Computational Scientist in the Artificial Intelligence for Science (AIScience)

Job Description

Job Title: Computational Scientist – Artificial Intelligence for Science (AI4Science)
Job Type: Full-time
Salary Range: $109,000 – $174,200 per year
Expiration Date: September 16, 2025

Location: Princeton, NJ (On-site, Day Shift, No Overtime)

Overview
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) seeks to fill a Computational Scientist in Artificial Intelligence For Science (AI4Science) position in the Computational Sciences Department. The successful candidate will establish and solicit long-term funding for a program focused on (a) foundational research in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), and (b) application-oriented research in PPPL-relevant AI4Science topics.

Role Overview
The incumbent will help develop a fast-paced AI/ML program strategically aligned with DOE and other Federal Agency goals, ensuring that the research program advances and fits within PPPL Annual Laboratory Plans (ALP) goals. This position comes with steady-state funding for three years.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead AI/ML research programs for plasma physics, fusion, and computational sciences.

• Establish funding streams for long-term AI4Science initiatives.

• Build research capabilities in data assimilation, control systems, and AI for PDEs.

• Develop partnerships with Princeton University and DOE National Laboratories.

• Mentor and train staff in AI/ML methods.

• Publish and present original research in scientific journals and conferences.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or related AI/ML field.

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in academia, R&D, or scientific research.

• Strong record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

• Demonstrated leadership and collaboration skills.

• Expertise in AI/ML for computational science, HPC, and fusion energy applications.

Research Focus Areas

• Machine Learning for Digital Twins, Foundation Models, and Surrogates.

• Inference tools for analyzing experimental and simulation data.

• Foundational ML research for solving partial differential equations (PDEs).

• AI-augmented HPC application acceleration and systems.

• AI-driven control systems for large-scale experiments.

Working Conditions

• Schedule: Full-time, day shift, no overtime.

• Weekly Hours: 40

• Probationary Period: 180 days

• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits program offered by Princeton University.