Director of Human Performance Optimization

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$145,000 - $185,000

About The Position

The University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies seeks a Director of Human Performance Optimization to lead applied research programs that improve service member and unit readiness, performance, training effectiveness, and decision superiority. The Director will provide scientific and technical leadership for Department of War-sponsored research across human performance, physiological and behavioral monitoring, technology-enabled training, performance assessment, adaptive learning, and operational decision-making. The role translates basic and applied research into practical tools, measures, and training approaches that address sponsor needs across Navy, Marine Corps, and other Department of War organizations. The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary research teams, develop and transition applied science and technology solutions, manage complex research portfolios, and collaborate with government, academic, and industry partners. The Director will pursue research funding; develop proposals; oversee research planning, execution, analysis, and reporting; disseminate findings through sponsor engagements, technical reports, publications, and presentations; mentor researchers and technical staff; and build partnerships across USC, government laboratories, operational communities, academia, and industry. The role requires a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline and at least 10 years of progressively responsible research-program leadership experience. The annual base salary range is $145,000 to $185,000. USC describes ICT as offering engaging projects with real-life impact, small project teams with involvement across the project lifecycle, work-life balance, opportunities for free university education for employees and their children, a Silicon Beach location, and benefits including medical coverage and matched retirement. USC is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

Requirements

Doctoral degree in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, physiology, kinesiology, biomedical engineering, human factors, learning sciences, computer science, or a closely related discipline; combined experience and education may substitute for minimum education according to the posting.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience leading basic, applied, or translational research programs; combined education and experience may substitute for minimum experience according to the posting.
Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-year research projects involving government, academic, and/or industry partners.
Demonstrated ability to develop research proposals and secure or support acquisition of externally funded research.
Substantial expertise in at least one core domain: human performance, physiological monitoring, training and education, cognitive performance, decision-making, performance assessment, human factors, or a related field.
Experience designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting human-subjects research or operationally relevant performance research.
Record of peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, or other recognized research products.
Ability to communicate complex technical findings clearly to scientific, technical, and senior government audiences.
Demonstrated team leadership, mentorship, project-management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of Department of War research priorities, organizations, acquisition or transition processes, and operational customer requirements related to readiness, training, human performance, or force development.
Education and experience directly related to the field of research, expert knowledge of the field and statistical research, and fundraising expertise.
U.S. citizenship is required for security-clearance eligibility.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting Navy, Marine Corps, or other Department of War human-performance, training, readiness, or operational communities.
Experience integrating wearable, physiological, behavioral, cognitive, or performance data to assess readiness or predict performance outcomes.
Experience developing or evaluating adaptive training, artificial intelligence-enabled learning tools, simulations, serious games, virtual reality, or other technology-based training systems.
Experience with decision-making research, expertise development, performance feedback, or assessment of individuals and teams in complex operational settings.
Experience transitioning research products, measures, training systems, or decision-support capabilities to government sponsors or operational users.
Experience serving as a principal investigator, research program manager, technical integration lead, or equivalent senior technical leader.
Experience leading portfolios with multiple performers across government, academia, and industry.
Familiarity with research governance requirements, including human-subjects protections and data-management practices.
Active security clearance, or ability to obtain and maintain a clearance as required by assigned projects.

Responsibilities

Lead applied research programs focused on human performance, readiness, training, assessment, and operational decision-making.
Define technical strategy and research priorities with sponsors, ICT leadership, and external collaborators.
Develop, submit, and manage proposals and funded projects for Department of War, federal, and related sponsors.
Direct multidisciplinary teams of researchers, engineers, data scientists, developers, and external performers throughout project execution.
Design and oversee rigorous studies involving physiological, cognitive, behavioral, and performance data.
Guide development and validation of wearable-monitoring approaches, performance measures, training technologies, and decision-support tools as applicable to the portfolio.
Translate research findings into products, recommendations, prototypes, training interventions, and transition plans for operational stakeholders.
Establish and sustain relationships with Navy, Marine Corps, and broader Department of War research, acquisition, training, and operational communities.
Produce peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, briefings, and other research products.
Present research findings and demonstrate project capabilities at sponsor meetings, government installations, professional conferences, and other venues.
Mentor junior staff, contribute to workforce development, and foster an interdisciplinary, mission-focused research environment.
Ensure research complies with applicable institutional, sponsor, human-subjects, data-handling, and records-management requirements.