Job Overview

This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 09 December 2024.

The Cognitive Models Branch of the 711 th Human Performance Wing within the Air Force Research Laboratory (711 HPW/RHWE) seeks to hire a qualified individual to support a cross-disciplinary team with the development of data analytic and mining representations of human multisensory perception and behavior in the information environment in support of the creation of computational models and engineering solutions that inform decision-making processing in military environments.

Position Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Applies statistical models, machine learning algorithms, and data mining techniques to large datasets representing human perception (auditory, visual, tactile, etc.), human cognitive and social processing, and online behavior.
• Including the integration of multiple models to predict performance outcomes, mission effectiveness, and socio-cultural phenomena.
• Performs feature reduction analysis to determine salient features for creation of accurate models representing human decision-making.
• Generates predictive models of interactions of phenomena (e.g., stressors, online influence) and human performance to understand the influence of the environment on decision-making, performance, and behavior.
• Generates documentation of code and models to include Model Based Systems Engineering representations to support cross-model integration.
• Stays up to date with the latest advancements in data science and machine learning to continuously improve methodologies and drive innovation.
• Utilizes excellent oral and written communication skills, demonstrates project leadership and team-building skills.
• Serves as technical expert and/or committee member for special studies, projects, task forces, or professional organizations as assigned.

Written Communication:

• Documents information, concepts, and ideas in a clear, concise, well-organized, accurate and timely manner.
• Develops and prepares briefings and other documentation for the Line of Efforts (LOEs) as required.
• Creates and tracks a work breakdown structure for projects with achievable milestones and deliverables.
• Documents notes and action items from critical meetings and reviews as required.
• Responds to taskers in a timely manner.

Oral Communication:

• Presents information, concepts, and ideas in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner.
• Interacts with senior leadership, technical subject-matter experts, R&D organizations, and/or customers on 711 HPW projects/programs.
• Actively listens to co-worker/teammate questions, ideas, and concerns and considers diverse viewpoints, clarifies information, and adjusts actions and behaviors as needed.

Problem Solving:

• Resolves issues involving uncertainty, rapidly changing requirements, and competing requirements.
• Resolves issues with conflicting guidance and regulations to increase employee productivity and program compliance.
• Makes improvements, solves problems, and/or takes corrective action when problems arise in supporting the Line of Efforts (LOEs).

Teamwork:

• Cultivates a professional, respectful environment of cooperation, cohesion and teamwork that promotes the expression of contrary views.
• Collaborates with personnel from other functional units (finance, contracting, etc.) and other technical areas of an organization to accomplish work-related activities.
• Gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for telework opportunities; as determined by agency policy

Remote Work (CONUS)

No, this position is not approved for remote work.

Required Qualifications

• United States Citizenship
• Males must be registered for Selective Service
• These are Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) positions and require a Level 2 certification (Practitioner). The selectees will have 24 months to meet APDP requirements or a waiver must be obtained.
• These positions may be filled as a 5-year Flexible Length and Renewable Term Technical Appointment (new government hires, current government term employees, etc.) with the option to later convert to a permanent appointment.
• Security Clearance: The incumbent of these positions must possess or be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

• Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade of position being advertised, or equivalent in other pay systems.
• Applicants must also meet the Basic Qualification requirements for the following series: DR-1310-01, DR-1520-01, DR-1560-01

To view the Individual Occupational Requirements for this position, click on the following links:

Physics Series 1310

Mathematics Series 1520

Data Science Series 1560

Desired Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Acquisitions (KSAs):

• BS with a focus on data analytics or data engineering.
• Experience or willingness to learn Model Based Systems Engineering methods, best practices, SysML, and visualization programs for the development of MBSE representations of computational and cognitive models.
• Experience or willingness to learn techniques for characterizing influence (e.g., novel NLP algorithms, forecasting models, dynamic network analysis) on multiple social media platforms with multiple types of data (e.g., text, short form videos, audio data etc.) to examine online behaviors such as grassroot movements, information campaigns, algorithmic deception, etc.
• Experience with applied research using machine learning models of human behavioral systems is beneficial.
• Comfortable in multiple programming languages/environments (e.g., Python, Matlab, R, C#, Java, Julia, etc.).
• Excellent time and project management skills.

When uploading documents, please utilize the naming convention listed below.

Resume: Req No_Last Name_First Name_Resume

Transcripts: Req No_Last Name_First Name_Transcripts

Acceptable file types: .doc,.docx,.pdf

(Requisition No: 54163)

Series

1310

1520

1560

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) employs approximately 11,500 military, civilian and contractor personnel, and manages a $7 billion portfolio of investments. The lab supports external customers and partners with industry while investing in basic research, applied research and advanced technology development. As one integrated lab, AFRL seamlessly supports the Science & Technology needs of two services: the Air Force and the Space Force.