Principal Scientist I

Principal Scientist I
Position Summary
DarkStar Intelligence seeks a Principal Scientist I to support a multi-agency research program with IC-wide impact, focusing on operations, training, and policy development for the High-Value Interrogation Group (HIG). The role involves providing technical expertise, overseeing research design and implementation, building collaborative relationships with federal, state, and international partners, and delivering tailored briefings and publications to senior stakeholders. The ideal candidate holds a TS/SCI with polygraph, a master’s degree in psychology or a related field (or equivalent experience), and at least two years of post-degree national security research experience. Subject matter expertise in social and behavioral sciences, cognitive neuroscience, or neuropsychology, along with a strong record of communication and collaboration, is essential. This is an opportunity to advance cutting-edge, ethical, science-based intelligence operations.
Location: Vienna, VA
Schedule (FT/PT): Full-Time
Travel Required: No
Shift: Day
Remote Type: No Remote
Security Clearance: Current TS/SCI
Polygraph: Current Counterintelligence Polygraph
Primary Duties and 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Clearance: TS/SCI with a current polygraph.
• A bachelor’s degree in psychology, social sciences, or a closely related technical domain, combined with highly relevant work experience in research design, methodology, and data analytics.
• At least two (2) years of post-degree experience conducting or managing research in support of national security.
• Demonstrated experience briefing scientific research to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Subject matter expertise in social and behavioral sciences, cognitive neuroscience, or neuropsychology.
• Ability to establish robust, independent peer review assessments to evaluate USIC programs, papers, and projects.
• Note: At the discretion of the Government, specialized experience may be substituted in lieu of specific educational requirements.

Desired Qualifications

• A master’s degree in psychology, social sciences, or a closely related technical domain is highly preferred.
• A strong record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Proven ability to identify and develop research opportunities in cutting-edge technology and ethical, science-based approaches to interviews, interrogations, and intelligence gathering.
• Active engagement with IC working groups and communities of interest in the social and behavioral sciences.

Salary Range
Contact [email protected] for information regarding the salary range for this proposal effort