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Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Not-for-profit UARC delivering national security research

Senior Ontologist

Data ManagementConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeLaurel, MD, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

  • Have a Master's degree in a field relevant to ontology, such as Philosophy, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Public or Social Policy, Mathematics, Logic, or Linguistics.
  • Be proficient with at least one of Ontology Web Language (OWL), Resource Description Framework Schema (RDFS), and Resource Description Framework (RDF).
  • Be proficient with SPARQL.
  • Have experience building domain ontologies based on a top-level ontology.
  • Be able to weigh tradeoffs between semantic expressivity and project-specific implementation strategies.
  • Have experience with Python.
  • Be familiar with ontology editors such as TopBraid Composer, Protégé, or ROBOT, or ontology editing software packages such as rdflib, Apache Jena, Sesame, or RDF4J.
  • Have experience with formal representations of logical reasoning and inference.
  • Be able to work with loosely defined or high-level requirements.
  • Be able to work on multiple dynamic projects supporting evolving national security requirements.
  • Have problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
  • Demonstrate initiative.
  • Have experience working successfully independently or within a team environment.
  • Have written and verbal communication skills.
  • Hold an active TS/SCI security clearance and be able ultimately to obtain a TS/SCI+poly clearance. Eligibility for access to classified information requires U.S. citizenship.

Responsibilities

  • Work on a team with software engineers and data scientists to build ontologies and capabilities for applied national security mission needs.
  • Provide expert evaluation and review of ontology content.
  • Engage stakeholders to determine ontology requirements.
  • Work with subject matter experts to craft ontology content.
  • Contribute to and implement quality assurance and validation practices.

Desired Qualifications

  • Have a PhD in a field relevant to ontology, such as Philosophy, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Public or Social Policy, Mathematics, Logic, or Linguistics.
  • Have experience working with a software engineering team to deliver ontology-driven software features.
  • Have experience with Basic Formal Ontology (BFO), The Common Core Ontologies (CCO), W3C standards such as SOSA/SSN and the Time Ontology, ontologies in the Open Biological and Biomedical (OBO) Foundry, or semantic web standards such as Dublin Core, SKOS, QUDT, and GeoSPARQL.
  • Have experience with triple stores or graph databases such as GraphDB, Stardog, or Jena Fuseki.
  • Have experience using AI tools to generate high-quality ontology content.
  • Have experience developing AI tools that use ontologies or knowledge graphs.
  • Have experience with semantic validation languages such as SHACL or SPIN.
  • Have experience with software version management using Git.
  • Have experience with machine learning, natural language processing, or normalization and integration of heterogeneous data sources.
  • Have coursework in data structures, databases, metaphysics, knowledge representation, algorithms, mathematical logic, mereotopology, or software programming.
  • Have experience with project management and/or leading technical teams.

About the Company

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Not-for-profit UARC delivering national security research

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is a not-for-profit university-affiliated research center that provides solutions to complex national security and scientific challenges through technical expertise, prototyping, research and development, and analysis. It uses engineering, simulations, and studies to design prototypes and deliver analyses that support government and partner organizations. Unlike many commercial firms, APL operates as a non-profit affiliated with Johns Hopkins and focuses on mission-oriented research rather than selling finished products. Its goal is to provide practical, thoroughly tested solutions to public-sector customers by performing research, developing prototypes, and offering expert analysis.

Company size
5,001-10,000
Company stage
Not listed
Total funding
Not listed
Headquarters
United States
Founded
1942

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