Associate Scientist, DVCIPM

About the Role

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is seeking an Associate Scientist to develop and conduct research projects in support of the Defense & Veterans Consortium for Integrative Pain Management (DVCIPM). This role will support ongoing projects involving pain, pain management, and suicide in the military health system, a biobank study, and new project development in pain and mental health.

Key Responsibilities

• Assists in developing new protocols in coordination with the Center Director, Scientific Director, and other Investigators.
• Participates as a Co- and Principal Investigator with responsibility over aspects of protocol research and development.
• Assists in the design and edit of protocols, provides input concerning clinical aspects, and discusses findings/recommendations with the Principal Investigator.
• Works with the Scientific Director to coordinate and prepare new grant and funding applications.
• Supports/participates in program-wide initiatives (e.g., pilot/outcome study projects, research initiatives).
• Develops reports and presents research findings at local and national meetings.
• Assists in the preparation of research articles for publication in scientific journals.
• Makes contributions to scientific literature and conferences via manuscript submissions and presentations.
• Supports positive relationships with multidisciplinary collaborators for novel lines of research inquiry.
• Appropriately selects research questions, study design, and clinical inquiry.
• Supports the DVCIPM Pain Registry Biobank with projects involving biological samples (e.g., saliva, blood/phlebotomy) for biomarker and neuroendocrine analyses.
• Integrates peripheral biological measures (e.g., salivary biomarkers, autonomic measures, genetic/epigenetic markers) into research designs assessing stress, pain, and trauma-related outcomes.
• Administers and interprets standardized neuropsychological batteries, cognitive tests, and structured diagnostic interviews (e.g., SCID-5, C-SSRS, cognitive performance measures) for clinical research participants.
• Oversees quality control and clinical fidelity for psychiatric, suicide risk, and cognitive assessment protocols in clinical trial settings.
• Supports design and implementation of experimental behavioral stress paradigms (e.g., TSST), sleep/circadian protocols (e.g., PSG, EEG), and real-time intensive longitudinal protocols (e.g., EMA).
• Assists in data analysis, power analyses, and conducting analyses once a reporting database is created.
• Interprets results based on historical and recent empirical literature and clinical expertise.
• Maintains proficiency with respect to clinical psychology and in applying clinical knowledge to new and varied research questions.
• Provides statistical support via study design, data analyses, and results interpretation throughout studies.
• Assists in the preparation of study reports for presentations and publications.
• Conducts complex statistical analyses including Longitudinal Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM), and Growth Curve Modeling (GCM) using software such as R or SAS.
• Investigates the feasibility of applying scientific principles and concepts to potential inventions, products, and problems.
• Develops new technologies and protocols.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Clinical mental health treatment experience required.
• Knowledge of applicable scientific procedures and techniques required.
• Excellent communication skills required.
• Knowledge in statistical analyses.
• Proficiency in statistical software and data platforms (e.g., R, MPlus, SAS, SPSS, REDCap).
• Proficiency with scientific writing.
• Ability to work independently.
• Familiarity with specialized bio-behavioral data collection protocols (EEG/PSG, salivary/blood biomarkers).
• Ability to obtain a T1/Public Trust background check.

Qualifications

• Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology required.

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in an office setting.

Compensation

• The salary range for this position is $61,000-$85,000. 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.