Staff Scientist, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Assured Information Security (AIS) has an opening for a remote Staff Scientist. In this role you will focus on driving new research and development in advanced AI/ML to build a center of excellence around this discipline. The Staff Scientist will lead AI/ML research within AIS, representing the organization across customers and the broader research community.

AIS specializes in high-risk, high-reward research with a strong emphasis on early technology readiness levels (TRLs), primarily emphasizing fundamental research and early R&D across TRLs 1-4. Customer focus includes the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Army, as well as other emerging R&D-focused organizations. AIS performs fundamental research in areas that include reinforcement learning, transfer learning, explainability, computer vision, and natural language processing. In addition, AIS possesses expertise in applied AI/ML R&D across areas that include cyber operations, behavioral biometrics, modeling and simulation, cybersecurity, and audio exploitation.

The ideal candidate will be a recognized innovator in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning who will lead the expansion of a substantial R&D portfolio aligned with DoD and IC customer's needs. The candidate will advise fellow scientists, engineers, and support staff across multiple teams to secure innovative R&D projects, grow a technical team of talented experts, and pursue revolutionary results for high-risk, high-reward challenges. Additionally, the role will include strategic planning, publishing research, attending leading conferences, engaging with customers, supporting academic outreach, and mentoring junior staff.

A successful candidate will possess leading subject matter expertise in deep reinforcement learning, further benefitted by familiarity with one or more of the following: explainability, transfer learning, intelligent agents, adversarial learning, curriculum learning, policy optimization, lifelong learning, and semantic modeling. Additionally, a strong candidate would benefit from experience applying these techniques to modeling & simulation, cybersecurity, robotics, and/or other DoD-relevant areas. This position requires proficiency in written and oral communication, novel concept generation, and leadership of research teams.

Responsibilities Include:

• Developing innovative research concepts within AI/ML
• Designing solutions to customer AI/ML requirements
• Leading and participating in research projects within the AI/ML domain
• Leading technical aspects of proposal efforts
• Recommending and mentoring junior staff in AI/ML disciplines
• Publishing results of research in academic journals and presenting findings at conferences
• Collaborating with customers, stakeholders, sponsors, prime-contractors, and subcontractors

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to obtain/maintain a Top Secret security clearance
• Advanced degree in an artificial intelligence, machine learning, mathematics, or a related field
• Subject matter expert in reinforcement learning, transfer learning, explainability, or related areas of research
• Strong publication history in AI/ML
• Proven technical leadership skills
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills
• Relationships across the AI/ML academic community
• Experience with machine learning frameworks and tools

Desired Qualifications:

• Ph.D. level degree in an AI/ML related field or equivalent experience
• Experience working with DARPA and other DoD/IC customers
• Publications in leading AI/ML journals and conference proceedings
• Proposal development experience

EOE/AA Disability/Veteran