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Postdoctoral Researcher – Human-Agent Collaboration in Scientific Discovery

National Laboratory of the Rockies

Golden, CO

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$76,600–$126,400 Per Year
SKILLS
Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) Natural Language, Background Investigation, Biochemistry, Communication Skills, Computer Skills, Cost Control, Cross-Functional, Docker, Economic Growth, Engineering, English Language, Experiment Design, Government, Homeland Security, Human-Computer Interaction, Laboratory, MCP - Microsoft Certified Professional, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Mentoring, Modeling Languages, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Physics, Research & Development (R&D), Research Skills, Scientific Research, Software Engineering, State Laws and Regulations, Statistics, System Integration (SI), Systems Analysis, Systems Engineering, Team Player, Test Plan/Schedule, Trademarks, United States Department of Energy (DOE), Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Golden, CO
POSTED
7 days ago
Posting Title

Postdoctoral Researcher – Human-Agent Collaboration in Scientific Discovery

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Postdoc (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NLR

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.


Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.


At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.


Job Description


The Computational Sciences Center (CSC) has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher in Human-Agent Collaboration for Scientific Discovery. This emerging research area takes on a multidisciplinary approach (across Human-AI (HAI) teaming, natural language processing, and AI for Science) to explore frameworks that integrate agentic AI systems into the day-to-day work of human scientists.


We are specifically looking for a candidate interested in: (1) developing new algorithms for: orchestrating multi-turn dialogue works for HAI collaboration in long-running scientific discovery projects, optimizing asynchronous communication and coordination between humans and agents, or enhancing the explainability of agentic decision making. The candidate will also (2) lead an effort to design and conduct human evaluations measuring real-world efficacy with scientists.


The postdoc will be paired with an AI research mentor in CSC and will contribute to a platform developed by a multi-institution collaborative project led by NLR. The ideal candidate is a curious, self-driven researcher with both a strong technical background in applied mathematics and statistics pertinent to design of experiments for interactive evaluations, as well as a strong software engineering skill set.


Job Responsibilities:


+ Independently lead an AI research project, under supervision of your research mentor and in collaboration with other project members, with the goal of submitting a manuscript at a top-tier venue at the end of the first year

+ Lead an effort to conduct interactive evaluations of the proposed research with human scientists through real-world studies

+ Develop, test, and push high-quality code from project work to the platform

+ Communicate research progress verbally and in writing through regular project updates


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Basic Qualifications

Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.


* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.


Additional Required Qualifications


+ Experience using software frameworks and standards for designing and evaluating agentic AI systems (e.g., Docker, Model Context Protocol (MCP), AgentSkills, OpenHands)

+ Familiarity with the fundamentals of large language models: architectures, training pipelines including post-training, data curation, and downstream deployment as agents

+ Experience applying machine learning to scientific discovery problems (e.g., materials discovery, bio, chemistry, physics, theorem proving, etc.)

+ Strong communication skills and a proactive, question-driven approach to collaboration


Preferred Qualifications


+ Research experience in human-computer interaction and/or human-AI teaming

+ Track record of first-author publications in top-tier venues

+ Demonstrated interest in using AI as a tool to solve scientific challenges


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Job Application Submission Window


The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.


Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400


NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.


Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short-term disability insurance*; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; and paid holidays. NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.


* Based on eligibility rules


Badging Requirement

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.


Drug Free Workplace


NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.


If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.


Submission Guidelines


Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.


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Equal Opportunity Employer


All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.


Reasonable Accommodations (http://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html)


E-Verifywww.dhs.gov/E-VerifyFor information about right to work, click here (http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2013/08/13/FinalOSCPosterEN08_01_2013.pdf) for English orhere (http://www.justice.gov/crt/file/813271/download) for Spanish.


E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.


The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for critical minerals, energy innovation, and energy security. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, Fairbanks, Alaska, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NLR bridges foundational research with practical applications to develop and bring to scale new energy materials and technologies that lower energy costs, drive economic growth, and deliver abundant and reliable energy.


NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NLR by the Department of Energy (DOE).


Drug Free Workplace


NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.


If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.


Please review the information on our Hiring Process (https://www.nlr.gov/careers/hiring-process.html) website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NLR (https://www.nlr.gov/about/) , visit our Careers site (https://www.nlr.gov/careers/) , and continue to search for job opportunities (https://nrel.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/NLR) at the lab.

About the Company

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National Laboratory of the Rockies