Behavioral Scientist

About the role

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, SPA is known for continuous innovation for government customers in the US and abroad. The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division (JOID) provides expert support services across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. SPA's NATO Allied Command Transformation Group within JOID provides capability development, portfolio management, program management, quality management, cost estimation analysis, standardization, reporting, software solutions and information management, and capability management support, including an improved capability requirements capture process over the entire life-cycle from capability definition through realization and usage. This position provides onsite support out of Norfolk, VA for a key NATO project within Allied Command Transformation (ACT).

Responsibilities

• Directly support a key NATO project within Allied Command Transformation (ACT), contributing to the integration of cognitive effects considerations into project development and execution
• Design, conduct, and analyze experiments within the NATO Command Structure and during NATO exercises
• Support the continued development and implementation of the NATO Cognitive Warfare Concept
• Collaborate with the NATO Cognitive Warfare Community of Interest through participation in designated workshops, conferences, and other relevant forums
• Support the design and integration of cognitive and behavioral effects into NATO wargames and exercises, ensuring these considerations are effectively incorporated into operational planning and capability development
• Assist in developing and implementing training initiatives focused on cognitive vulnerabilities and cognitive enhancement at both the individual and whole-force levels
• Collaborate closely with NATO stakeholders to advance cognitive warfare capabilities, strengthen operational effectiveness, and support ACT's broader transformation objectives

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Behavioural Science or a related field
• Technical understanding of human behaviour, cognitive effects, and decision-making processes
• Ability to analyse and model how individuals and target groups respond to various stimuli, including messaging, propaganda, and influence tactics
• Knowledge of psychological theories related to behaviour change, persuasion, and influence
• Experience developing and implementing strategies to influence target audience perceptions, behaviours, and decision-making, particularly within military or political environments
• Understanding of the psychology of persuasion and manipulation, particularly in the digital age and rapidly evolving information environments
• Familiarity with traditional and modern media platforms, including social media and digital communication channels, to support strategic messaging and influence objectives
• Ability to develop and manage complex information campaigns to achieve specific strategic goals
• Active NATO or national Secret clearance
• Valid passport from a NATO member nation with no travel restrictions to NATO countries
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and collaborative software tools
• Able to work fully onsite based on client needs
• 3+ years of relevant experience

Desired

• Strong communication and narrative-building skills, including the ability to construct and deliver compelling narratives aligned with strategic objectives
• Experience creating and disseminating impactful messages that account for cultural, psychological, and contextual factors
• Ability to develop persuasive mixed-media content tailored to diverse audiences, including those with differing or conflicting interests
• Proficiency in analysing large datasets to identify trends in behaviour, sentiment, and cognitive responses
• Experience using behavioural analysis, psychometric, and sentiment analysis tools and software
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary military and civilian teams, integrating insights from diverse disciplines and functional areas

Pay

Virginia pay transparency salary range: USD $120,000.00/Yr. - USD $160,000.00/Yr. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.