2026 PhD Graduate – Artificial Intelligence and Complex Systems Postdoc Researcher

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,300 - 155,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Medical and dental insurance

Job summary

Join Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab as a Postdoc researcher focusing on AI for Science and complex systems. Your role involves leading projects vital for national security, utilizing AI methods while collaborating with domain experts.

Applicants must hold a PhD in a related field and possess strong AI skills. Benefits include competitive pay, retirement plans, and more.

Qualifications

• Have a PhD degree in a relevant field such as AI or Engineering.
• Have published research in peer-reviewed venues.
• Experienced in AI/ML methods and Python development.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI for Science projects impacting national security.
• Develop modern AI methods and workflows.
• Publish research and engage with external collaborators.

Skills

AI/ML methods

Deep learning

Python

High performance computing (HPC)

Education

PhD in AI, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, or Engineering

Tools

PyTorch

JAX

Job description

Overview

Are you eager to use artificial intelligence (AI) to unlock insights from complex, high-dimensional data towards national security impact?

Do you want to bring innovative AI to real-world challenges in domains such as materials science, biology, chemistry, and advanced manufacturing?

Are you pursuing studies in AI, machine learning, or a related field - and looking for a Postdoc role where you can push the boundaries of AI for Science in interdisciplinary and high‑impact ways?

If so, we’d love to meet you!

We are seeking a creative Postdoc problem solver with strong technical capabilities and initiative to join our team in taking on challenges in complex systems. The Complex Systems Group, part of the Intelligent Systems Center, conducts research at the intersection of AI and complex systems, with an emphasis on advancing capabilities in machine learning‑based surrogate models, scientific automation, AI‑assisted reasoning, and AI‑guided design. We develop methods to drive discovery and design across scientific and engineering domains towards national security impact. This may include AI research in materials, protein engineering, chemistry, earth systems, and other physical and biological systems.

Responsibilities

As a Postdoc researcher in our group, your primary responsibility will be contributing to and leading AI for Science projects with national security implications. You will create, adapt, and evaluate modern AI methods including machine learning models, frontier AI systems, agentic workflows, physics‑ and domain-informed learning, AI‑driven surrogate models, and closed‑loop discovery architectures for scientific and engineering problems. You will establish collaborations with science and engineering domain experts and seek opportunities to propose your ideas for funding. You will also build working relationships with our Program Managers to identify opportunities to grow our work in key areas for our sponsors. You will publish your research in impactful venues and engage with the external research community, external collaborators, and sponsors.

Qualifications

• Have a PhD degree in a relevant field such as AI, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, or Engineering.
• Have published previous research in peer‑reviewed journals and/or conferences.
• Have experience in one or more key technical skills, including modern AI/ML methods, deep learning, foundation models, agentic workflows, physics‑or domain-informed ML, AI‑driven surrogate modeling, diffusion modeling, neural operators, graph neural networks, large language models, or symbolic AI.
• Are proficient in Python and developing AI/ML software.
• Have experience with containerized, cloud, high performance computing (HPC), or distributed computing environments.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret level clearance. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Have background knowledge in a science or engineering discipline such as materials, chemistry, biology, or advanced manufacturing.
• Are skilled in project management or leading technical teams.
• Have experience writing technical proposals, particularly for government research sponsors.
• Have experience applying AI/ML to real‑world data such as remote sensing data, materials data, omics data, or additive manufacturing related data.
• Have experience with relevant Python‑based AI and scientific computing tools, such as PyTorch, JAX, or related libraries.

Benefits

Applicants may receive a competitive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, training and development. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of bonuses, sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

Pay Range

Minimum Rate: $85,300 Annually

Maximum Rate: $155,500 Annually

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].