PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is highlighting scientific and technical experts in the national security domain who were recently promoted to scientist and engineer Level 5, one of PNNL’s most senior research roles. These individuals have contributed significantly to groundbreaking scientific advancements, cutting-edge technology, and innovative solutions developing at PNNL.

Adam Roberts, chief cybersecurity researcher at PNNL, is highly regarded for his expertise in information retrieval technologies and cybersecurity. His work involves designing and implementing innovative access technologies and has been recognized by the highest levels of the U.S. government. “What really excites me is I get to come to work and brainstorm with a team of experts where we can invent a new technology that could go from an initial concept to deploying it to use on a sponsor’s network,” said Roberts.

Roberts’s journey at PNNL started when he was a senior in high school, when he accepted an offer to be an intern for six months.

Through that experience, he was able to explore his career interests and figure out how and where he wanted to make a difference. “I think one thing that really stood out to me about PNNL was the fact that it’s a federally funded research and development center, or FFRDC,” said Roberts. “We can go shadow our sponsors in person and actually watch them do their day jobs first-hand and identify their gaps and challenges. Something I didn’t get working in industry settings.”

Roberts was named PNNL National Security Directorate’s Business Developer of the Year in 2019 for developing sponsor relationships and technical vision, leading to major new programmatic growth. Roberts is a trusted mentor to new and existing staff and has guided multiple Scholarship for Service students in completing their degrees and converting into successful PNNL staff. He also serves as a Team Leader in the Cyber Analysis and Analytics group.

“At PNNL, when you get hired on, you’re not always locked into a specific job function or task. You have the flexibility to propose new ideas to your team and the opportunity is there to either grow your current skillset or pivot to another,” said Roberts. “Sky’s the limit of where you want to take your career.”

Click here for more of the Science for Security video series