Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0003596) Full-time

Assistant Research Scientist

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: Optimizing NIST AI enabled data discovery and accessibility

The work will entail: The researcher will participate in developing AI enabled tools which can enhance the user experience to search domain specific data. After initial understanding current Public data repository (PDR) system, APIs, metadata and data, researcher will determine the appropriate AI technology to be applied. Research will work with NIST staff to create AI embeddings which will enhance the search experiences by improving semantic and similarity searches. It can also be used to improve natural language processing and recommendations in our current system.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Learn and understand PDR system functionality
• Determine various AI techniques which we can use to improve search experience
• Perform systematic analysis of AI embeddings, MCP and RAGs application
• Incorporate optimized methods of new AI techniques in PDR system.
• Demonstrate search optimization and effectiveness of AI integration.
• Regular code updates, deliver code repo along with documentation.
• Attend regular meetings with NIST

Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• 2-3 years of relevant experience.
• Familiarity with DevOps and CICD pipelines.
• Ability to work with real-time event data at scale.
• Familiarity with multiple scripting languages.
• Ability to develop prototypes of tools.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.