Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0004898

General Description

Salary: $50,000-$100,000 a year

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). The PREP program provides valuable research and laboratory experience, as well as financial support, to researchers at various stages of their academic and professional careers. Individuals in this position will perform technical work that advances scientific research and measurement science across multiple disciplines.

Research Associate - Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scientist for Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure

The Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scientist for Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure will serve as a technical expert in the design, development, evaluation, and deployment of trustworthy AI technologies to enhance the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure systems. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research initiatives and support the transition of innovative AI-enabled cybersecurity solutions from the laboratory to operational environments.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Design, develop, and deploy applied AI solutions focused on strengthening cybersecurity capabilities for critical infrastructure environments.
• Integrate AI technologies into cybersecurity workflows, tools, and operational processes.

• Conduct advanced research and technical analyses to develop and evaluate trustworthy AI approaches for cybersecurity applications.
• Develop methodologies and frameworks that ensure AI systems are robust, secure, explainable, and resilient to adversarial threats.

• Collaborate with researchers and technical experts across NIST and external partner organizations to advance AI-enabled cybersecurity research.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and assess their applicability to critical infrastructure cybersecurity challenges.

• Support the transition of research outcomes into scalable, operational solutions for U.S. industry partners and critical infrastructure stakeholders.
• Contribute to pilot implementations, technology demonstrations, and industry engagement activities that promote adoption of research-based solutions.

• Experience conducting research and measurement science in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or related fields to address challenges in critical and emerging technology areas, including cybersecurity.
• Experience developing, evaluating, or implementing AI-related guidelines, frameworks, standards, or pilot projects.
• Demonstrated ability to transition research outcomes into practical applications that deliver measurable impact to industry or government stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF) and related AI guidance documents.
• Strong analytical, technical, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary research environments.

Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)

Purpose:

The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.

NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.

Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.

The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximum salaries for this position and is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary and will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, internal equity, market conditions, education/training and other factors, as reasonably determined by the University.

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