Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004857)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University is seeking a PREP Research Associate specializing in the performance evaluation of AI capabilities in HRI systems. The role involves state-of-the-art measurement science research, employing techniques like deep learning and reinforcement learning to boost robotic applications.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. or equivalent experience, strong experimental skills, and effective communication skills. This full-time position is located at NIST in Gaithersburg, Maryland, for a duration of 1 year, with applications accepted until filled.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent experience in natural sciences, engineering, or related fields.
• Strong experimental skills and innovative thinking are essential.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Effective written and oral communication skills are required.
• Hands-on experience in micro-/nanofabrication or integrated photonics design is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Conduct measurement science research in robotics and AI systems.
• Utilize advanced machine learning techniques to improve robot capabilities.
• Develop verification methods and evaluation frameworks for AI systems.
• Collaborate with teams to design and optimize interdisciplinary systems.

Skills

Innovative thinking

Experimental skills

Effective communication

Ability to work independently

Collaborative skills

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent experience in natural sciences or engineering

Tools

Micro-/nanofabrication

Integrated photonics design

Numerical simulations

Job description

Overview

Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, is America’s first research university. This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) and will work in the Office of Research and Translation at the Whiting School of Engineering.

Position Title

PREP Research Associate – Performance Evaluation of AI Capabilities in Autonomous and Human‑Robot Interaction (HRI) Systems

Responsibilities

• Conduct state‑of‑the‑art measurement science research in robotics, advanced autonomy, and artificial intelligence systems.
• Utilize deep learning, large language models (LLMs), reinforcement learning, and unsupervised machine learning techniques to enhance robot capabilities, human objective prediction, and decision‑making architectures.
• Develop verification methods, transparent evaluation frameworks, and performance metrics to ensure robotic AI systems and automated sorting or ranking methodologies are inspectable and risk‑aware.
• Implement advanced filtering techniques and symbolic spatial‑relation models to optimize tracking, navigation, and behavioral classification in highly dynamic environments.
• Program, simulate, and validate physical and simulated autonomous systems using modern software, libraries, and probabilistic frameworks.
• Help develop standards, benchmark scenarios, and performance metrics for human‑robot interaction (HRI), autonomous systems, and cooperative robotics integrated into complex environments.
• Develop test apparatuses, digital twins, and virtual/physical testbeds using 3D rendering, CAD, and sensor‑fusion tools to validate repeatability and reproducibility.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to design and optimize systems while publishing peer‑reviewed research results in high‑impact journals and international conferences.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent experience in natural sciences, engineering, or related fields.
• Innovative thinking and strong experimental skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Prior hands‑on experience in one or more of the following areas: micro‑/nanofabrication, integrated photonics design and characterization, PIC design, numerical simulations, or device‑level metrology.

Preferred Requirements

• U.S. citizenship preferred.
• Full‑time (40 hours per week).
  Location: NIST Gaithersburg, Maryland.
  Duration: 1‑year appointment, with possible extension.
  Applications accepted until filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Johns Hopkins University is an equal opportunity employer and 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.

Contact

Dr. Nikolai N. Klimov – [e-mail]