Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.

The Acquisition and Technology Analysis Group within JOID specializes in the application of multi-disciplinary analytic skills to support multiple clients within the Department of Defense (DoD). These clients include the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)), DARPA, the Joint Staff, and USINDOPACOM. SPA provides critical decision support to enabling and executing a strategy of technological superiority and enabling the delivery and sustainment of secure, resilient, and preeminent capabilities to the warfighter quickly and cost effectively. Our team of experienced military, technical, and operations research analysts is skilled in evaluating military problems, identifying the driving factors, devising innovative approaches, collecting applicable data, developing necessary software tools, and performing thorough and timely assessments to inform technology and acquisition governance decisions to ensure U.S. military forces retain military superiority in the future.

SPA has an immediate need for a Senior Microbiology Scientist (SETA) to provide onsite support in Arlington, VA.

The candidate will lead periodic (monthly or bi-weekly) performer assessments to analyze program, technical and schedule risks; develop risk mitigation strategies; communicate findings to program management. Provide technical evaluations and guidance on reports, briefings, and other performer communications. Assess and inform a range of technologies and potential applications: Microbial engineering (metabolic engineering; synthetic biology to develop microbial sense-and-response systems); Host/microbiome interactions; Environmental microbiology; and Geomicrobiology.

Required Qualifications:

Master's degree in Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, or Microbial Bioengineering
• 7 years of related experience in Microbial or Microbiological research
• Interim DoD Secret clearance

Desired Qualifications:

• PhD in Microbiology, Microbial Ecology or Microbial Bioengineering
• Active DoD Secret clearance
• Prior experience providing SETA support