2027 Graduate - Analyst/Researcher - Cyber Capabilities Development

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance

Retirement contributions

Work-life balance

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks candidates for the Cyber Warfare Systems Group (QCR) to apply analytical, research, and data skills to national security cyber mission challenges. You will work across intelligence, data science, and mission domains to produce actionable insights.

You will develop assessments, apply AI-enabled analytic tools, analyze adversary behavior, and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to inform mission outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant analytical field.
• Experience in intelligence analysis, OSINT, or data analysis.
• Ability to translate findings into actionable insights and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Apply analytical and research skills to understand complex cyber mission environments.
• Develop assessments, data products, and decision support to inform missions.
• Collaborate with technical, operational, government, contractor, and APL teammates.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Open-source intelligence

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant analytical field

Job description

Description

Do you want to use analytical, research, policy, data, or language skills to solve some of the nation's most challenging cyber operations problems?

Do you notice connections, patterns, and vulnerabilities that others miss?

Are you intellectually curious and interested in understanding how geopolitical, technical, behavioral, and mission factors intersect?

Are you passionate about national security and public service?

If so, you may be a great fit for the Cyber Warfare Systems Group (QCR)! QCR team members apply their skills to offensive security operations and non-kinetic mission defeat. We help the U.S. military address complex cyber operations challenges and execute cyber missions at scale in support of joint operations. Our best solutions often emerge at the intersection of technology, intelligence, data, human behavior, and mission understanding. We bring together people with multidisciplinary analytical and mission backgrounds because the hardest cyber operations problems rarely fit neatly within a single subject area. Our research areas include analysis and targeting, cyber-layer modeling, cybersecurity, and human-systems modeling.

As a member of our team...

You will apply analytical and research skills to develop a deeper understanding of complex cyber mission environments and turn information into actionable mission insight. Depending on your background, interests, and areas of expertise, you may:

• Investigate complex questions using intelligence analysis, open-source information, publicly or commercially available information, data, foreign-language sources, and other research methods.
• Analyze global events, adversary behavior, mission vulnerabilities, relationships, networks, and other factors that shape cyber operations.
• Apply analytical methods such as targeting, graph theory, network analysis, data science, structured analytic techniques, or human-systems analysis to complex mission problems.
• Develop assessments, analytical methods, data products, and decision support approaches that translate complex information into meaningful mission insight.
• Use and critically evaluate AI-enabled analytical tools, understanding both their potential and their limitations in complex mission environments.
• Partner with technical, operational, government, contractor, and APL teammates as analysis informs capability development and mission execution

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for consideration if you:

• Are graduating with or have recently completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a field relevant to our work, such as Intelligence Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Foreign Language, Psychology, Data Science, Statistics, Economics, or a related analytical discipline.
• Have academic, research, internship, or professional experience in one or more areas such as intelligence analysis, targeting, open-source intelligence (OSINT), publicly available information (PAI), commercially available information (CAI), geopolitical analysis, foreign language analysis, data analysis, graph theory, network analysis, penetration testing, cyber threat intelligence, human behavior, or related fields.
• Enjoy investigating ambiguous questions, identifying patterns and connections, evaluating evidence, and translating findings into useful insights.
• Can critically evaluate analytical methods and tools, including AI-enabled approaches, and distinguish evidence-supported conclusions from unsupported assumptions.
• Can effectively communicate information, concepts, findings, and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Have a passion for applying analytical and research expertise to complex national security and cyber mission challenges.
• Are able to acquire an Interim Top Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately acquire a Top Secret with SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information.Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have hands-on cybersecurity, vulnerability research, information security, networking, software, or other technical experience that helps you connect analytical findings to cyber systems and operations.
• Have proficiency in defense-critical foreign languages or experience applying language and cultural expertise to complex analytical problems.
• Have experience applying AI/ML, large language models, or AI agents to research, analysis, automation, or other complex tasks and understand the opportunities, limitations, and risks associated with using AI in mission-critical environments.
• Have demonstrated leadership, initiative, or the ability to bring people together to accomplish challenging goals. We value people who make their teams better, whether or not they hold a formal leadership role.
• Understand defense and intelligence sponsor operations and processes such as acquisition, sustainment, risk management, or test and evaluation.
• Have an active Secret-level clearance or above.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

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].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$165,000 Annually