Assistant Research Scientist

PREP Research Associate 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 want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research. Research Title: Computer Scientist ZP-II/NIST GenAI program The work will entail: This position involves providing development support for various activities in the Information Access Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Specifically, the work will support NIST GenAI evaluation series ( The candidate will contribute to the development of AI evaluations that support evaluation series in various modalities (such as text, voice, image, video, and code) under the NIST GenAI program. This role includes contributing to implementation of an evaluation infrastructure, designing a database schema, and performing related evaluation tasks. The candidate will also provide technical expertise in activities related to deepfakes (image, audio, and video), which include creating a project plan, developing and distributing specialized tools, generating evaluation data, and conducting evaluation series. Additionally, they will contribute to reports that align with the program's objectives. The candidate will actively participate in NIST measurement science and engage in cutting-edge research and evaluation in the field of Generative AI technologies. U.S. citizen preferred Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to: Installing, developing and deploying software for executing AI and ML based systems, with a large dataset on a GPU-accelerated cluster Conducting image/audio/video evaluation series in advancing generative AI technologies Conducting experimental design and dataset curation Developing baseline algorithms in generative AI Upgrading, maintaining, and continuously developing existing NIST GenAI software and evaluation infrastructure Managing data, such as querying and translating data formats/specifications Designing and deploying agentic AI evaluation metrics and frameworks to assess agent performance, dynamic planning, tool use accuracy, and error recovery behaviors in complex multi-step workflows as well as multi-agent systems Developing standardized baseline agent architectures to serve as control benchmarks within the NIST GenAI framework Qualifications Strong proficiency in a mainstream programming language used in scientific and networking domains such as Python, Java, Java Script, ruby, R, C, C++ or Rust. Basic proficiency with networking technologies and REST based applications Proficiency in shell scripting (Bash, Zsh, etc.) Basic proficiency with virtualization and cloud technology stacks (f.e. docker, compose, kubernetes, AWS) Computer Vision and Signal Processing fundamentals (f.e. audio preprocessing, morphological filters) Scientific Data Visualization and Analysis fundamentals Practical experience with agentic design patterns and modern orchestration frameworks Familiarity with structured output enforcement (JSON Schema), dynamic tool interfaces, and emerging interoperability standards (e.g., Model Context Protocol / MCP) Familiarity with agentic evaluation frameworks and benchmarks for autonomous performance Mastery of the principles, practices, methods in a specialty of a technical professional field (in science, computer science, software engineering, information technology, mathematics, or related field) Application Instructions Please upload the following with your application: CV/Resume Self portraits Phone number Home address/Country Citizenship status Languages spoken Sex/Gender *Please limit C.V to 3 pages only and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. Your resume will not be considered if the following information is included on your CV/resume. 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 (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. PREPis a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate the administrative functions of the PREP Program. Routine Uses: 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. Disclosure: 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. Salary Range 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. Total Rewards Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: Equal Opportunity Employer The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity for its faculty, staff, and students. To that end, the university does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics. The university 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 that are irrelevant to the program involved. Pre-Employment Information If you are interested in applying for employment with Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at View email address on click.appcast.io. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations at Johns Hopkins University for disabilities, medical conditions (including medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), accessibility, or religious reasons, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu. Background Checks After receiving a conditional offer, the successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check including education verification. When deciding whether a candidate's conviction history is job‑disqualifying, the University considers the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job being sought. EEO is the Law Vaccine Requirements Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the seasonal flu vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine (for SOM) requirement(s) may be provided to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs or medical conditions that preclude them from receiving the vaccine. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit and all other JHU applicants should visit The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those candidates who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office. #J-18808-Ljbffr Johns Hopkins University