2027 PhD Graduate - Cyber Vulnerability Researcher

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance

Retirement contributions

Work-life balance

Sign-on bonus

Relocation benefits

Locality allowance

Discretionary payments

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD seeks a technical leader and cyber capability developer to tackle reverse engineering challenges. You will collaborate across disciplines, pursue funded research, and publish findings while contributing to national security.

Qualified candidates hold a PhD in a related technical field, have embedded development and reverse engineering experience, and can obtain a TS/SCI clearance or hold an active Secret clearance by day one.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related field.
• Experience in embedded development, reverse engineering, or hardware hacking.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work independently and on a team.
• Eligibility: U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance; active Secret clearance by start date.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to analyze and reverse engineer systems and uncover vulnerabilities.
• Shape cybersecurity research using internal funding to pursue ideas and emerging challenges.
• Disseminate complex technical concepts via papers, presentations, and discussions with staff and decision-makers.
• Develop solutions that transition research into prototype and operational systems.

Skills

PhD holder

Embedded development

Reverse engineering

Security clearance

Education

PhD in CS/CE/EE/Math

Tools

Assembly (x86/x64, ARM, MIPS)

Job description

Are you a technical leader, researcher, and cyber capability developer eager to tackle some of the nation's hardest reverse engineering challenges? Are you capable of developing groundbreaking technologies that overcome advanced software and hardware protections? If so, APL's Asymmetric Operations Sector (AOS) is seeking outstanding PhD graduates ready to apply their talent to the field's most complex reverse engineering problems! We're tackling some of national security's toughest technical challenges, including how to:

• rapidly emulate firmware on undocumented SoCs to enable deeper introspection
• find memory and logic vulnerabilities in firmware at scale
• correlate source code and binary data
• automatically recover complex C/C++ structures from stripped binaries
• amplify reverse engineers with AI tooling
• disassemble processor ISAs with no public documentation

As a member of APL's Senior Staff, you will provide our sponsors with innovative solutions and deep technical expertise to push the boundaries of engineering and help our nation anticipate the threats and challenges of tomorrow. APL provides many funding opportunities that enable staff members to engage in both classified work and publishable research, fostering a broad and impactful technical portfolio. As a multidisciplinary research center, APL also encourages collaboration across disciplines, giving you the opportunity to work alongside world-class experts in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, space exploration, radio communications, and additive manufacturing. We look forward to learning about your dissertation during the interview process and exploring how your expertise can contribute to our team's mission of advancing cybersecurity and protecting our nation. In this role, you will...

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members to analyze and reverse engineer systems, uncover security vulnerabilities, and understand their potential impact.
• Shape the future of cybersecurity research by leveraging internal funding opportunities to pursue ideas and emerging challenges.
• Share your knowledge by communicating complex technical concepts through papers, presentations, and discussions with technical staff, leadership, and government decision-makers.
• Develop solutions that transition cutting-edge research into prototype and operational systems.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Possess a PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical degree.
• Have experience in embedded development, reverse engineering, or hardware hacking.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and on a team.
• Are an outstanding communicator in both written and verbal forms.
• Can achieve (or currently hold) an active Secret security clearance by the first day of employment. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
• Are able to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance.

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

• Have held dynamic technical leadership roles for 5+ years.
• Understand the internals of major operating systems, exploitation techniques, and mitigations.
• Have experience reading or writing assembly (x86/x64, Arm, PowerPC, MIPS, or others).
• Have had prior interactions with the Department of War and/or Intelligence Community.
• Hold an active TS/SCI Clearance.

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.

Benefits

• Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance.
• 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.

Minimum Rate

$105,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$245,000 Annually