Summary CAISI is a center of AI expertise in the U.S. government. Its Partnerships team is hiring a computer scientist to research and develop technical guidelines for AI, including evaluation methodologies, security frameworks, and agentic protocols. This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates. Responsibilities In this position, you will: Research, develop, and draft guidelines and standards for Artificial Intelligence, focusing on evaluation methodologies, security frameworks, and agentic protocols. Manage document development lifecycles, including technical working groups and feedback synthesis. Negotiate and settle matters involving significant technical issues. Impact the planning and completion of technology projects. Present ideas and results in a persuasive manner. Collaborate on technical research and study emerging topics, including agentic protocols. Coordinate engagement in standards-development organizations to ensure standards are scientifically rigorous, interoperable, and aligned with national security and the public interest. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications All applicants must submit a resume NOT TO EXCEED two pages on standard-size paper. If the resume exceeds two pages, only the first two pages will be reviewed for qualifications or assessment determinations. Basic Requirements: A. Bachelor's degree in computer science. OR B. Bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. ZP-1550-III: In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level (ZP-II at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrating technical understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) generative models and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms; carrying out technical evaluations or research on AI models; working with protocols, APIs, or multi-agent AI frameworks; drafting technical reports, documentation, of manuscripts; collaborating and coordinating on AI-related projects with technical working groups. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR Combination of education and experience. ZP-1550-IV: In addition to the above requirements, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level (ZP-III at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrating advanced technical understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) generative models and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms; planning and designing technical evaluations or research on AI models; contributing to the development and maintenance of software, protocols, APIs, or multi-agent AI frameworks; leading drafting of technical reports, documentation, or manuscripts; and leading AI-related projects with technical working groups. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration Education This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment. Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application. Additional Information This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent Learn more about the APMS here! We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy. Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions. You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position. All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations. A trial period may be required. This appointment may be extended up to four years without further competition. This position requires the passing of a drug test. This position requires filing an OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of onboarding and annually thereafter. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.