Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004857)

PREP Research Associate

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and therefore requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaborations scientific research.

Research Title:

Performance Evaluation of AI Capabilities in Autonomous and Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) Systems

The work will entail:

To support the National Institute of Standards and Technologys Measurement Science for Manufacturing Robotics and Autonomous Systems (MSRAS) Program. The focus of this role is to advance standard test methods metrics and evaluation tools for artificial intelligence machine learning and advanced autonomy within human-robot environments ensuring these systems operate with transparent verifiable and securely integrated decision-making frameworks.

U.S. Citizen Preferred

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Conducting state-of-the-art measurement science research in robotics advanced autonomy and artificial intelligence systems.
• Utilizing deep learning large language models (LLMs) reinforcement learning and unsupervised machine learning techniques to enhance robot capabilities human objective prediction and decision-making architectures.
• Developing verification methods transparent evaluation frameworks and performance metrics to ensure robotic AI systems and automated sorting or ranking methodologies are inspectable and risk-aware.
• Implementing advanced filtering techniques and symbolic spatial relation models to optimize tracking navigation and behavioral classification in highly dynamic environments.
• Programming simulating and validating physical and simulated autonomous systems using a variety of modern software libraries and probabilistic frameworks.
• Helping develop standards benchmark scenarios and performance metrics for human-robot interaction (HRI) autonomous systems and cooperative robotics integrated into complex environments.
• Developing test apparatuses digital twins and virtual/physical testbeds using 3D rendering CAD and sensor fusion tools to validate repeatability and reproducibility.
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to design and optimize systems while publishing peer-reviewed research results in high-impact journals and international conferences.

Ph.D. or equivalent experience in natural sciences engineering or related fields

Innovative thinking and strong experimental skills

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Effective written and oral communication skills

Prior hands-on experience in one or more of the following areas:

o Micro-/nanofabrication

o Integrated photonics design and characterization

Applicants with strengths in PIC design numerical simulations or device-level metrology are encouraged to apply.

OTHER DETAILS

U.S. citizenship is strongly preferred

Full-time (40 hours/week)

Location: NIST Gaithersburg Maryland

Duration: 1-year appointment with possible extension

Applications accepted until filled

Contact: Dr. Nikolai N. Klimov ().