Senior Artificial Intelligence Researcher

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Senior Artificial Intelligence Researcher to advance state-of-the-art AI within the Data Science & Artificial Intelligence Department. You will lead original research in machine learning, deep learning, and related fields, tackling high-impact challenges in national security, space exploration, and health. In APL's collaborative, mission-driven, and ethically grounded culture, you will design novel algorithms, publish in top venues, mentor researchers, and transition innovations into real-world systems, while benefiting from strong support for innovation, advanced study, and professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead original AI/ML research from problem framing through experimentation and transition to mission applications.
• Design, implement, and evaluate novel models and algorithms for national security, space, and health domains.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to translate research advances into deployable systems.
• Publish results in top venues and present findings to sponsors and technical stakeholders.
• Mentor junior researchers and data scientists, fostering a culture of curiosity and ethical research.
• Shape research roadmaps and contribute to proposals and strategic initiatives aligned with APL's mission.

Required Skills

• Deep learning (e.g., transformers, CNNs, RNNs)
• Machine learning theory and algorithms
• Reinforcement learning or probabilistic modeling
• Python and ML frameworks (Py
• Torch, Tensor
• Flow, JAX)
• Large-scale data processing (SQL, Spark, distributed computing)
• MLOps and experiment management tools
• Optimization and statistical inference
• Scientific computing and numerical methods
• Technical writing and publication of research
• Proposal writing and research program development