2026 PhD Graduate - Cyber Resilience of Military Systems

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position involves purposeful research into the cyber resilience of military platforms and systems to support state-of-the-art capability development. The team collaborates with industry, academia, and government to study, design, develop, implement, and test cyber capabilities for air, afloat, ground, and undersea military and/or tactical platforms and systems. The role will enhance the architecture and design of various military systems to improve resilience against cyber attacks in adverse cyber environments. It also includes analyzing systems to identify security vulnerabilities and their impact on missions, and collaborating on the design of robust solutions for the acquisition, operation, and sustainment of military systems. Researchers can utilize internal funding for future research direction and are expected to disseminate knowledge through papers and presentations to technical staff, management, and government decision-makers.

Requirements

PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical area.
Educational background or specialization interest in at least one of the following categories: Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Python, Java, Golang, Rust, C, or C++.
Proven experience in software development, testing, and deployment, preferably in a cybersecurity context.
Experience writing, analyzing, performing gap analysis, or validating requirements in accordance with INCOSE or IEEE/ISO standards.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and on a team.
Proven demonstration as a critical thinker, developing solutions to complex problems.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to occasionally travel (up to 10%) and work as required in classified areas.
Able to acquire an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI+poly level clearance.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing solutions that inhibit or mitigate operational impact from cyber attack given constraints of funding, operations, performance and/or organization.
Experience applying data science, mathematical modeling, and/or machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to solve cyber problems.
Experience with computer networks and network analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, Suite).
Engineering experience in the area of model-based systems engineering (MBSE).
Experience using tools such as Cameo or other industry standards for developing complex systems-of-systems models.
Hands-on experience planning, developing, and using simulation capabilities and advanced analytics for analyzing complex problems.
Experience with virtual machines, virtual networking, and/or hypervisor configuration/management (e.g., ESXi, Hyper-V).
Prior interactions with the DoD and IC communities.
Hold an active DoD Top Secret or TS/SCI Clearance.

Responsibilities

Enhance the architecture and design of ships, subs, aircraft, autonomous military systems, and weapons to enhance resilience to cyber attack in the presence of an adverse cyber environment.
Join forces with team members in the analysis of systems to identify and understand security vulnerabilities and their impact on missions.
Collaborate with team members in the definition and design of robust and resilient solutions for the acquisitions, operations and sustainment of military and tactical systems in the presence of adverse cyber environments.
Use internal funding opportunities to craft the direction of future research.
Circulate knowledge by articulating ideas clearly through papers and presentations to technical staff, management, and government decision makers.