Cyber Researcher: Innovate in Defense Cyber Capabilities

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks researchers to push the boundaries of cyber defense. You will join APL’s Capabilities Development Group (QCC) to develop novel tools with multidisciplinary teams of cyber and software engineers, leveraging threat intelligence and cutting‑edge trends to support mission resilience.

You will work with sponsors and end users to understand operational needs, build capable cyber solutions, and explore new research areas applicable to today’s

Qualifications

• PhD in CS, engineering, mathematics or cybersecurity.
• Internship/research experience developing software in Java/Kotlin, Python, C#, Rust, Go, JavaScript/TypeScript, C/C++, Rust, Golang, or equivalent.
• Experience developing concepts, systems, or analytics with understanding of systems engineering or operational planning.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and teamwork ability.
• Ability to obtain Interim Secret clearance by start date and potential Top Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Explore cutting‑edge techniques for developing cyber capabilities.
• Develop novel approaches to critical cybersecurity challenges in operational environments.
• Collaborate with sponsors and end users to understand operational needs and define requirements.
• Build mission‑aligned capabilities for defense and intelligence contexts.
• Explore new research areas and apply ideas to current problems.
• Integrate open source or commercial capabilities to enhance cyber capability.
• Share approaches with team members, management, and government decision makers.

Skills

Java/Kotlin

Python

C/C++

Go

JavaScript/TypeScript

Rust

Systems thinking

Clear communication

Education

PhD in computer science, engineering, mathematics or cybersecurity

Tools

React

Vue.js

HTML5

CSS3

JSON/XML

RESTful services

SQL/NoSQL

Job description

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks researchers to push the boundaries of cyber defense. You will join APL’s Capabilities Development Group (QCC) to develop novel tools with multidisciplinary teams of cyber and software engineers, leveraging threat intelligence and cutting‑edge trends to support mission resilience.

You will work with sponsors and end users to understand operational needs, build capable cyber solutions, and explore new research areas applicable to today’s