Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004815)

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University, in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) PREP program, seeks a mid-level engineer to operate a 6G wireless testbed and contribute to end-to-end system development using open-source platforms such as OCUDU. The role emphasizes testing, validation of 3GPP/ORAN specs, and dissemination of results through publications and presentations.

Responsibilities include deploying the testbed, developing CI/CD/CT scripts, conducting RF

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field with research background in wireless networks.
• Experience with network protocol analyzers, channel emulators, and SDRs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Deploy and maintain an end-to-end wireless testbed based on open-source software.
• Develop and deploy CI/CD/CT scripts for experiments.
• Conduct RF and networking experiments relevant to the project.
• Prepare high-quality research reports and presentations for stakeholders.
• Ensure results are disseminated through proper channels and publications.

Skills

Protocol analyzers

Channel emulators

Software-defined radios

Communication skills

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Git version control

Job description

PREP Research Associate

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.

Research Title

Computer Engineer / Electrical Engineer - 6G Network Research

Work will entail

NIST seeks a mid-level engineer to operate a testbed in support of NIST research on 6G communication. The successful candidate is expected to develop, test, and deploy end-to-end wireless systems based on open-source platforms such as OCUDU. The candidate is expected to develop and maintain test scripts to validate the system's compliance with 3GPP and ORAN specifications, as well as its stability and performance. The candidate will work with NIST researchers to identify specific features to test, conduct experiments, and demonstrate select use cases. The candidate is expected to convey the results of their work as an author of research publications and presentations to the networking industry and the research communities.

U.S. Citizen Preferred

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the deployment and maintenance of an end-to-end wireless testbed based on open-source software stack.
• Develop and deploy Continuous Integration/Continuous Development/Continuous Testing (CI/CD/CT) scripts.
• Conduct experiments to collect and process RF and networking measurements relevant to NIST's projects.
• Author high-quality research reports and presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure that software and documentation developed are publicly disseminated through proper NIST processes.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Research background in wireless networks that includes experience using network protocol analyzers, channel emulators, and software‑defined radios.
• 2 years of relevant experience with code development and git code management.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Additional Desirable Skills, Expertise and Qualifications

• US citizenship preferred.
• Experience developing and testing 5G/wireless testbeds with open-source software packages such as srsRAN, Open Air Interface (OAI), OCUDU, and/or DURANTA.
• Experience in authoring research publications and presentations documenting results of experiments, modeling, and analysis research.