Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0004936

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). 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.

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.

The Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scientist for Manufacturing will serve as a technical expert in the design, development, evaluation, and deployment of trustworthy AI technologies to advance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, productivity, and quality. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research initiatives and support the transition of innovative AI-enabled manufacturing solutions from the laboratory to operational manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Design, develop, and deploy applied AI solutions focused on addressing key manufacturing challenges, including process optimization, quality assurance, predictive maintenance, digital engineering, and production planning.
• Integrate AI technologies into manufacturing systems, workflows, and operational processes to improve performance, efficiency, and decision-making.

• Conduct advanced research and technical analyses to develop and evaluate trustworthy AI approaches for manufacturing applications.
• Contribute to measurement science research supporting the evaluation, validation, and assurance of AI-enabled manufacturing systems.

• Collaborate with researchers and technical experts across NIST, academia, industry, and external partner organizations to advance AI-enabled manufacturing research.
• Support the development of technical guidance, best practices, and standards-related activities related to AI in manufacturing.

• Support the transition of research outcomes into scalable, operational solutions for U.S. manufacturers and manufacturing technology stakeholders.

Contribute to pilot implementations, technology demonstrations, and industry engagement activities that promote the adoption of AI-enabled manufacturing solutions

• Experience conducting research and measurement science in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, or related fields to address challenges in manufacturing, industrial systems, or other critical and emerging technology areas.
• Experience developing, evaluating, or implementing AI-related methodologies, frameworks, standards, benchmarks, 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), trustworthy AI principles, and related AI guidance documents.
• Strong analytical, technical, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary research environments.

Privacy Act Statement

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…