Ontology/Semantics Specialist

Location: Rockville, MD

Department: Professional Services

Position Overview 

Axle is seeking an Ontology/Semantics Specialist that will support NIH’s enterprise semantic infrastructure by managing vocabulary services, metadata frameworks, and ontology development. This role ensures data standardization, interoperability, and integration across biomedical research systems. 

This opportunity supports a blended team providing PMO leadership, IT engineering and sustainment, biomedical informatics and data science, as well as policy, process, communications, and training functions. The work enables both NIH basic research and the NIH clinical research enterprise.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Tracks semantics of research data, develops graphical user interfaces to HPC resources, recommending, utilizing, and configuring HPC workflow management tools.  
• Provides training, tutorials, communication, and education on HPC resources to stakeholders and teams. Leads HPC projects. 
• Experience working in Enterprise Vocabulary Services. 
• Develop and maintain biomedical ontologies and metadata standards. 
• Support Common Data Elements (CDE) management within caDSR. 
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure semantic harmonization across systems. 
• Develop APIs and services supporting semantic integration. 
• Document semantic models and contribute to governance processes. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree plus four (4) years of experience.   
• Experience in biomedical ontology development or semantic technologies. 
• Knowledge of metadata standards and controlled vocabularies. 
• Familiarity with API development and data integration frameworks. 
• Experience with NIH/NIH systems preferred. 

Disclaimer: 

The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individuals assigned to this position or job description. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job description or responsibilities as needed.

The diversity of Axle’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact: [email protected]

This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range listed below. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location.

Salary Range

$115,000 - $135,000  USD