Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004155)

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University seeks a PREP Research Associate for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This role involves utilizing AI and machine learning to enhance measurement capabilities in biological systems. Candidates should possess a relevant Ph.D. and have at least 2 years of experience.

The position includes developing automation workflows and supporting biosecurity efforts while contributing as a subject-matter expert. It offers a significant opportunity to impact synthetic biology through innovative research.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• 2 years of relevant experience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform measurement analysis using artificial intelligence and/or machine learning.
• Generate and maintain analysis software, along with documentation.
• Support sequence-to-function research for protein engineering.

Skills

Artificial Intelligence

Machine Learning

Data Analysis

Scripting Languages

Communication Skills

Education

Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

DevOps

CICD pipelines

Job description

PREP Research Associate

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (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, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient 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.
U.S. Citizen Preferred.

Research Title

AI Researcher: Engineering Biology

Work Summary

Plan and conduct research to advance measurement capabilities to aid in the predictive engineering of biological systems, such as proteins, as part of the NIST Engineering Biology Program. Develop artificial intelligence and machine learning analysis pipelines to support automation and protocol development for wet‑lab procedures, as well as platforms for new quantitative measurements and validated methods for evaluating the functional performance of engineered biological parts and systems. Develop automation workflows for bottleneck processes in biosecurity screening and synthetic biology. Support NIST’s mission through service as a subject‑matter expert in the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to measurement innovation in synthetic biology. Engage stakeholders and identify opportunities for standards development.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform measurement analysis using artificial intelligence and/or machine learning
• Generate and maintain analysis software, along with documentation
• Conduct analysis and assist staff in conducting analysis
• Maintain and administer hardware solutions for project and group compute tasks
• Advise Division and NIST management as a subject matter expert
• Organize, conduct, and attend relevant meetings, and provide written summaries or other documentation to NIST management and stakeholders
• Obtain and provide relevant information to inform NIST management and stakeholders
• Maintain deep technical knowledge of advances in the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to measurement challenges in synthetic biology, such as those relevant to biosafety and biosecurity
• Demonstrate attention to detail
• Execute novel technical research
• Support sequence‑to‑function research for protein engineering
• Develop and apply infrastructure for data analysis
• Establish and document standard operating procedures for analysis pipelines

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field
• 2 years of relevant experience
• Familiarity with DevOps and CICD pipelines
• Ability to work with real‑time event data at scale
• Familiarity with multiple scripting languages
• Ability to develop prototypes of tools needed to analyze data
• Strong oral and written communication skills

Equal Opportunity Employer

This organization 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. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.