Research Software Engineer

Position Overview

The Johns Hopkins Data Science and AI Institute (DSAI) is a cutting‐edge, pan-institutional initiative focused on advancing artificial intelligence and its applications. DSAI brings together expertise in mathematics, computation, and ethics with domains such as Health & Medicine, Scientific Discovery, Engineered Systems, Security & Safety, and Governance. We are seeking Research Software Engineers to design and build state-of-the-art AI models, data science techniques, and innovative software solutions in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University faculty.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in ground-breaking research projects requiring advanced software engineering solutions.
• Develop AI/ML solutions using state-of-the-art deep learning libraries on advanced hardware.
• Analyze massive data sets in cloud or on-premises environments.
• Design novel data science techniques, software pipelines for real-time high-frequency data processing, and complex database models.
• Engage deeply in projects, contributing to scientific publications and consulting engagements.
• Develop software solutions from scratch or refactor existing ones to meet industry standards for quality, efficiency, reusability, robustness, and portability.
• Translate individual project efforts into scalable frameworks for sustainable scientific infrastructure.

Required Qualifications

• Technical Expertise: Expert-level proficiency in Python and modern AI/ML, vision, NLP, bioinformatics, or computational libraries. Familiarity with C++ and containerization tools like Docker is a plus.
• Experience with RESTful web services, SQL and relational databases, Linux, Git workflows, test-driven development, CI/CD, and cloud deployment.
• Strong background in software engineering best practices and a demonstrated ability to lead and work independently.
• Academic & Experience: Masters in a quantitative discipline (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or Bioinformatics) with a solid scientific computing or mathematics background, plus at least 3 years’ experience in large-scale software development and 3 years in AI/ML or data science application.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in a quantitative discipline.
• At least 5 years’ experience in AI/ML or data science, including developing, training, and fine-tuning large language models or foundational models.
• Experience deploying AI models onto clinical platforms and working with large-scale scientific simulations.
• Familiarity with scientific data formats (e.g., medical imaging, genomic sequences, chemical structures, geospatial data) and CUDA GPU programming.
• Experience in authoring open-source Python packages, project governance, and community adoption initiatives.

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation: $150,000 - $200,000 annually (Commensurate with experience)
• Employment Type: Full Time
• Schedule: 37.5 hrs/wk, M-F
• Location: Homewood Campus
• Department: DSAI Institute
• Classified Title: Scientific Software Engineer
• Job Posting Title: Research Software Engineer
• Role/Level/Range: APPTSTAF/01/ST