Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0004898)

Johns Hopkins University; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 50,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University in Gaithersburg, MD, is seeking a Research Associate in Applied AI for Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure. The role focuses on designing, developing, evaluating, and deploying trustworthy AI to strengthen cybersecurity in critical infrastructure.

You will work across NIST collaborations to transition lab results into real-world solutions. Responsibilities include developing AI approaches, evaluating frameworks, and supporting pilot deployments with industry

Qualifications

• Experience in AI/ML research addressing cybersecurity challenges.
• Experience developing guidelines or frameworks for AI.
• Ability to transition research into practical solutions for industry or government.
• Knowledge of the AI RMF and related AI guidance documents.
• Strong analytical, technical, and communication skills for multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy applied AI solutions for strengthening cybersecurity in critical infrastructure.
• Integrate AI technologies into cybersecurity workflows and operational processes.
• Conduct advanced research to evaluate trustworthy AI approaches for cybersecurity.
• Develop methodologies to ensure AI systems are robust, secure, and explainable.
• Collaborate with researchers across NIST and external partners to advance AI-enabled cybersecurity research.
• Support transition of research outcomes into scalable, operational solutions for industry partners.

Job description

General Description

Salary: $50,000-$100,000 a year

PREP Research Associate

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). The PREP program provides valuable research and laboratory experience, as well as financial support, to researchers at various stages of their academic and professional careers. Individuals in this position will perform technical work that advances scientific research and measurement science across multiple disciplines.

Research Title:

Research Associate - Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scientist for Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure

Position Description

The Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scientist for Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure will serve as a technical expert in the design, development, evaluation, and deployment of trustworthy AI technologies to enhance the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure systems. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research initiatives and support the transition of innovative AI-enabled cybersecurity solutions from the laboratory to operational environments.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Technical Development and Implementation:

• Design, develop, and deploy applied AI solutions focused on strengthening cybersecurity capabilities for critical infrastructure environments.
• Integrate AI technologies into cybersecurity workflows, tools, and operational processes.

Research and Technical Analysis:

• Conduct advanced research and technical analyses to develop and evaluate trustworthy AI approaches for cybersecurity applications.
• Develop methodologies and frameworks that ensure AI systems are robust, secure, explainable, and resilient to adversarial threats.

Technical Collaboration and Coordination:

• Collaborate with researchers and technical experts across NIST and external partner organizations to advance AI-enabled cybersecurity research.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and assess their applicability to critical infrastructure cybersecurity challenges.

Technology Transition and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Support the transition of research outcomes into scalable, operational solutions for U.S. industry partners and critical infrastructure stakeholders.
• Contribute to pilot implementations, technology demonstrations, and industry engagement activities that promote adoption of research-based solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting research and measurement science in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or related fields to address challenges in critical and emerging technology areas, including cybersecurity.
• Experience developing, evaluating, or implementing AI-related guidelines, frameworks, standards, or pilot projects.
• Demonstrated ability to transition research outcomes into practical applications that deliver measurable impact to industry or government stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF) and related AI guidance documents.
• Strong analytical, technical, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary research environments.

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)

Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which isdesigned to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.

Routine Uses:

NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.

Disclosure:

Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.

Salary Range

The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximum salaries for this position and is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary and will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, internal equity, market conditions, education/training and other factors, as reasonably determined by the University.

Total Rewards

Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/ .

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity for its faculty, staff, and students. To that end, the university does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics. The university is committed to providing qualified individuals access to all academic and employment programs, benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance and merit without regard to personal factors or demographic characteristics that are irrelevant to the program involved.

Pre-Employment Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at [e-mail] . For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations at Johns Hopkins University for disabilities, medical conditions (including medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), accessibility, or religious reasons, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu .

Background Checks

After receiving a conditional offer, the successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check including education verification. When deciding whether a candidate's conviction history is job-disqualifying, the University considers the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job being sought.

EEO is the Law

https://www.eeoc.gov/employees-job-applicants

Vaccine Requirements

Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine.

Exceptions to the seasonal flu vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine (for SOM) requirement(s) may be provided to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs or medical conditions that preclude them from receiving the vaccine. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/ .

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those candidates who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.