Behavioral Science Expert

Leidos•Seaside, CA

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

Leidos Health & Services Sector is seeking a Behavioral Science Expert to support the Department of Defense’s personnel testing and assessment mission by providing senior behavioral science leadership across research, psychometrics, test development, and evaluation activities. The role contributes directly to the development, administration, and continuous improvement of assessments used to classify and select individuals for military service. This job posting is in anticipation of future work The contract provides comprehensive scientific, analytic, and operational support to the DoD for the development, administration, evaluation, and continuous improvement of its personnel testing and assessment programs. Support includes behavioral science research, psychometric analysis, test development, operational test administration, data collection, statistical modeling, and technical assistance for computer-based and paper-and-pencil testing systems—including the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), language proficiency tests, and other accession-related assessments. The contractor delivers research studies, analytic products, test specifications, scoring algorithms, technical documentation, and system support to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, and operational effectiveness of DoD’s testing enterprise used to classify and select individuals for military service.

Requirements

Uniquely skilled and nationally known experts in a behavioral science field as demonstrated through publications, conference presentations, committee participation, and professional society leadership (APA, SIOP, NCME, AERA).
Ph.D. in a behavioral science field (e.g., Psychology, Cognitive Science, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Educational Measurement, Human Factors)
15+ years relevant experience in large-scale assessment programs, particularly high-stakes, high-volume testing environments.
Prior experience leading psychometric design, test lifecycle management, and validity research for adaptive, hybrid, or multidimensional assessments.
Demonstrated success influencing executive-level stakeholders, scientific review boards, and policy-making entities.
Experience leading interdisciplinary teams of psychometricians, behavioral scientists, analysts, and software engineers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Demonstrated ability to work independently as a member or leader of a team.
Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and manage own work and the work of others.
Demonstrated commitment to meeting high standards for product and service quality.
Desire to learn and develop inventive methods that respond to client needs.
Ability to establish methodological vision, guide long-term research strategy, and oversee complex behavioral science initiatives involving measurement, validation, and policy integration.
Ability to present complex technical information to senior DoD leadership, interagency groups, and scientific panels with clarity and authority.
Ability to integrate behavioral science, psychometrics, analytics, and technology to support adaptive testing innovations.
Must possess or be able to obtain a DoD Common Access Card (CAC) and successfully complete a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint check and a National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI) check.
US Citizenship is required.
Candidate must be located or willing to relocate within commuting distance of Seaside, CA.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with or within the DoD.
Familiarity with DTAC and its mission and objectives.
Knowledge of military accession, recruiting, and classification processes.
Mastery of Item Response Theory (IRT), Classical Test Theory (CTT), multidimensional models, test equating, scaling, form construction, and automated item assembly.
Expert understanding of APA, AERA, NCME testing standards; Human Subjects Protection; and defensible documentation practices.

Responsibilities

Apply psychological principles to DoD personnel issues.
Develop and refine tests (like the ASVAB) for selection, classification, and career guidance, considering behavioral indicators.
Use metrics to inform policy and understand personnel trends.
Lead conceptualization of advanced assessment research and measurement models.
Provide expert oversight of psychometrics, validation, and construct development.
Advise leadership on emerging behavioral science trends affecting assessment programs.
Ensure scientific rigor and quality across behavioral science deliverables.
Mentor senior and junior behavioral staff.