Associate Scientist - DVCIPM

Job Description

Join the HJF Team!

 HJF is seeking an Associate Scientist to develop and conduct research projects. Investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and concepts to potential inventions, products, and problems. Develops new technologies and protocols.

This position will be in support of the Defense & Veterans Consortium for Integrative Pain Management (DVCIPM). The incumbent will support the ongoing Pain, Pain Management and Suicide in the Military Health System project, Biobank study, and new project development involving pain and mental health. The goal of the Pain, Pain Management and Suicide in the Military Health study is to describe healthcare utilization, treatment patterns, comorbidities, patient-reported outcomes, and patient characteristics across the Military Health System and within military treatment facilities among Active Duty Service Members (ADSM) who attempted and died by suicide. Healthcare records will be used to characterize demographics, pain related diagnoses, pain management, healthcare utilization, medications, comorbid conditions, and available patient-reported outcomes in the period preceding the suicide-related event. Next steps in the proposed line of research would be developing policy or pain interventions targeted to address factors determined to be associated with suicide risk and measuring their impact and implementation feasibility.

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.

Responsibilities

• Assists in developing new protocols in coordination with the Center Director, Scientific Director and other Investigators. Participates as a Co- and Principal Investigator with responsibility over aspects of protocol research and development. Assists in the design and edit of protocols, provides input concerning clinical aspects, and discusses findings/recommendations with the Principal Investigator.
• Works with Scientific Director to coordinate and prepare new grant and funding applications.
• Knowledgeable and proficient with the content of DVCIPM protocols. Identifies problems in the research design or clinical concerns.
• Supports/participates in the accomplishment of program-wide initiatives (e.g., pilot/outcome study project, research initiatives, etc.).
• Develops reports and presents research findings at local and national meetings and assist in the preparation of research articles for publication in scientific journals.
• Makes contributions to scientific literature and conferences via manuscript submissions and presentations.
• Supports positive relationships with multidisciplinary collaborators for novel lines of research inquiry and appropriately select research questions, study design, and clinical inquiry.
• Supports the DVCIPM Pain Registry Biobank with projects involving biological samples (e.g., saliva, blood/phlebotomy) for biomarker and neuroendocrine analyses.
• Integrates peripheral biological measures (e.g., salivary biomarkers, autonomic measures, genetic/epigenetic markers) into research designs assessing stress, pain, and trauma-related outcomes.
• Administers and interprets standardized neuropsychological batteries, cognitive tests, and structured diagnostic interviews (e.g., SCID-5, C-SSRS, cognitive performance measures) for clinical research participants.
• Oversees quality control and clinical fidelity for psychiatric, suicide risk, and cognitive assessment protocols in clinical trial settings.
• Supports design and implementation of experimental behavioral stress paradigms (e.g., TSST), sleep/circadian protocols (e.g., PSG, EEG), and real-time intensive longitudinal protocols (e.g., EMA).
• Assists in data analysis, power analyses, and helping to conduct analyses once a reporting database is created, and interpreting the results based on historical and recent empirical literature and clinical expertise.
• Maintains proficiency with respect to clinical psychology and in applying clinical knowledge to new and varied research questions.
• Provides statistical support via study design, data analyses, and results interpretation throughout the courses of studies and assists in the preparation of study reports for presentations and publications.
• Conducts complex statistical analyses including longitudinal Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM), and Growth Curve Modeling (GCM) using software such as R or SAS.
  
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology required.
• Minimum of 0-2 years experience required.
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Clinical mental health treatment experience required.
• Knowledge of applicable scientific procedures and techniques required.
• Excellent communication skills required.
• Knowledge in statistical analyses. Proficiency in statistical software and data platforms (e.g., R, MPlus, SAS, SPSS, REDCap).
• Proficiency with scientific writing; ability to work independently.
• Familiarity with specialized bio-behavioral data collection protocols (EEG/PSG, salivary/blood biomarkers).
• Ability to obtain a T1/Public Trust background check.
  
  

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a office setting.
  
  

Compensation

• The salary range for this position is $61,000-$85,000. 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.