Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0005093)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is seeking a PREP Research Associate to support robotics research through the PREP program with NIST collaboration. You will develop scalable software architectures using ROS 2, C++, Java, and C# while implementing PLC interfaces to connect autonomous logic with industrial hardware.

The role involves hands-on testing on real hardware and simulators, documentation, and collaboration with NIST researchers.

Qualifications

• ROS 2 experience and hands-on software development in robotics
• Proficiency in C++ and/or Java; also experience with C# and Python
• Experience with PLC programming for industrial automation and hardware interfaces
• Familiarity with Linux/Unix (Ubuntu) and Windows environments
• Strong object-oriented design, debugging, and documentation skills

Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and maintain scalable robotic software architectures using ROS 2, C++, Java, and C# with NIST researchers
• Implement PLC programming and design interfaces bridging high-level autonomous logic with industrial hardware and sensors
• Build device drivers, communication protocols, and APIs for cross-platform interoperability
• Conduct hands-on system testing, debugging, and performance optimization on real hardware and simulations
• Document codebase architectures and write system user guides; present progress to team leads

Skills

ROS 2 experience

C++

Java

C#

PLC programming

Linux

Windows

Git

OOP

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS/Robotics/CE/EE/Software Engineering

Tools

Git

ROS 2

PLC programming tools

Job description

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first researchuniversity and home to nine world-class academic divisions workingtogether as one university.

Salary : $70,000-$75,000 a year

Johns Hopkins University: Whiting School of Engineering: Office ofResearch and Translation

Description

PREP Research Associate

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST)Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizesthat its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers atacademic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thusrequires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREPaward. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range ofbackgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employeesin this position will perform technical work that underpins thescientific research of the collaboration.

The work will entail:

NIST is focused on the development and integration of roboticsoftware architectures, leveraging ROS2, Java, C#, and C++ to buildscalable control frameworks. The work will involve designing robustsystem interfaces and implementing PLC programming to bridgehigh-level logic with physical hardware, ensuring seamlessinteroperability and performance across diverse roboticplatforms.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limitedto:

• Develop, integrate, and maintain scalable robotic softwarearchitectures using ROS 2, C++, Java, and C# in collaboration withNIST researchers.
• Implement Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming and design system interfaces to bridge high-level autonomous logic withindustrial physical hardware and sensors.
• Build robust device drivers, communication protocols, and APIs to ensure seamless software interoperability and execution across diverse robotic platforms.
• Conduct hands-on system testing, debugging, and performanceoptimization on real physical hardware and simulated environmentsto ensure reliable operation.
• Document codebase architectures, write system user guides, andpresent regular project progress updates to team members andproject leads.

Qualifications

• US Citizens preferred.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in ComputerScience, Robotics, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering,Software Engineering, or a related field.

• Hands-on experience developing software applications within theROS 2 ecosystem.
• Understanding of robotic nodes, topics, services, actions, andcustom message types
• Strong proficiency in C++ and/or Java.
• Proficiency or working experience with C# and Python.
• Experience with PLC programming (e.g., Ladder Logic, StructuredText, or Function Block Diagrams) for industrial automation.
• Experience interfacing high-level controllers with industrialhardware (e.g., actuators, relays, safety systems, fieldbusprotocols).
• Proficient with version control systems and workflows (e.g.,Git, GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket).
• Experience working in Linux/Unix (Ubuntu) environments as wellas Windows.
• Solid grounding in object-oriented programming (OOP), softwaretesting, and debugging strategies.

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 financialassistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s degree holders,graduate students, master’s degree holders, postdocs, andfaculty.

PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratoriesand participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborativeresearch relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of highereducation in the following disciplines including (but may not belimited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computerscience, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics,nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, andstatistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitatethe administrative functions of the PREP Program.

Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected toperform the requisite reviews of the applications to determineeligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure ofthis information is also subject to all the published routine usesas identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1:NIST Associates.

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

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Salary Range

This referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximumsalaries for this position and is based on Johns HopkinsUniversity's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not allcandidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range.The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may varyand will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may includethe successful candidate's geographic location, skills, workexperience, internal equity, market conditions, education/trainingand other factors, as reasonably determined by theUniversity.

Total Rewards

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity forits faculty, staff, and students. To that end, the university doesnot discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status,pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age,disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity orexpression, veteran status or other legally protectedcharacteristics. The University is committed to providing qualifiedindividuals access to all academic and employment programs,benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability,performance and merit without regard to personal factors ordreographic characteristics that are irrelevant to the programinvolved.

Pre-Employment Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with Johns HopkinsUniversity and require special assistance or accommodation duringany part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HRBusiness Services Office at [e-mail] . ForTTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For moreinformation about workplace accommodations at Johns HopkinsUniversity for disabilities, medical conditions (including medicalconditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), accessibility, orreligious 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 backgroundcheck including education verification. When deciding whether acandidate’s conviction history is job-disqualifying, the Universityconsiders the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that haspassed since the conviction, and the nature of the job beingsought.

EEO is the Law

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

Vaccine Requirements

Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longerrequires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This changedoes not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must befully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proofof vaccination status. We still require all faculty, staff, andstudents to receive the seasonalflu vaccine .

Exceptions to the seasonal flu vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine (forSOM) requirement(s) may be provided to individuals with sincerelyheld religious beliefs or medical conditions that preclude themfrom receiving the vaccine. Requests for an exception must besubmitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additionalinformation, 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 involvingcommunity contact requires documentation of immune status againstRubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella(chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received theTdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may includedocumentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicellavaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratorytesting. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases areordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except forthose candidates who provide results of blood tests or immunizationdocumentation from their own health care providers. Anyvaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no costin our Occupational Health office.