Applied Researcher

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Arlington, VA, US

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

Position:Applied Research and Analytic Products Specialist / Applied Research & Policy Translation Specialist

Location
: 100% onsite, Arlington, VA

Clearance
:
Active Secret

We are seeking an Applied Research professional to lead the development of policy-relevant products that translate social science theory and evidence into clear, actionable formats for Government audiences. In this role, you will manage the administrative, logistical, and technical workflow for Analytic Source Documents (ASDs), collaborate with researchers and reviewers, and help ensure every product is rigorous, standardized, and ready for strategic use.

All deliverables and recommendations are subject to final Government review, approval, and formal acceptance.

• Develop applied research frameworks: Formulate and recommend methodologies and procedural workflows that capture the practice-relevant implications of academic theory and evidence in ASDs, subject to final Government approval.
• Coordinate an expert methodology panel: Provide administrative, technical, and logistical support for a Government-approved panel of two to three policy researchers or social scientists with extensive government and policy-translation experience. Facilitate methodological refinement and peer-review recommendations for the initial ASD portfolio.
• Create training materials: Design and deliver resources that teach Government-selected scholars effective policy-translation techniques and promote rigorous, standardized research products structured for strategic use.
• Recommend research priorities: Apply subject-matter expertise to identify core security cooperation concepts and operational challenges where applied research could provide strategic value, for Government selection and approval.
• Develop and coordinate ASDs: Draft and compile Analytic Source Documents directly and/or manage the technical and administrative workflow for Government-selected external researchers.
• Manage quality and delivery: Track draft milestones, conduct technical and policy-translation reviews, and prepare administrative support packages such as draft template Government agreements and scheduling documents for official review and signature. This role does not have authority to execute agreements or formally bind the Government.
• Test AI-enabled workflows: Use approved Government generative AI tools to create alternative test versions of accepted documents, administer a Government-approved double-blind peer-review protocol, and deliver comparative findings to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

• Experience translating academic or social science research into policy-relevant, decision-ready products.
• Strong knowledge of applied research methods, methodological design, and peer-review processes.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate researchers, subject-matter experts, reviewers, and Government stakeholders across complex workflows.
• Excellent research, writing, editing, and quality-assurance skills.
• Ability to develop training materials and explain policy-translation methods clearly to scholarly audiences.
• Familiarity with security cooperation concepts and operational challenges.
• Experience evaluating AI-assisted research or document-production workflows using controlled review protocols.
• Strong project management, milestone tracking, scheduling, and administrative coordination skills.

You combine methodological rigor with practical judgment and can move complex research…