Associate Research Scientist (PREP0004211) - #Faculty

Johns Hopkins University; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 68,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University is seeking a PREP Research Associate in Gaithersburg, MD, housed in the NIST PREP program. The role involves integrating robot arms and bin-picking systems, programming robots, and collecting 3D-imaging data for analysis. Strong CAD, Linux, and MATLAB skills are required.

The position is on-campus, full-time, with training provided. It targets engineering graduates in good standing and US citizens preferred, with salary in the stated range.

Qualifications

• Engineering majors with a master's degree, or in their final year of a master's degree.
• Programming experience in Python, Java, C#.
• Experience with ROS2 for visualization and control of robots.
• CAD experience with SolidWorks or OnShape.
• Linux environment proficiency; MATLAB for data capture/analysis.

Responsibilities

• Integrate robot arms and bin-picking systems into the NIST/ISD testbed.
• Program collaborative robot arms for experiments.
• Collect data from 3D imaging systems and analyze results.
• Develop 3D printed artifacts and optimize print parameters.
• Write reports and contribute to publications.

Skills

Python

Java

C#

Education

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

ROS2

SolidWorks

OnShape

Linux

MATLAB

3D Printers

Job description

PREP Research Associate

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and thus requires that such institutions be the recipients 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. A candidate hired for this position will be through the university that is associated with the NIST PREP program and will be an employee of that University. For example, see Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) | Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) (umd.edu)

Research Title: Robotics and Perception Engineer: Perception Performance of Robotic Systems

The Intelligent Systems Division at NIST is investigating the performance of 3D machine vision systems for various manufacturing applications. The research will focus on integrating 3D bin-picking vision systems with robotic arms and conducting experiments to evaluate their performance. This work will support the development of new metrics and standards for these systems.

Duties:

• Integrate robot arms and commercial bin-picking systems into the NIST/ISD bin-picking testbed.
• Program collaborative robot arms for conducting various tasks and experiments.
• Research the effects of various factors (part color, part surface properties, bin color, bin depth, ratio of part size to bin size, part distribution in a bin) on bin picking performance (e.g., cycle time, pose uncertainty, etc.).
• Collect data from various 3D imaging systems.
• Design and develop 3D printed artifacts and optimize 3D printer parameters for improved quality of the 3D prints.
• 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.
• Assist in the development of demonstrations for trade shows and conferences.
• Write reports and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
• Work schedule: On-campus (Gaithersburg, MD), Full-time (40hrs/week)
• The applicant selected for this position will receive minimal training in the use of certain systems needed for the work.
• US Citizen preferred
• Education: Engineering majors with a master's degree, or in their final year of a master's degree.
• Programming experience in one or more of the following computer languages: Python, Java, C#
• Experience with the following:
  • Using the Robot Operating System (ROS2) for visualizing and controlling robots .
  • CAD software : SolidWorks or OnShap e.
  • Using 3D printers (polymer and resin based) and optimizing 3D printing parameters.
  • Using and programming in the Linux environment.
  • Using MATLAB for data capture and analysis.
• Basic understanding of
  • Robot control theory (DH parameters, kinematics, etc.)
  • 3D sensors such as LiDAR or RGBD cameras
• Salary: $68,000 - $75,000

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