Chemical and Biological Threat Agent Scientist

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 growthwe 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 producingResults 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 (JOID) 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.

JOID assists the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in developing leading edge technologies to counter WMD in support of Combatant Commands and transitioning these technologies to military services. SPA provides expertise across the full range of chemical biological radiological nuclear and high-yield explosives (CBRNE) WMD Counter Improvised Threat and Countering Threat Network technologies to support understanding detection identification characterization denial control disabling defeating disposing safeguarding the force managing consequences and test and evaluation in support of military and civilian operations.

We have a near-term need for a Chemical and Biological Threat Agent Scientist to provide onsite support out of SPAs Lorton VA Facility (near Fort Belvoir).

The candidate will serve as a Technical SME and strategist supporting the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Research and Development-Chemical Biological Department (RD-CB) Enabling Science (CBE) Division. Will assist in monitoring research projects with a grasp of emerging advances in CB threat characterization. Apply an understanding of DoD initiatives aimed at closing knowledge gaps by supporting foundational chemical/biological research hazard assessment and translation of reporting into S&T activities to enable operational threat characterization and provide decision advantage to warfighters. Apply a broad understanding of Chem Bio Defense Program (CBDP) capability gaps and assist the Government with decision-making and program project and product-level strategies and priorities ensuring portfolios are responsive and mapped to program goals. Assist the Government in analyzing developing and presenting strategic alignments recommendations and requirements support to the Branchs portfolio integration team and the Divisions vision and mission. Apply critical understanding of the Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO) transition process military end-users and partner developers. Will help review national doctrine and planning documents to advise on their application portfolio alignment as well as advisement on editing these documents. The SME will assist in reviewing proposals across multiple portfolios review technical reports and read experimental or theoretical techniques scientific studies and statements of work to advise the team on technical validity and to evaluate current and future CB technologies. Stay informed of current novel S&T in the field as well as programmatic skills to trace Threat Agent Science (TAS) capabilities to stakeholder requirements. Aptly provide guidance and advisement on technical trajectory.

Travel: 10-30%

Examples of duties and responsibilities for a qualified candidate include but are not limited to:

Work with CBE TAS to assist in establishing objectives for S&T engagement and strategic direction. Assist in the development of a TAS system integration and assessment process to support the augmentation of TAS operational threat characterization capabilities incorporating analysis and feedback on current characterization pipelines and operational needs from decision-makers. Assist in the establishment of a mechanism to ensure alignment to TAS milestones and requirements while ensuring progress is synchronized and contributes towards high level strategic goals. Assist in establishing a TAS cycle as a mechanism for iterative S&T analysis and feedback for senior leaders and stakeholders facilitating prioritization activities. Assist in developing a data architecture for TAS through the assessment of capabilities against operational needs and identify future program development. Assist in incorporating data and information sources from TAS efforts enabling integration and analysis synthesizing products to effectively communicate information to decision-makers. Provide technical expertise and advise to the Government on TAS S&T efforts.

Required:

• MS in a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field
• 10 years of experience in application of scientific principles involving Chemical Biological (CB) threat characterization
• 5 years serving in a leadership role (Principal Investigator Team Lead etc.)
• Experience working with national strategy and doctrine development or implementation
• Experience within the CBDP enterprise (JPEO National Labs DoD Service Labs DHS DARPA BARDA)
• DoD Secret clearance with ability to gain Top Secret (TS) clearance
• Able to work fully onsite based on client needs

Desired:

• PhD in a STEM field and 10 years of related experience
• Published author or co-author of scientific papers
• Broad understanding of DTRA RDs mission and organization
• Current DoD TS clearance