Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Computational Soft Matter Modeler

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab$105K — $290K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in a relevant field (Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, etc.) with practical application experience.
  • 3+ years of experience with physics-based macromolecule simulations.
  • Strong independent and collaborative work skills in multidisciplinary teams.
  • Proficient in communicating with experimental professionals.
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects effectively.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication capabilities.
  • Willingness to travel occasionally for project meetings and tests.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement models of macromolecules to examine structure-function relationships.
  • Conduct analyses of macromolecular characteristics across various physical phenomena.
  • Utilize advanced modeling methods such as molecular dynamics and machine learning.
  • Collaborate daily with analysts, scientists, and engineers.
  • Propose and outline future research projects or initiatives.
  • Prepare and deliver reports and presentations to stakeholders.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on government-supported projects with substantial real-world impact.
  • Collaborative environment with access to multidisciplinary expertise.
  • Potential for professional growth and development in cutting-edge research areas.
  • Exposure to advanced modeling techniques and tools in computational science.
  • Travel opportunities for project sites and meetings.
Full Job Description
Description

We are seeking a Computational Soft Matter Modeler to help model key physical processes in complex systems involving soft materials, including polymers and biopolymers, to solve impactful challenges. As a member of our team, you will contribute to exciting projects supporting the US Department of Defense and other government agencies. Our team strives to develop, apply, and maintain deep expertise in multiscale modeling techniques that give insight across key length and time scales. You will work alongside analysts, laboratory scientists, and engineers who have a passion for applying our modeling results to physical systems that advance the state of the art and have real-world impact.

As a Computational Soft Matter Researcher, you will:
  • Develop and use models of macromolecules to determine relationships between structure and function across a variety of length and time scales, from enzymatic activity and chemical reactivity, to large-scale mechanical properties and flow.
  • Perform and develop analyses spanning a broad range of macromolecular characteristics including structural, thermodynamic, chemical, and electromagnetic phenomena.
  • Leverage modeling methods including classical molecular dynamics, computational chemistry, coarse graining, enhanced sampling, statistics, and machine learning.
  • Actively collaborate with analysts, scientists, and engineers on a day-to-day basis.
  • Propose future projects and initiatives.
  • Craft reports and give presentations to communicate results to team members and government partners.

We're looking for talented and versatile computational researchers who are excited to expand their analytical toolbox. If you have experience in any of the methods or tools above, and are motivated to learn even more, we want to talk to you.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you have:
  • A Ph.D. in Biochemical, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or equivalent with demonstrated application of knowledge to answer complex questions.
  • 3+ years of experience in performing physics-based simulations of macromolecules, such as quantum-chemistry calculations, classical molecular dynamics or coarse-grained molecular models.
  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently with minimal guidance, and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with experimental colleagues.
  • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Willingness and ability to travel occasionally to attend meetings or tests at other government and contractor sites.
  • Ability to work in closed area facilities.
  • Are able to obtain a 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.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have:
  • Experience developing models of macromolecules that convey information across simulations at different length/time scales or physics.
  • Experience modeling macromolecules and their environmental interactions for specific applications in sensing, biomanufacturing, or medical countermeasures.
  • Expertise in developing and/or applying machine learning models for accelerated simulation, screening, or design of macromolecules.
  • Scientific/engineering programming experience, with the ability to work in multiple languages (MATLAB, C/C++, Python, FORTRAN, ...) and algorithms commonly used in computational science and engineering.
  • Experience using hardware accelerators (e.g. GPUs) and familiarity with parallel programming techniques (MPI/OpenMP).
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute to team-based software development.
  • A track record of concurrently contributing impactful technical work to multiple efforts.
  • Experience collaborating closely with experimental colleagues to develop novel approaches or technical solutions.

Minimum Rate

$105,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$290,000 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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