Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

2027 PhD Graduate -Robotics Researcher

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab$105K — $245K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Robotics, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field.
  • Experience in robotics or AI applications, computer science, mechanical or electrical engineering.
  • Ability to obtain a DoD Secret-level security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
  • Experience with developing and demonstrating robotic control algorithms (preferred).
  • Proficiency in programming languages and robotics frameworks (e.g., ROS2, Python, C++).

Responsibilities

  • Define and develop novel robotic concepts and systems.
  • Create algorithmic solutions for robotic challenges.
  • Implement control algorithms and AI techniques for robotic systems.
  • Design and fabricate innovative robotic hardware.
  • Lead research teams and collaborate on projects.
  • Publish research findings and present to scientific and governmental audiences.
  • Propose and develop independent research ideas.

Benefits

  • Collaborative environment focused on varied backgrounds.
  • Opportunity to work on groundbreaking robotics research.
  • Access to advanced resources for research and development.
  • Potential for leadership roles in research initiatives.
Full Job Description
If you are graduating with a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or Mathematics, wed love to have you join our team! The Robotics Group in the Research and Exploratory Development Department is an interdisciplinary team of researchers and engineers that is inventing the future across the broad spectrum of robotics, with applications that strengthen national defense, advance space exploration, improve healthcare, and address critical challenges facing the nation. You can learn more about our current research at www.jhuapl.edu/isc.

We are seeking a highly skilled, highly motivated scientists and engineers to join us in taking intelligent robotic systems from concept to reality. We are a multidisciplinary team focused on groundbreaking impacts in the areas of robotics control, embodied agentic AI, multi-agent collaboration, robotic perception, human-robot teaming, and novel robot design. Our team is committed to excellence in research that has real-world impact. Successful members of our team tend to be creative problem solvers who are comfortable working at the edge of their comfort zone. We strive to foster an environment that welcomes a variety of backgrounds and professional experience as we aim to solve the hardest problems in robotics.

As a member of our team, your primary responsibility will be defining and developing novel robotic concepts, systems, and algorithmic solutions to address relevant challenges. Current research areas include generative AI for robotic applications, advanced robotic control, robot perception & reasoning, novel robotic systems, human-robot teaming, multi-agent coordination, and safe/assured autonomy. Depending on your expertise, you will develop and implement control algorithms and AI techniques; invent new approaches to robot control, reasoning, and perception; design and fabricate robotic systems; and lead research teams. You will have the opportunity to publish your work and present the results to the scientific community, external collaborators, and/or government sponsors. You will also have the opportunity to propose and work on your own research ideas.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a Ph.D. in a relevant field such as Robotics, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field.
  • Have experience in robotics or robotics applications of AI, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or mathematics.
  • Are able to obtain a DoD Secret-level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Youll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Have experience developing, simulating, and demonstrating algorithms for control of robotic systems.
  • Have experience developing AI/ML software that integrates with hardware such as robotic platforms, sensors, or mechanical devices.
  • Have experience designing, fabricating, and integrating robotics hardware.
  • Are skilled in one or more programming languages and robotics frameworks, particularly ROS2, Python and C++.

Minimum Rate

$105,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$245,000 Annually

About Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is a research and development organization that provides solutions to national security and scientific challenges. The laboratory was founded in 1942 and is located in Laurel, Maryland. APL is a division of the Johns Hopkins University and is a not-for-profit organization. The laboratory has expertise in a variety of areas, including space exploration, national security, and healthcare.
Learn more about Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
Size
7,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1942

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