PhD Cyber Researcher: Defense-Focused R&D

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory; 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 by developing capabilities and solving critical challenges in partnership with sponsors and end users in defense or intelligence contexts.

You will explore new research areas, extend open source or commercial capabilities, and share methods with team members and decision makers while building mission-aligned cyber solutions.

Qualifications

• Have a PhD degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics or cybersecurity-related field.
• Have previous internship, research, or personal project experience developing software using Java/Kotlin, Python, C#, Rust, Go, JavaScript/TypeScript, C/C++, Rust, Golang, or equivalent.
• Have previous internship, research, or personal project experience developing concepts, systems, or analytics, with an understanding of systems engineering or operational planning.
• Have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent interpersonal skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills, good organizational skills, and the ability to work in teams.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret Clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret security clearance. If selected, you will be subjected to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information up to the Top Secret level. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Explore cutting-edge techniques for developing cyber capabilities.
• Develop novel approaches to solving critical cybersecurity challenges in operational environments.
• Work with sponsors and end users in defense or intelligence organizations to understand their operational needs and identify requirements.
• Build mission-aligned capabilities.
• Explore promising new research areas and seek ways to apply ideas to today’s problems.
• Integrate and extend open source or commercial capabilities to enhance cyber capability.
• Share approaches and methods with others team members, APL management, and government decision makers.

Skills

Java/Kotlin

Python

C#

Rust

Go

JavaScript/TypeScript

C/C++

AI/ML

DevSecOps

Cyber operations

Education

PhD in CS/Engineering/Math/Cybersecurity

Tools

React

Vue.js

HTML5

CSS3

JSON/XML

jQuery

D3

SVG

RESTful APIs

NoSQL

Job description

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks researchers to push the boundaries of cyber defense by developing capabilities and solving critical challenges in partnership with sponsors and end users in defense or intelligence contexts.

You will explore new research areas, extend open source or commercial capabilities, and share methods with team members and decision makers while building mission-aligned cyber solutions.