Scientist II - STARRGUARD Initiative

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Scientist II - STARRGUARD Initiative to provide scientific and programmatic support, oversight, and management for the daily operations of a collection of related/integrated projects that together support a long-term research initiative. This role involves strategically guiding technical and research staff to ensure they are all working effectively toward the program's stated objectives. Key responsibilities will include tracking and reporting on project progress and managing essential program elements like goals, risks, resources, budgets, and quality control.

Project Summary: The STARRGUARD initiative (Study To Assess Risk and Resilience and Generate Uniform AI/ML Readiness Decision-Support) aims to create a unified, integrated health-surveillance architecture that delivers actionable, AI-driven, real-time decision support to commanders and medical providers. By using machine learning models to forecast suicide and behavioral health risk, developing and implementing targeted prevention strategies, and developing real-time, cost-efficient solutions for access to medical and historical administrative data to inform medical and readiness decisions.

This position will be in support of the Department of Psychiatry / Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress.

The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) is one of the nation's oldest and most highly regarded, academic-based organizations dedicated to advancing trauma-informed knowledge, leadership and methodologies. The Center's work addresses a wide scope of trauma exposure from the consequences of combat, operations other than war, terrorism, natural and human-made disasters, and public health threats as well as risk and protective factors associated with suicidal behaviors. CSTS is a part of our nation's federal medical school, Uniformed Services University (USU), and its Department of Psychiatry. These affiliations represent the Center's history, mission and future directions as a major contributor to our country's understanding of the impact of trauma and the advancement of trauma-informed care. Learn more about the CSTS.

The Department has active research programs in the Basic and Clinical Sciences and Neurosciences. In addition to intramural research projects, the Department maintains active research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Science Foundation, the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force. The department has ongoing collaborations with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, is sponsor of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress and provides psychiatry residency training through its affiliations with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center and Malcolm Grow Air Force Medical Center and the National Capital Area Graduate Medical Education Consortium.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• Serve as main point of contact and liaison between internal and external stakeholders (i.e. Principal Investigators, Program Sponsors, organizational leadership and project management teams). Establish and maintain effective working relationships on matters of mutual interest.
• Plans, executes, and oversees psychological/mental health research. Manage key program elements, including but not limited to experimental protocols, goals and milestones, risks, available resources, budgets, standard operating procedures, quality control, and results.
• Create new processes and standard operating procedures for various program operations, including but not limited to biorepository requests and publication procedures.
• Identify project interdependencies, aligning resources and efforts where appropriate.
• Supervise, advise and guide Project Managers and technical staff throughout the program lifecycle, focusing on the strategic direction of the projects. Take corrective action as needed.
• Monitors scientific literature and prepares written reports and manuscripts for submission to scientific journals and prepares patent applications. Coordinates and participate in planning, creation and submission of proposals and agreements.
• Makes scientific observations, maintains detailed workbooks/documentation, and ensures documentation fulfills generally accepted professional/industry standards.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.

Supervisory Responsibilities Direct Supervisor: Direct authority to make decisions on the following: employee hiring, disciplinary action, starting salaries and merit increases; conduct employee performance evaluations and directs work activities.

Education and Experience

• Doctoral Degree required in Social Sciences, Life Sciences, or other related fields of study required.
• Scientific project management experience required.
• Minimum of 5-8 years experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of applicable complex scientific procedures and techniques. Strong knowledge of research in mental health and suicidality in military and/or veteran populations strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing, build and maintain teams, and identify and resolve problems. Experience communicating effectively with senior military leadership preferred.
• Familiarity with large-scale data analysis and experience working with large-scale datasets strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, schedule, and coordinate activities to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and supervise others.
• Familiarity with knowledge of federal budget processes and fundamental principles of project management strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of a variety of software including but not limited to Microsoft Office, proposal/project tracking, and data analysis software.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a T1/Public Trust background check.

Physical Capabilities

• Ability to stand or sit at a computer for prolonged periods.

Compensation

• The annual salary range for this position is $93,100 - $140,000. Actual salary will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.