Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0004936)

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

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University invites applications for a PREP Research Associate in Applied AI for Manufacturing in Gaithersburg, MD. This PREP opportunity focuses on trustworthy AI solutions to enhance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and quality, spanning design, evaluation, deployment, and transition to operations.

The role emphasizes technical development, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and pilot demonstrations to advance AI-enabled manufacturing research and practice.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting research and measurement science in AI/ML, data science, or related fields to manufacturing contexts.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, or implement AI-related methodologies, frameworks, or pilot projects.
• Ability to translate research outcomes into practical, measurable industry or government impact.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy applied AI solutions for manufacturing challenges (process optimization, quality, predictive maintenance).
• Integrate AI into manufacturing systems and workflows to improve performance and decisions.
• Conduct advanced research and analyses to evaluate trustworthy AI approaches for manufacturing.
• Collaborate with researchers across NIST, academia, industry, and partners to advance AI-enabled manufacturing research.
• Support transitions of research into scalable, operational solutions for U.S. manufacturers.

Skills

AI/ML research

Data science

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Multidisciplinary collaboration

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). NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.

PREP Research Associate Announcement

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 Manufacturing

The work will entail:

The Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scientist for Manufacturing will serve as a technical expert in the design, development, evaluation, and deployment of trustworthy AI technologies to advance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, productivity, and quality. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research initiatives and support the transition of innovative AI-enabled manufacturing solutions from the laboratory to operational manufacturing environments.

Key responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Technical Development and Implementation

• Design, develop, and deploy applied AI solutions focused on addressing key manufacturing challenges, including process optimization, quality assurance, predictive maintenance, digital engineering, and production planning.
• Integrate AI technologies into manufacturing systems, workflows, and operational processes to improve performance, efficiency, and decision-making.

Research and Technical Analysis

• Conduct advanced research and technical analyses to develop and evaluate trustworthy AI approaches for manufacturing applications.
• Contribute to measurement science research supporting the evaluation, validation, and assurance of AI-enabled manufacturing systems.

Technical Collaboration and Coordination

• Collaborate with researchers and technical experts across NIST, academia, industry, and external partner organizations to advance AI-enabled manufacturing research.
• Support the development of technical guidance, best practices, and standards-related activities related to AI in manufacturing.

Technology Transition and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the transition of research outcomes into scalable, operational solutions for U.S. manufacturers and manufacturing technology stakeholders.

Contribute to pilot implementations, technology demonstrations, and industry engagement activities that promote the adoption of AI-enabled manufacturing solutions

Qualifications

• Experience conducting research and measurement science in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, or related fields to address challenges in manufacturing, industrial systems, or other critical and emerging technology areas.
• Experience developing, evaluating, or implementing AI-related methodologies, frameworks, standards, benchmarks, 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), trustworthy AI principles, 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.

PREPis a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate the administrative functions of the PREP Program.

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-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.