Principal Scientist I

Deftec Corporation - Vienna, VA

Full-time - Senior

Vienna, VA

National Security and International Affairs

About the position

The Principal Scientist I at DEFTEC Corporation plays a crucial role in supporting the Federal Bureau of Investigation's High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG) within the Counterterrorism Division. This position focuses on advancing the science and practice of interrogation, ensuring that interrogation techniques are effective and based on the latest psychological and behavioral research. The role involves overseeing a diverse research portfolio, providing technical expertise, and collaborating with various law enforcement and international partners to enhance intelligence collection capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Lead Government Program Manager in the oversight of a Research Program with IC-wide accountability and influence.
• Provide technical expertise to accomplish the multi-agency mission and objectives.
• Provide guidance to non-specialists in an understandable manner.
• Prepare tailored informational briefings and work products.
• Build collaborative networks with Federal, State, and local law enforcement and international partners and allies.
• Assist in the oversight of a large and diverse research portfolio in support of operations, training, and policy development for the HIG.
• Complete tasks given by the FBI Chief Research Psychologist to maintain the research program.
• Support workstreams by receiving, responding to, and documenting research and training requests.
• Create and conduct applications for research to support internal developments in training opportunities.
• Engage with the U.S. and international research communities whose work is relevant to the activities of the HIG.
• Monitor relevant research publications for data, methods and principles that can be useful to the operations, analysis, and training activities of the HIG.
• Support competitive calls, such as Broad Agency Announcements, via the creation of materials and development of topic areas.
• Maintain program documentation on timescales, milestones, and completeness to support management reviews.
• Provide consultation to teams on pre-deployment interrogation plan and on the application of HIG-methods on ongoing operations.
• Interact on a regular basis with other USG and international operational personnel to share research findings, develop new collaborative opportunities, and ensure effective use of USG resources by leveraging research and field tests already ongoing and/or support by other USG and international scientific agencies.
• Write and edit publications for communication within the IC as well as outside the IC about research relevant to effective interrogations.
• Agenda development and implementation support for the annual HIG Research Symposium, Research Out-Briefs Day, and Research Committee meetings.
• Prepare and conduct tailored briefings on the HIG Research Program and findings to stakeholders, senior policy makers.
• Attend relevant national and international conferences and courses.
• Guide, Design and Implement Research methods and analysis plans.
• Draft responses to weekly taskers, data calls, and Weekly Activity Reports in a timely manner.

Requirements

• A master's degree in Psychology or closely related technical domain such as social sciences is highly preferred; however, those with a bachelor's degree and highly relevant work experience such as research design, methodology and data analytics will be considered.
• At least two (2) years post-degree work in conducting or managing research for national security.
• Experience briefing scientific research to a range of stakeholders.
• Subject matter expert in social and behavioral and/or cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology.
• Ability to establish robust, independent peer review assessments to evaluate USIC programs, papers, and projects.

Nice-to-haves

• A strong record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Benefits

• Paid holidays
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Life insurance