Historian - DPAA Labs

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking an Historian to gather historical data from various sources to answer questions about historical events. The Historian will collect and evaluate source information from written records, physical artifacts, and other types of evidence during their investigations and analyze and interpret historical information to determine its authenticity and significance.

This position will be part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Lab Support Services. The DPAA is the US Department of Defense Agency responsible for the recovery and identification of fallen US service members from WWII to the Gulf war. Its mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting of missing personnel to their families and the nation. To accomplish this, the DPAA executes recovery missions worldwide, and recovered material is analyzed in the state‑of‑the‑art DPAA laboratory.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners.

HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• Performs complex historical research into casualty resolution and unidentified remains interred in U.S. cemeteries.
• Assignments include a variety of duties, including documentary research, oral histories, secondary source readings, geographically bound studies, cemetery analyses, case narratives, reports of findings, and briefings to agency leadership.
• Builds and develops recommendations to disinter unidentified remains from past conflicts, with the goal of pursuing all avenues towards exhumation and identification.
• Assists with communications with foreign representatives/embassies and casualty/mortuary offices.
• Occasionally travels nationally for Family Member Updates (FMUs) and occasionally internationally for field investigations or other activities as required by agency leadership.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.

• Master's Degree in history or related field. Doctoral Degree preferred.
• Minimum of 6-8 years experience required.

• Familiarity with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), reporting requirements and case management systems
• Experience with data base systems and client processes
• Demonstrated knowledge of client's accounting practices and processes.
• A strong understanding of History of Science and/or World War II, Korean War, or Vietnam War with specialist knowledge of the Indo‑Pacific Theater.
• At least five years of professional historical research experience (includes educational experience).
• Experience with archival research.
• Strong written and oral communication skills evidenced by publication and conference presentation record.
• Knowledge of relevant primary and secondary source material.
• Possess a broad knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of historical research and analysis as gained through graduate education in history and relevant job experience.
• Possess the ability to conduct research on a diverse array of cases with scattered and scant source material.
• Possess the ability to apply flexible approaches and versatility to conducting research.
• Knowledge of professional writing styles based on professional experience.
• Exceptional abilities in oral and written communication, and the ability to provide written products quickly and in formats tailored for varied audiences.
• Possess strong attention to detail and excellent recordkeeping skills.
• Possess the ability to prioritize responsibilities, multi‑task, and work well under pressure.
• Ability to obtain and…