Cyber Resilience and Operations Assistant Researcher

Job Overview

MIT Lincoln Laboratory Assistant Technical Staff provide critical support for domain-level innovative research supporting the Laboratory’s national security mission. They prototype state-of-the-art technology solutions and engage in many steps of a program lifecycle. As an Assistant Technical Staff member, you will work with multidisciplinary project teams assisting with solutions to complex to moderately complex problems through research and technology development activities. In this highly contributory role, you will develop and grow your understanding of the Laboratory and the work we do for our research sponsors and on behalf of the nation while taking on defined research and technical assignments. Depending on the level, you will complete clearly scoped assignments with guidance or apply established methods with limited oversight while taking greater ownership of defined technical work. 

As a successful candidate, you will bring a strong technical foundation, curiosity, and an aptitude for technical growth. You will develop or deepen expertise within a primary technical domain, broaden your awareness of adjacent areas, and support activities such as hardware and software development, systems analysis, data analysis, component fabrication, system integration, testing, and documentation. 

Additional Job Overview Details

As an Assistant Staff member in the Cyber Operations & Analysis Technology Group, you will perform analysis, develop technology, and/or architect and build software for the next generation of operational cyber security systems. You will collaborate with a highly motivated and skilled research team,  but be expected to act with considerable autonomy and independence. You will apply your technical skill to improve cyber security and resilience of national security systems and equip the nation's cyber operators to defend against persistent, intelligent adversaries. You will have many opportunities to develop your skills as a researcher, including in technical execution, project leadership, and sharing results with the community through publications and presentations.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Support design, development, data analysis, programming, testing, troubleshooting, modeling, simulation, and documentation of systems or prototypes. 
• Apply basic or established technical practices, tools, and procedures to complete defined tasks and solve routine technical problems. 
• Contribute to data collection, documentation, and component- or subsystem-level deliverables supporting broader research and mission-focused efforts. 
• Learn and apply relevant mission context, technical standards, systems, platforms, and project processes. 
• Communicate progress, technical results, assumptions, risks, and questions clearly and incorporate feedback into technical work products. 
• Depending on level, identify small process improvements and assist new hires, interns, or less experienced staff. 

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates will be considered for the appropriate level based on their education, experience, demonstrated technical capabilities, and the scope and complexity of their prior work. 

Level 1 – Assistant Technical Staff 

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field, or equivalent relevant experience. 
• Typically, no technical experience or relevant research experience required. 
• Foundational understanding of research principles, analytical methods, and structured problem solving. 
• Ability to learn and apply technical tools, systems, standards, and procedures within a team environment. 
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document work clearly, ask clarifying questions, and interact respectfully with colleagues, sponsors, and other stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated collaboration, curiosity, attention to detail, and willingness to receive and apply feedback. 

Level 2 – Assistant Technical Staff 

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or other relevant technical field, or equivalent relevant experience. 
• Typically, 1+ years of relevant research, engineering, or other technical experience; a Master’s degree may be considered. 
• Demonstrated ability to apply concepts and technical methods to routine problems. 
• Working knowledge of relevant tools, systems, standards, and documentation practices used in project execution. 
• Ability to complete assigned tasks accurately, manage time effectively, and communicate progress and risks. 
• Collaborative working style with an emerging ability to support others, contribute to team learning, and interact respectfully with colleagues, sponsors, and other stakeholders. 

Additional Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Security, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, or related field
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively on difficult, open-ended problems in cyber security and defense with interdisciplinary technical teams
• Motivation to identify underlying technical problems and proactively pursue viable solutions
• Proficiency in modern programming languages such as Python, Rust, or Java
• Demonstrated interest in cyber security
• Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following, with research experience especially valued (classes, extracurriculars, mentoring, etc.):

• • Cyber security.
  • Generative and agentic AI.
  • Cloud and infrastructure automation (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, etc.)
  • Mathematical or statistical modeling and problem-solving.
  • Software engineering.
  • United States military operations, especially cyberspace operations.