Research Scientist (Fort Bragg) - TBICOE

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Research Scientist who will assist with formulating experimental hypotheses and designing experimental and other study protocols. The incumbent will assist in developing DoD/TBICoE gap driven clinical research studies, protocols, scientific processes, and analyses; will interpret and execute experimental and other study data as requested. They will proactively coordinate with other technical, professional, and operational staff and prepare documents, written reports, and/or manuscripts for submission to scientific journals. Completes other projects as needed related to TBICoE clinical research efforts.

This position will be in support of the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence (TBICoE) at Fort Bragg, NC. TBICoE is a branch of the Research Support Division in the Research and Engineering Directorate (R&E) of the Defense Health Agency (DHA). DHA is a Federal Program within the Department of Defense (DoD). TBICoE, known previously as the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), has been congressionally mandated since 1992 and is currently a matrixed research, dissemination, and knowledge translation program, supporting warfighter brain health and readiness by advancing the traumatic brain injury state of the science and clinical standards.

TBICoE's mission to support the warfighter is executed through subject matter experts embedded across DHA facilities with expertise in TBI clinical research investigations, surveillance, clinical tool development and training, cognitive monitoring and assessment, and dissemination of TBI tools, products, and education/training materials to DoD medical personnel, service members, including Guard, Reserve, and operational medics/corpsmen, veterans with TBI, and families/caregivers of the warfighter.

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.

• Leads and/or assists in the development of clinical research investigations, studies, and projects and executes all necessary responsibilities related to these efforts. May serve as a Principal or Associate Investigator on TBICoE clinical research studies.
• Investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific methodologies and concepts to promising TBI or brain health products and technologies. Works closely with research epidemiologists and statistical data analysts early in any project to formulate appropriate project aims and parameters.
• Assists with formulating experimental hypotheses, aims, and endpoints; designs experimental and other study protocols.
• If relevant, develops relationships with operational communities at/near the site to identify any needs that can be addressed through research efforts, as well as any opportunities for translating research to the field.
• Prepares requests for actions/proposals to include assisting with objective peer-review of internal TBICoE scientific content and/or external grant proposal applications, documentation, and requirements. Facilitates the flow and approval processes for relevant projects as needed and requested.
• Assists in developing, testing, and/or validating necessary new technologies, protocols, and processes; analyzes and interprets experimental and other study data; coordinates with other technical and professional staff.
• Prepares documents, written reports, manuscripts for submission to scientific journals and completes other projects as needed. May facilitate high-level database coding, SPSS syntax writing, statistical analyses, manuscript writing, slide decks or posters and abstracts for conference presentations, etc.
• Provides collaborative assistance to SCRDs, other Research Scientists, and relevant HQ staff across offices and across the Research and NDC Networks. Facilitates research productivity with a larger group of multidisciplinary research collaborators.
• Assists in the development, implementation and maintenance of partnerships with patients, health care providers, researchers, family members, line leaders, community groups/resources, and stakeholders relevant to the prevention, care, and rehabilitation of TBI, brain health, blast effects, and/or cognitive monitoring as applicable.
• May work with clinic partners/team on TBI and clinically-relevant program/ project improvement initiatives at the site. Presents TBICoE's clinical research findings at internal and external scientific meetings.
• Attends and participates in scholarly, academic and scientific meetings related to TBI, brain health, or other emerging neurological conditions. When requested, disseminates pertinent information obtained from conference attendance to ensure TBICoE remains apprised of scientific developments in brain health and TBI.
• Works with the NDCs to disseminate findings from studies to relevant clinical and operational communities (locally and throughout the DHA) in alignment with HQ-driven Dissemination and Implementation plans.
• Contributes to the preparation of manuscripts for publication in TBI and presentation of posters and papers at scientific meetings and relevant military health events.
• Provides support to applicants for research grants or applications for external funding to promote and explain the objectives of the research grant program and ensure application submissions are complete and on time.
• Serves as a TBI research expert, including but not limited to responding to "taskers" or other RFIs from TBICoE Leadership/HQ, drafting relevant EXSUMs or Information Papers, reviewing products in subject matter expertise, and participating on relevant TBICoE calls.
• Other duties consistent with the above responsibilities

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assigned Lead: May recommend the following: employee hiring, disciplinary action, and starting salaries; provide input on employee performance evaluations.

Education and Experience

• Doctorate Degree required (Ph.D., MD) or terminal doctorate degree in related scientific discipline preferred. May consider a Master's level degree with at least 10 years of clinical TBI research experience. Must complete CITI/ HIPAA training.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of clinical research experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Prior experience within the DoD/VA systems of care with neurological disorders and TBI clinical research experience strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of applicable complex scientific procedures and techniques.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical procedures.
• Ability to work independently and supervise others.
• Excellent collaborative skilled required.
• Experience producing data/ manuscripts for publications in peer review journals and/or conducted presentations at professional meetings.
• Experience with writing grants, with a track record of successful grant proposals.
• Must be able to work comfortably with computer software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
• May require US Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a T3/Secret Clearance.

Physical Capabilities

• Lifting: Requires lifting materials up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to stand or sit at a computer for prolonged periods.

Work Environment

• Office, clinical and hospital environment.

Compensation

• The annual salary range for this position is $77,600-$81,300. 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.