply by February 1. Req ID: 10083
PhD Intern - In Situ Characterization: Responsible for conducting innovative research in geochemistry, environmental science, and materials to advance in situ characterization methods such as transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The role involves designing novel experimental approaches, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, contributing to publications, and presenting finding to address complex scientific challenges in crystal growth and nanoparticle characterization. Apply by January 29. Req ID: 9893
PhD Intern - DHS WIRED Development Program: Responsible for contributing to national security research aimed at tackling complex challenges in fields such as analytics, biology, chemistry, cybersecurity, and engineering. The role involves collaborating with experts to design and operationalize innovative technologies that enhance national security and address critical threats. Apply by February 1. Req ID: 9930
Masters Intern - DHS WIRED Development Program: Responsible for supporting national security research to address complex challenges in analytics, biology, cybersecurity, and engineering. The role involves collaboration with experts to develop and apply innovative technologies and approaches that enhance national security and solve critical issues. Apply by February 1. Req ID: 9929
NSIP PhD Intern - AI & Data Analytics Division: Responsible for supporting research using advanced computational, statistical, and AI techniques to develop innovative solutions in areas like data science, software engineering, and human-centered computing. The role involves collaborating on cutting-edge research, designing robust models, and optimizing big data solutions to enhance national security and address complex scientific challenges. Apply by February 7. Req ID: 10129
Undergraduate Intern - DHS WIRED Development Program: Responsible for designing, defining, and operationalizing technologies and approaches that respond to complex national security problems, while working with world class scientists, engineers, and program specialists to contribute ideas to address those challenges. Apply by February 1. Req ID: 9928
NSIP PhD Intern - Phys Detect Systems & Deploy: Responsible for performing research and development critical to prevent and counter terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The role involves discovering, developing, and deploying physical detection systems within PNNL’s Physical Detection Systems and Deployment Division. Apply by February 7. Req ID: 10051
NSIP Masters Intern – Emerging Threats & Technologies Division [Summer 2025]: Responsible for applying cutting-edge research to complex problems in national security, energy, and science under the Emerging Threats & Technologies Division. The role can be in one of several technical groups: Cyber Analysis and Analytics, Cyber Resilience Foundations, Cyber Risk Reduction, Global Research Analysis, Threat Prevention and Resilience, Strategic Threat Analysis, Mission Alignment, and/or Innovative Security Solutions. Apply by February 7. Req ID: 10186
Nuclear Science Undergrad Intern - MSIPP- EM: Responsible for researching topics and areas that cover geochemistry, microbiology, computer science, chemistry, engineering, earth science and more. All research aligns with DOE-EM’s mission to safely immobilize and cleanup environmental legacy waste, focusing on cleanup of the Hanford Site which is one of the most complex DOE sites. Apply by February 4. Req ID: 10162
MSIPP CONNECT JD Intern: Responsible for contributing to research and providing programmatic support to the National Security Directorate’s Threat Prevention and Resilience group and will contribute to both domestic and international efforts that promote U.S. Government international security and nonproliferation objectives. The role involves specialized topics such as arms control, export controls, sanctions, economics, international trade, law, and data analysis. Apply by February 1. Req ID: 10046
MSIPP CONNECT Masters Intern: Responsible for contributing to research and programmatic support to National Security Directorate’s Threat Prevention and Resilience group and will have the opportunity to contribute to both domestic and international efforts that promote U.S. Government international security and nonproliferation objectives. The role involves specialized topics such as arms control, export controls, sanctions, economics, international trade, law, and data analysis. Apply by February 1. Req ID: 10047
NSIP PhD Intern - Nuclear, Chemistry & Biological Technology: Responsible for conducting research in nuclear, chemical, and biological technologies, while engaging in experimental design, data analysis, and collaborative projects. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to multidisciplinary research efforts that address complex scientific challenges and advance technological innovations. Apply by February 1. Req ID: 10084
NSIP Post Bachelors RA - Phys Detect Systems & Deploy: Responsible for performing research and development critical to prevent and counter terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction for PNNL’s Physical Detection Systems and Deployment Division. The role involves supporting the Division’s mission to discover, develop, and deploy physical detection systems in the areas of national security, energy, and science. Apply by February 7. Req ID: 10049
NSIP Post Bachelors RA - AI & Data Analytics: Responsible for applying advanced computational, statistical, and AI techniques to tackle critical national challenges by developing innovative solutions in areas such as data science, software engineering, and human-centered computing. The role involves working on cutting-edge research, creating robust systems, optimizing big data solutions, and contributing to projects that enhance national security. Apply by February 7. Req ID: 10130
See full details on these and additional opportunities on the Careers website; search for “nuclear.” Join our Talent Community and upload your resume to receive updates on future PNNL job postings.
PNNL's multidisciplinary expertise in nuclear science provides solutions to some of the world’s most complex environmental, radiological, and national security challenges.
Nuclear@PNNL gives readers a firsthand look at PNNL's focus on nuclear materials behavior, chemistry, forensics, and processing to advance nuclear energy, resolve legacy waste, and support national security. Each issue highlights the expertise of our researchers, their contributions to the nuclear mission space, and our state-of-the-art research facilities where discoveries and advancements are made.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory draws on its distinguishing strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology and data science to advance scientific knowledge and address challenges in sustainable energy and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, which is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE’s Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit the PNNL's News Center. Follow us onTwitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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