Description

Are you looking for a career that will make an impact?

The Leidos Military and Veterans Health Solutions group currently has an opening for a Senior Research Scientist to work within the Warfighter Performance Department at the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego, CA. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to improve the health and performance of warfighters and military personnel.

The primary responsibility of the Senior Research Scientist is to conduct studies and analyses with a focus on military operational performance. Specifically, the Senior Research Scientist will lead a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, data analysts, and subject matter experts to develop scientific theories, design research methods, and conduct human subject research to evaluate warfighter performance. The Senior Research Scientist will be responsible for managing and executing research projects that span multiple technical domains and provide solutions to complex or undefined problems related to warfighter performance.

Are you ready for unique and exciting work?

*Please note that this position is currently eligible for 100% remote work and although we anticipate that this will continue, remote eligibility is subject to change at any time based on customer needs.

Advanced knowledge using methodologies and procedures to determine levels of physical and cognitive performance, fatigue, fitness, metabolic work rate, body composition, and nutrition in evaluating military operational performance is required. Applicant should have a strong technical knowledge of human physiology and cognition within the contexts of military environments. Applicant should maintain high level of statistical understanding and implementation.

Primary Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Serve as lead in the development of a novel database which will contain data related to human performance, physical/behavioral health, and task performance. Will lead development of novel ways to examine the data and lead execution of analyses that provide meaningful and actionable information.

• Serve as primary point of contact between government scientists, technical advisors, and funding sponsor. Serve as the primary point of contact for the research team and develop collaborations with other scientists, military personnel, and research institutions. Communicate with colleagues and professionals in multiple disciplines to determine project design, changes in methodology, and discuss project outcomes.

• Conduct needs assessment with government and military personnel to identify problem areas associated with physical and cognitive performance of warfighters that can be addressed through high-quality research and be incorporated into database.

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, data analysts, and subject matter experts to execute projects (includes daily tasking and communication, evaluation, and providing feedback on performance for team members).

• Manage research projects in their entirety (research design/methodology, development of human subject protocols, data collection, data analyses, reports/manuscripts/final products) to ensure successful project completion.

• Manage and track financial aspects of all research projects, including team labor, purchases, contracts, and travel, and provide timely updates and projections to government customer.

• Work with funding sponsors to develop novel research projects and objectives that will enhance the safety and/or performance of warfighters and secure funds to execute such projects.

• Develop sound technical approaches to solve complex issues and problems that impact multiple areas and disciplines with a goal of improving the health, safety, and performance of warfighters.

• Conduct research related to human performance, heavily focused on physical and cognitive stress, in laboratory and field-based settings.

• Develop research protocols based on rigorous literature reviews, previous research, and best practices.

• Conduct data collection on human subjects in laboratory and field settings using best practices for physiological, cognitive, and laboratory equipment; including database management and implementation. Operate and maintain such equipment. Abide by human research protections regulations.

• Demonstrate a high level of scientific and technical writing to develop reports and conclusions based on research findings to include scientific protocols, technical reports, sponsor reports, presentations, abstracts, and publications for scientific, military, and academic audiences.

• Conduct subject recruitment and enrollment, conduct briefing discussions for inclusion and exclusion criteria, answer scientific and research-related questions pertaining to the informed consent discussion.

• Train and mentor junior research staff on best-practice research procedures, writing development, and laboratory equipment use.

• Lead team and collaborators in applied research using physiological monitoring devices in collaboration with other Naval Health Research Center departments and extramural universities.

If this sounds like an environment where you can thrive, keep reading for the keys to success!

Required Education, Skills and Experience

• PhD in exercise physiology, kinesiology, human biology, or a related scientific field from an accredited college or university and four or more years of related experience is required. A MS/MA in exercise physiology, kinesiology, human biology, or a related scientific field from an accredited college or university and eight or more years of related experience will be considered in lieu of a PhD.

• Applicants with degrees in psychological fields will be considered if they can demonstrate extensive background and practical experience in applied physiology.

• Experience working with wearable physiological monitoring devices (e.g., heart rate monitors, accelerometers) is required.

• Excellent understanding of human physiological and psychological responses to various types of stress is required.

• Prior management experience is required.

• Excellent technical writing background with an ability to write research proposals, human use protection protocols, technical reports, journal articles, and conference papers is required.

• Solid background in physiological and human performance research methodology, design, and statistical analysis in a research setting. Ability to interact positively and professionally within a research-oriented environment.

• Excellent critical thinking with problem-solving skills and an ability to work cooperatively in a team setting. Flexibility in responding to changing demands, timelines, and priorities. Ability to travel (both CONUS and OCONUS).

• US Citizenship required.  Must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with a military population preferred

• Phlebotomy skills preferred

• Basic wet lab skills (e.g., ELISAs, multiplex assays) and troubleshooting/mentorship of junior staff preferred

Naval Health West - NHW

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Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

#Remote

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500® technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company’s 47,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022.   For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [email protected].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.