Ontologist (TS/SCI cleared)
About the role
The Threat Analytic Systems (QAI) Group at APL seeks talented staff to provide groundbreaking capabilities that bridge the gaps between data, real-world events, and prediction of events of national importance. We are looking for individuals who can work as part of a team to develop ontologies and apply them to national security mission needs.
Responsibilities
- Work with software engineers and data scientists to build ontologies and capabilities for applied national security mission needs.
- Engage stakeholders to determine ontology requirements.
- Craft ontology content with subject matter experts.
- Implement quality assurance and validation practices.
Qualifications
- Minimum: Bachelor's degree in a field relevant to Ontology (Philosophy, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Public / Social Policy, Mathematics, Logic, Linguistics).
- Relevant degree fields may include Philosophy, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Public / Social Policy, Mathematics, Logic, or Linguistics.
- Proficient with any of the following: Ontology Web Language (OWL), Resource Description Framework Schema (RDFs), and Resource Description Framework (RDF).
- Experience crafting SPARQL queries.
- Experience building domain ontologies.
- Familiarity with ontology editors (e.g., TopBraid Composer, Protégé, ROBOT), or ontology editing software packages (e.g. rdflib, Apache Jena, Sesame, RDF4J).
- Ability to work with loosely defined or high-level requirements.
- Experience working on multiple dynamic projects to support evolving national security requirements.
- Strong problem solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated initiative.
- Experience working independently or within a team environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Active TS/SCI security clearance and ability to obtain a TS/SCI+poly level clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in a field relevant to Ontology (Philosophy, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Public / Social Policy, Mathematics, Logic, Linguistics).
- Experience working with a software engineering team to deliver ontology-driven software features.
- Building domain ontologies based on a top-level ontology.
- Able to weigh tradeoffs between semantic expressivity and project-specific implementation strategies.
- Experience with BFO, CCO, SOSA/SSN, Time Ontology, OBO Foundry, and other semantic web standards.
- Experience with formal representations of logical reasoning and inference.
- Experience with triple stores or graph databases (e.g., GraphDB, Stardog, Jena Fuseki).
- Experience with semantic validation languages (e.g. SHACL, SPIN).
- Experience with software version management using GIT.
- Experience with Python.
- Experience with machine learning, natural language processing, or integration of heterogeneous data sources.
- Coursework in data structures, databases, metaphysics, knowledge representation, algorithms, mathematical logic, mereotopology, or software programming.
About Us
At APL, we bring world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space, and science challenges. We are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, while fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and mutual respect. Our employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including generous retirement contributions, a healthy work-life balance, and opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us and make a difference!