Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0005221)

Johns Hopkins University; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, seeks a PREP Research Associate to support Modelica modeling for a digital twin project with NIST PREP. The role involves reviewing existing models, identifying tunable parameters, and developing new components for improved integration with FMUs and co-simulation in Python.

Strong technical and communication skills are essential. Responsibilities include presenting findings, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, and

Qualifications

• University-level degree in CS or Engineering required.
• Proficiency with Modelica modeling using Buildings library.
• Experience with OpenModelica and FMU-based co-simulation in Python.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in engineering/physics or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review and understand existing models.
• Identify parameters to tune for digital twin alignment.
• Modify and develop models as needed.
• Add Guideline 36 controllers to the model.
• Present results at internal and external meetings.
• Ensure results, protocols, software, and docs are archived.

Skills

Modelica modeling

Python

MATLAB

Data analysis

Oral and written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Master’s or PhD in engineering or physics or related field

Tools

Modelica

OpenModelica

FMU/co-simulation

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 : $40,000 - $60,000

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 andTechnology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP).NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaboratewith researchers at academic institutions on specific projects ofmutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to berecipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from awide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research acrossvarious fields. Individuals in this position will perform technicalwork supporting the collaboration's scientific research.

Research Title: Modelica Modeling in Support of a BuildingDigital Twin

The work will entail:

NIST has several projects related to digital twins in the builtenvironment. These projects are developing the infrastructureneeded to ease the development and deployment of digital twins andinform existing and future standards. The Intelligent BuildingAgents Laboratory (IBAL) is being used in these efforts. A Modelicamodel was developed for the IBAL, but this model needs to be beimproved and updated so that it can be used to demonstrate the fullphysical-digital twin workflow. Guideline 36 controllers need to beadded to the model, and the parameters that will be tuned to alignthe digital twin with the physical twin need to be identified. Someof these parameters are not tunable when the model is converted toan FMU for co-simulation, so some models will need to be modifiedor developed to make those parameters available after the FMU hasbeen compiled.

U.S. Citizen Preferred

Key responsibilities will include but are not limitedto:

• Reviewing and understanding the existing models.
• Identifying the parameters that need to be tuned.
• Modifying and developing new models as needed.
• Adding Guideline 36 controllers to the model.
• Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetingswith external stakeholders.
• Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentationhave been archived or otherwise transmitted to the largerorganization.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in Computer Science or Engineering.
• Experience with Modelica modeling using the Buildingslibrary.
• Preferred experience with Modelica modeling inOpenModelica.
• Preferred experience with FMUs and co-simulation in Python.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• A master’s or PhD in engineering or physics or related field.
• A background in performing experimental work, data collection andanalysis.
• Ability to control, operate and automate scientific test equipmentand instrumentation.
• Familiarity with MATLAB or Python.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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 ordemographic characteristics that are irrelevant to the programinvolved.

Salary Range

The 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 information can 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 ordemographic 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.