Senior Research Scientist -Physicist - TS/SCI (FSP)

IBM

Bethesda (MD)

On-site

USD 172,000 - 321,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

IBM Consulting is seeking a Senior Research Scientist - Physicist with TS/SCI clearance to lead cognitive AI initiatives in Bethesda, MD. The role emphasizes foundation models, NLP, ML, and production deployment across cloud environments using Python and established AI frameworks.

The candidate will design AI architectures, collaborate with federal clients, and contribute to secure data handling in sensitive environments.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a technical field and 12+ years in science/research.
Experience in AI, NLP, ML and cognitive computing.
Ability to design, prototype and deploy AI solutions in production.

Responsibilities

Architect AI solutions focusing on foundation and large language models.
Develop cognitive computing systems for structured and unstructured data.
Collaborate on end-to-end AI projects across cloud platforms and databases.
Drive AI innovation and optimize systems with common ML libraries.

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, material science, physical sciences, chemical engineering, physics, or related technical field

Master’s degree

Tools

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Keras

Scikit-Learn

Pandas

Matplotlib

Github Copilot

Amazon Code Whisperer

Job description

A career in IBM Consulting is built on long-term client relationships and close collaboration worldwide. You’ll work with leading companies across industries, helping them shape their hybrid cloud and AI journeys. With support from our strategic partners, robust IBM technology, and Red Hat, you’ll have the tools to drive meaningful change and accelerate client impact. At IBM Consulting, curiosity fuels success. You’ll be encouraged to challenge the norm, explore new ideas, and create innovative solutions that deliver real results. Our culture of growth and empathy focuses on your long-term career development while valuing your unique skills and experiences.

Your role and responsibilities

As a seasoned Data Scientist specializing in Artificial Intelligence, you will leverage your expertise in combining data analysis and business acumen to tackle complex cognitive computing challenges. Your strong foundation in AI, NLP, and ML will enable you to deliver comprehensive cognitive solutions that effectively process and analyze both structured and unstructured data. Your primary responsibilities will include:

Architect AI Solutions: Design and deliver AI solutions using cutting-edge technologies, with a strong focus on foundation models and large language models, utilizing tools like Github Copilot and Amazon Code Whisperer.
Develop Cognitive Computing Systems: Create comprehensive cognitive solutions that effectively process and analyze both structured and unstructured data, leveraging expertise in NLP, ML, and AI frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Keras.
Collaborate on AI Projects: Work on full AI project lifecycle, from research and prototyping to deployment in production environments, utilizing cloud platforms, relational and NoSQL databases, and modern UI frameworks.
Drive AI Innovation: Pioneer innovative AI solutions, leveraging strong programming skills in Python and experience with AI frameworks, to solve complex business problems and drive cognitive computing advancements.
Optimize AI Systems: Guide the optimization of AI systems, ensuring effective usage of libraries such as SciKit Learn, Pandas, and Matplotlib, and familiarity with cloud platforms and related services.

Required education

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred education

Master's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

·TS/SCI clearance and full-scope polygraph required on Day 1

· Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, material science, physical sciences, chemical engineering, physics, or related technical field.

· 12+ years of experience in science and applied research in one of the above disciplines

· 4+ year experience in one of the following applied research areas:

Algorithms, architectures and technologies crucial for future computing systems and prototype development
Circuit and system fabrication techniques to enable system and component miniaturization
Critical open problems in quantum information science and technology and low-power solid state devices
Materials characterization of point defect systems that leverage quantum phenomena

· Demonstrated experience planning and conducting research, designing, developing and executing scientific studies

· Excellent communication, organization and presentation skills.

· Must be willing to work 5 days per week in SCIF in College Park, MD

Preferred technical and professional experience

· Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, material science, physical sciences, chemical engineering, physics, or related technical field.

· Experience authoring and publishing applied research papers, patent holder

· Experience supporting federal clients in defense, intelligence, or national security.

· Knowledge of classified data environments and secure data handling practices.

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Consulting is IBM’s consulting and global professional services business, with market leading capabilities in business and technology transformation. With deep expertise in many industries, we offer strategy, experience, technology, and operations services to many of the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Our people are focused on accelerating our clients’ businesses through the power of collaboration. We believe in the power of technology responsibly used to help people, partners and the planet.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being

- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long‑term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs

- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law

- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry‑recognized certifications to achieve their career goals

- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full‑time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job‑related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro‑rated for those who start working during the calendar year.

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