Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0005239) - #Faculty

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

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University seeks a PREP Research Associate in Gaithersburg, MD, to support the NIST PREP collaboration. The role focuses on 3D vision systems, experiments, data analysis, and publication-ready reporting.

The candidate will program robotic arms, use metrology tools, and apply CAD and data-analysis software to generate results and demonstrations for conferences and trade shows.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments to realize several existing and novel test methods for 3D vision systems.
• Research the effects of various physical properties of an object and sensor settings on the test metrics.
• Program collaborative robot arms for conducting various automation tasks.
• Use metrology systems for establishing reference measurements.
• Use analysis software to interpret results and produce visualizations.
• Write reports and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
• Work with commercial bin-picking systems.
• Assist in the development of demonstrations for trade shows and conferences.
• Assisting in performing market research for purchases required for the laboratories.
• Using CAD software to design parts, end-of-arm tooling, and fixtures.
• Working with external resources to have parts fabricated.
• Recording knowledge and best practices to improve efficiency.

Skills

Robotic systems

CAD

MATLAB

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

C++

Java

3D printers

LiDAR

RGBD cameras

Unix/Linux

Point cloud processing

CloudCompare

Education

Engineering degree (Bachelor's or Master's)

Tools

SolidWorks

3D CAD skills

CloudCompare

3D sensing tools

Job description

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 want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.

Research Title: ROBOTICS AND PERCEPTION SYSTEMS ENGINEER

U.S. Citizen Preferred

Position Description: The Intelligent Systems Division at NIST is investigating the performance of 3D vision systems for various manufacturing and automation applications. The research will focus on conducting experiments and analyzing data to understand the performance of these systems. This will support the development of performance metrics for these systems for various industrial applications.

Duties:

• Conduct experiments to realize several existing and novel test methods for 3D vision systems.
• Research the effects of various physical properties of an object and sensor settings on the test metrics.
• Program collaborative robot arms for conducting various automation tasks.
• Use metrology systems (e.g., laser trackers, CMMs, etc.) for establishing reference measurements.
• Use analysis software (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Spatial Analyzer, Polyworks, Excel, etc.) to interpret results and produce visualizations.
• Write reports and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
• Work with commercial bin-picking systems.
• Assist in the development of demonstrations for trade shows and conferences.
• Assisting in performing market research for purchases required for the laboratories.
• Using CAD software to design parts, end-of-arm tooling, and fixtures.
• Working with NIST and/or external resources to have parts fabricated.
• Recording knowledge and best practices to help improve efficiency and productivity.
• Write reports and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.

Work schedule: On-campus (Gaithersburg, MD), Full-time (40hrs/week)

Not all the qualifications below are required.

• Education: Engineering majors with bachelor's/master's degree, or in 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 computer languages: C++, Java
• Experience using 3D printers.
• Basic understanding of 3D sensors such as LiDAR or RGBD cameras
• Basic understanding of Unix/Linux operating systems
• Working knowledge of 3D point cloud data processing techniques, CloudCompare, or other similar tools

Salary: $68,000 - $70,000

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 following additional vaccine requirements may apply, depending upon your campus. Please contact the hiring department for more 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.

Job Type: Full Time