Military Operational Health Research Specialist

RTI International•Raleigh, NC

2d•$107,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Military Operational Health Research Specialist will lead the planning, execution, and oversight of activities focused on the evaluation, integration, and implementation of Warfighter Brain Health initiatives, including cognitive monitoring and assessment technologies, within Department of War (DoW) operational environments. This role combines traditional research expertise with direct military medical and field experience and serves as a lead for user evaluation, military engagement, training development, field data collection, and coordination with military units. The position will work across civilian research leadership, military stakeholders, RTI teams, and subcontractors to support effective protocol implementation and operational execution in high-tempo military environments. Due to the nature of the work and the need for frequent engagement with military units and field activities, this position is expected to be based in the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg, North Carolina area.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Kinesiology, Military Science, or a related field and at least 8 years of direct active-duty military medical experience in a role such as U.S. Army Combat Medic/68W, Special Operations Medic/18D, Navy Corpsman/8404, Air Force Aerospace Medical Technician/4N0X1, or a comparable military medical specialty; or a Master’s degree in one of these or a related field and at least 6 years of relevant experience. In lieu of a formal degree, 12 years of relevant experience may be considered.
At least 4 years of active-duty military medical experience as a combat medic or in a comparable military medical role, or completion of advanced military medical training, with documented experience providing point-of-injury care in field or deployed environments.
Experience applying military medical or tactical operational experience to structured research activities involving unit-level health, human performance, combat casualty care, or a related area.
Experience designing, implementing, or leading research protocols and field data collection within active-duty military units and/or military training environments.
Demonstrated leadership experience within a tactical military unit and strong working knowledge of military unit dynamics, command structures, operational workflows, and terminology.
Experience conducting or overseeing real-time field data collection and maintaining research protocol compliance in military operational environments.
Demonstrated ability to work directly with military leaders, Government stakeholders, research teams, and other partners in complex field-based environments.
Strong project leadership, communication, coordination, and client-facing skills, including the ability to manage schedules, risks, deliverables, and multidisciplinary activities.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require, now or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status, etc.).

Nice To Haves

Experience leading military health, human performance, or operational research efforts involving direct engagement with military units and Government stakeholders.
Experience supporting DoW programs or other military operational research initiatives.
Experience with Warfighter Brain Health initiatives, cognitive performance monitoring or assessment technologies, digital health technologies, or related research areas.
Experience managing multidisciplinary research and subcontractor teams conducting field-based data collection or user evaluations.
Advanced military medical training, such as Joint Operations Special Medical Training, a combat paramedic course, or comparable advanced training.

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day planning and execution of military health, human performance, and operational research activities, including user evaluations and field-based data collection.
Design, implement, and oversee research protocols conducted within active-duty military units and/or military training environments, ensuring protocol compliance and high-quality data collection.
Direct field operations and multidisciplinary RTI and subcontractor teams responsible for participant engagement, data collection, training, and military site coordination.
Serve as a primary liaison between civilian research leadership and military unit leaders, using knowledge of military hierarchy, terminology, command structures, and operational workflows to support effective engagement and participation.
Coordinate military site visits, unit-level engagements, schedules, budgets, risks, deliverables, and other operational requirements.
Serve as a primary client interface and provide regular updates on project status, technical progress, operational activities, risks, and mitigation strategies.
Translate tactical military medical and operational experience into structured research approaches focused on unit-level health, human performance, combat casualty care, and related operational research priorities.
Operate independently and effectively in field and military unit environments while maintaining strong working relationships with unit leadership, Government stakeholders, research partners, and project teams.

Benefits

competitive base salary
generous paid time off policy
merit based annual increases
bonus opportunities
robust recognition program
competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability)
access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan
paid parental leave for all parents
financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments
financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities
an employee assistance program
numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance