Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0005239)

Johns Hopkins University; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 68,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University in Gaithersburg, MD, invites applications for a PREP Research Associate. The role supports the NIST PREP program, focusing on 3D vision systems, data analysis, and automated tasks using robot arms.

On-campus, full-time position under the Office of Research and Translation, Whiting School of Engineering. The successful candidate will perform experiments, analyze data with MATLAB/Python, and contribute to publications while collaborating with NIST and external resources.

Qualifications

• Education: Engineering bachelor's or master's degree (or final/penultimate year).
• Experience with robotic systems (robot arms, mobile manipulators).
• Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks.
• Experience using MATLAB and Python.
• Basic understanding of PyTorch, TensorFlow.
• Programming in C++ or Java.
• Experience using 3D printers.
• Understanding of 3D sensors such as LiDAR or RGB-D cameras.
• Basic Unix/Linux knowledge.
• Familiarity with 3D point cloud processing tools (CloudCompare).

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments and develop test methods for 3D vision systems.
• Analyze how object properties and sensor settings affect metrics.
• Program collaborative robot arms for automation tasks.
• Use metrology and analysis tools to establish reference measurements and visualize results.
• Write reports and contribute to peer‑reviewed publications.
• Collaborate with industry partners and assist in demonstrations.
• Perform market research for laboratory purchases.
• Record knowledge to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Work on campus in Gaithersburg, MD, full-time (40 hrs/week).

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 : $68,000 - $70,000

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: ROBOTICS AND PERCEPTION SYSTEMSENGINEER

U.S. Citizen Preferred

Position Description : The Intelligent Systems Division at NIST is investigating the performance of 3D vision systems forvarious manufacturing and automation applications. The researchwill focus on conducting experiments and analyzing data tounderstand the performance of these systems. This will support thedevelopment of performance metrics for these systems for variousindustrial applications.

Duties:

• Conduct experiments to realize several existing and novel testmethods for 3D vision systems.
• Research the effects of various physical properties of an objectand sensor settings on the test metrics.
• Program collaborative robot arms for conducting variousautomation tasks.
• Use metrology systems (e.g., laser trackers, CMMs, etc.) forestablishing reference measurements.
• Use analysis software (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Spatial Analyzer,Polyworks, Excel, etc.) to interpret results and producevisualizations.
• Write reports and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
• Work with commercial bin-picking systems.
• Assist in the development of demonstrations for trade shows andconferences.
• Assisting in performing market research for purchases requiredfor the laboratories.
• Using CAD software to design parts, end-of-arm tooling, andfixtures.
• Working with NIST and/or external resources to have partsfabricated.
• Recording knowledge and best practices to help improve efficiencyand productivity.
• Write reports and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
• Work schedule: On-campus (Gaithersburg, MD), Full-time(40hrs/week)

Qualifications

Not all the qualifications below are required.

• Education: Engineering majors with bachelor’s/master’s degree, orin final or penultimate years of bachelor’s/master’s degree.
• Experience with working on robotic systems such as robot arms,mobile manipulators, etc.
• Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks
• Experience using MATLAB and Python.
• Basic understanding of using PyTorch, TensorFlow
• Programming experience in one or more of the following computerlanguages: C++, Java
• Experience using 3D printers.
• Basic understanding of 3D sensors such as LiDAR or RGBDcameras
• Basic understanding of the Unix/Linux operating systems
• Working knowledge of 3D point cloud data processing techniques,CloudCompare, or other similar tools