Vienna, VA, USA | Salary | Full Time

Principal Scientist I

DEFTEC delivers mission-critical solutions through skillfully delivered services and innovative products. We are inspired by our clients' critical missions and driven to provide the most effective solutions to execute their missions, operational challenges, and requirements. Our dedicated, experienced, and talented employees work closely with our clients to ensure the delivery of exceptional services and products.

POSITION OVERVIEW

DEFTEC Corporation is seeking a Principal Scientist I to support the Federal Bureau of Investigation, High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG), Counterterrorism Division. The HIG Research Program serves as the locus for advancing the science and practice of interrogation within the United States Government (USG) and is the only USG program specifically studying the psychological and behavioral science underlying the practice of interrogation. The HIG Research Program is charged with the study and evaluation of whether the interrogation practices and techniques in Army Field Manual 2-22.3, when employed by departments and agencies outside the military, provide an appropriate means of acquiring the intelligence necessary to protect the Nation. Additionally, the HIG Research Program exists to recommend any additional or different guidance for other departments or agencies' (Executive Order 13491), if warranted, and to develop a set of best practices for conducting interrogations. The HIG Research Program achieves its research mission through the development of a multi-faceted and interdisciplinary research program that integrates operations, training, and research. This comprehensive approach is designed to ensure that the HIG Research Program is based upon and provides the most current, informed, and applicable science as a guide to interrogations for HIG members and associated USG entities.

The Training Program, Interview & Interrogation Curriculum is the only science-based interview and interrogation training in the USIC. All HIG courses are developed and instructed by HIG trainers, researchers, experienced collectors, and analysts, with a special emphasis on Human Intelligence Operations (Source Operations and Interrogation Operations), in collaboration with professional curriculum designers. The professionally designed training courses are offered to domestic agencies such as the FBI, CIA, and DOD. Internationally, the HIG offers training to allied foreign partners of strategic operational interest, with the goal of improving their ability to collect more and better intelligence while enhancing our key operational partnerships.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the Lead Government Program Manager (PM) 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 on-going 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 (e.g., Research Dissemination Reports, review articles, etc.).

• 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 (WAR) in a timely manner.

  QUALIFICATIONS:

  Required Qualifications:

• A master's degree in a 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) year 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.

• Abiliyt to establish robust, independent peer review assessments to evaluate USIC programs, papers, and projects.

  Preferred Qualifications:

• A strong record of publications in peer-reviewed journals

  DEFTEC offers a comprehensive whole-life benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, holiday, paid time off, 401K with a match, life insurance, short/long-term disability, and educational reimbursement. The DEFTEC team comprises professionals who make a difference daily in crucial national security missions. Our leadership knows that this happens by employing a diverse team that is well cared for. Our top priority is our employees, making DEFTEC an ideal workplace.

  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Please get in touch with HR@deftec.com if you require reasonable accommodations.

  DEFTEC is a Drug-Free Workplace where post-offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria are met as outlined in our policies.

  AAP/EEO Statement

  DEFTEC Corp is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, and gender expression, religious creed, disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics ), genetic information, age, marital status, civil union status, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, denial of family and medical care leave, arrest record and/or any other characteristic(s) protected by federal, state or local law.

  This policy applies to all terms of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.

  Other Duties

  Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.