Assistant Research Scientist

Assistant Research Scientist (PREP

Requisition #: A

Status: Part Time

Type: Faculty

School: Whiting School of Engineering

Department/Program: Commercial and Government Programs Office

Salary: $25-$35 an hour

Location City: Gaithersburg

Location State: MD

Location Zip Code: 20899

Closing Date: Open until filled

To apply:

General Description

PREP Research Associate

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.

Research Title:

Human-Centered Cybersecurity Research and Community Standards Development

The work will entail:

In direct support of NIST's mission to advance measurement science and standards, the PREP student will work on Human-Centered Cybersecurity (HCC) projects. Human-centered cybersecurity is an approach that puts people at the forefront when designing and implementing cybersecurity systems, products, and processes by considering human needs, motivations, behaviors, and abilities. Under the guidance of a NIST sponsor, the student will contribute to a project to develop a standard description of human-centered-cybersecurity. In addition, the student will help develop guidance, mapped to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0, on how to apply HCC concepts within organizations. The work will include data collection and analysis for a research study aimed at understanding current perceptions of human-centered cybersecurity among various groups of cybersecurity stakeholders. The student will also assist NIST staff with mapping HCC concepts to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework by searching for and summarizing applicable human factors frameworks, organizing and synthesizing public comments, and writing guidance. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to community standards for human-centered cybersecurity that may be used around the world.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Conducting qualitative and quantitative survey or interview data collection and analysis

• Performing searches and syntheses of research literature and industry reports related to the human element of cybersecurity

• Assisting in the organization and agenda development of public workshops

• Organizing, synthesizing, and helping to adjudicate public comments/feedback

• Writing/preparing reports, research papers, and presentations

• Presenting results at internal and external meetings

Qualifications

§ In-progress graduate degree (Master's or PhD) in social science, human-computer interaction, human factors, computer science, cybersecurity or other field related to human-centered cybersecurity

§ Competency in quantitative or qualitative research methods and data analysis

§ Experience with and working knowledge of cybersecurity is desirable but not required

§ Ability to work both in teams and independently

§ Strong organizational skills

§ Strong oral and written communication skills

Application Instructions

Please upload the following with your application:

• CV/Resume

• Please limit C.V to 3 pages only and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. Please DO NOT include telephone numbers, home address or photos on your 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.

PREP is 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 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.

To apply for this position, visit:

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 characteristic. 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 that are irrelevant to the program involved.

Pre-Employment Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The 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 For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit

Background Checks

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check including education verification.

EEO is the Law:

Diversity and Inclusion

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Vaccine Requirements

Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. 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. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit and all other JHU applicants should visit

The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly. 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 employees 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.