2026 PhD Graduate - Cyber Researcher - Capabilities Development

Cybersecurity Research Scientist

Are you passionate about research, discovery, and exploring better ways to do things?

Do you want the chance to push the boundaries of cyber defense?

Are you excited about working with others to solve some of the nation's toughest cyber challenges?

If so, we want you to join our team at APL's Capabilities Development Group (QCC)!

We work as a multi-disciplinary team of systems, cybersecurity, and software engineers, who enable mission resilience by developing novel tools. We leverage the latest threat intelligence along with cutting-edge cybersecurity trends, techniques and technologies to achieve an operational advantage for our sponsors.

As a member of our team you will...

• Explore cutting-edge techniques for developing cyber capabilities
• Develop novel approaches to solving critical cybersecurity challenges in operational environments
• Work with sponsors and end users in defense or intelligence organizations to understand their operational needs and identify requirements.
• Build mission-aligned capabilities
• Explore promising new research areas and seek ways to apply ideas to today's problems
• Integrate and extend open source or commercial capabilities to enhance cyber capability
• Share approaches and methods with others team members, APL management, and government decision makers

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications if you...

• Have a PhD degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics or cybersecurity-related field
• Have previous internship, research, or personal project experience developing software using Java/Kotlin, Python, C#, Rust, Go, JavaScript/TypeScript, C/C++, Rust, Golang, or equivalent
• Have previous internship, research, or personal project experience developing concepts, systems, or analytics, with an understanding of systems engineering or operational planning
• Have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent interpersonal skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills, good organizational skills, and the ability to work in teams
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret Clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret security clearance. If selected, you will be subjected to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information up to the Top Secret level. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have experience using web application frameworks and related knowledge base such as React, Vue.js, HTML5, CSS3, JSON/XML, jQuery, D3, SVG, RESTful web services, or (No)SQL.
• Can apply software development skills to different domains and subject matters.
• Have knowledge of AI/ML, Agentic AI, and/or AI-enabled cyber methodologies.
• Have experience in DevSecOps, and/or network security and systems integration
• Have experience with Department of Defense and/or Intelligence Community cyber operations/mission forces
• Have experience in conducting research, development, and testing of cyber capabilities
• Have experience in the development of related documents that define processes, solutions, requirements, and specifications for government agencies (military, federal departments/agencies, state, and local) and public organizations to collaborate and achieve greater cybersecurity
• Hold an active Secret or Top Secret security clearance and can ultimately obtain TS/SCI level clearance.