Jobs › Argonne National Laboratory

Information Assurance Representative

Argonne National Laboratory · Lemont, IL · $86,299–$134,626 a year · Full time

Posted Apr 23, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Argonne National Laboratory

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you found someone handling sensitive information wrong. How did you fix it without making them hide the next mistake?

What they are checking: Whether they build a reporting culture rather than one where people avoid the security office.

Describe a security policy or procedure you wrote or improved. How did you know it worked?

What they are checking: Whether their policy work led to measurable changes in behavior, not just a new document.

Researchers often see compliance as paperwork. How do you get scientists to take information protection seriously?

What they are checking: Whether they can earn credibility with technical staff by explaining the reason behind each requirement.

What would you do

A researcher wants to run sponsor data through a commercial AI tool to speed up analysis. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Judgment on AI use with sensitive information, which the posting calls out as increasingly important.

The division is writing a proposal for new work on CBRN threats. What information security questions do you raise before it goes out?

What they are checking: Whether they get involved early in proposals, when security requirements are cheapest to plan for.

You'll support other divisions across the NTNS Directorate too. How would you keep standards consistent when each division works differently?

What they are checking: Ability to apply the same rules fairly across groups with different cultures and sponsors.

Division leadership wants to accept a sponsor's requirement you think the team can't realistically meet. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they will give leadership a candid risk assessment even when it slows down new mission work.

How would you handle a possible unauthorized disclosure discovered late on a Friday?

What they are checking: Knowledge of incident response steps and urgency, including who must be notified and how fast.

About the work

As the division's IAR, how would you explain the difference between controlled unclassified information and export-controlled information to a researcher who just wants to share a dataset?

What they are checking: Whether they can make information categories practical for scientists who see security as a barrier.

How do you stay current on DOE orders and sponsor requirements for information protection, and how do you pass changes on to staff?

What they are checking: Whether they track policy changes actively and turn them into clear guidance people actually follow.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Argonne National Laboratory from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Argonne National Laboratory.

The Strategic Security Sciences Division at Argonne National Laboratory translates discovery and applied science innovations into practical solutions to enduring and emerging national security challenges. Through our multi-disciplinary R&D efforts and cross-organizational partnerships, we work to secure our nation’s energy future, drive nonproliferation innovation, harness emerging technology R&D for security, and counter chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) and cybersecurity threats. The individual in this role will serve as the division’s Information Assurance Representative (IAR) while also supporting other similar functions across the Nuclear Technologies and National Security (NTNS) Directorate. The IAR is a critical member of the division leadership team, assuring the protection of sensitive information as researchers meet sponsor commitments and propose new mission work. This role is increasingly important as we seek to harness the benefits of AI while guarding against its misuse. Specific Duties include : • Providing expert advice, consultation, and support to division leadership and staff in all aspects of information security compliance, overseeing implementation of preventative security standards, policies, and procedures and ensuring consistent application across all activities. • Determining and developing solutions to complex information security challenges, contributing to division and directorate goals and ensuring alignment with DOE and Argonne policies. • Ensuring accountability through oversight and guidance on information security, including proper handling, safeguarding, and protection of controlled unclassified information (CUI) and classified information to prevent unauthorized disclosure, in accordance with laboratory processes and procedures, DOE orders and guidelines, and Federal regulations. • Conducting and coordinating reviews of programmatic work products by facilitating division and Laboratory processes for publications release, internal proposal reviews, work acceptance reviews, project life cycle management, and security clearance-related processes. The IAR may also perform technical reviews of documents within his/her area(s) of expertise to determine appropriate classification levels. • Developing and contributing to the enhancement of internal review processes that improve the efficiency of information protection-related reviews while ensuring compliance and reliability. • Collaborating with Argonne’s Classification Office and derivative classifiers to resolve classification concerns and ensure compliance with DOE policies. • Providing backup support to the NTNS Directorate Security Manager and other NTNS divisions and assisting with Laboratory security operations and program requirements on request. Position Requirements • To perform the essential functions of this position successful applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship and an active TS or Q Security Clearance, which is required to comply with federal regulations and contract. In addition, the candidate must have the ability to obtain and maintain both Q and TS/SCI clearances. • Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Bachelors and 4+ years’ experience in a security-related field, Masters and 2+ years’ of specialized experience, or equivalent. • Experience in an information assurance role and/or as a derivative classifier. • Strong decision-making skills and judgment to develop solutions within defined policies and practices. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to be responsive to requests and manage time and processes effectively. This position requires frequent interaction with technical, professional, and management personnel to provide clear guidance on research and security related subjects. • Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other tools like Box/Box+ for documentation, tracking, and reporting. • A successful candidate must have the ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork. • This is an onsite position with the possibility of ad hoc telework. Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience • Technical background or literacy in a field relevant to the division (chemical, biological, or nuclear sciences or engineering; AI/ML; cybersecurity; or intelligence analysis). • Proficiency in using AI tools is preferred. • Knowledge of DOE, other federal sponsor, and DOE national laboratory information security regulations and guidelines (e.g. CUI, EAR, ITAR, 10CFR810, DOE S&T Matrix, etc.). • Knowledge of DOE security facility requirements. • Knowledge of security clearance authorities and requirements. Job Family Professional Technical (PT) Job Profile Security Operations 3 Worker Type Regular Time Type Full time The expected hiring range for this position is $86,299.00 - $134,626.05. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits! As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law. Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department. All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Apply at Argonne National Laboratory