Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004155)

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

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University seeks a PREP Research Associate in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This role focuses on advancing AI measurement capabilities for biological systems. Responsibilities include software development and analysis using AI/ML, organizing stakeholder engagements, and leading novel research in synthetic biology. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in a related field and have relevant experience. The position supports collaboration with NIST and offers opportunities to contribute to innovative research in a diverse environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a related field is essential.
• 2 years of relevant experience required.
• Familiarity with multiple scripting languages is desired.
• Strong oral and written communication skills are needed.

Responsibilities

• Perform measurement analysis using AI and machine learning.
• Generate and maintain analysis software and documentation.
• Conduct analysis and support staff in conducting analysis.
• Advise Division and NIST management as a subject matter expert.
• Develop and apply infrastructure for data analysis.

Skills

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Measurement Analysis

Software Development

Documentation

Real-time Event Data Handling

Education

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

Tools

DevOps and CICD Pipelines

Scripting Languages

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, 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.

Research Title

AI Researcher: Engineering Biology

The work will entail

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 wetlab procedures, as well as development of 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.

US Citizen Preferred

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• 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

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 characteristic. 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 that are irrelevant to the program involved.

EEO is the Law

For more information, refer to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission resources.