Biologist Job Listing at SPA in Fort Belvoir, VA (Job ID 21702)

Description

Overview 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, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted. The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division (JOID) provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues. JOID assists the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in developing leading edge technologies to counter WMD in support of Combatant Commands (CCMDs) and transitioning these technologies to military services CCMDs. SPA provides expertise across the full range of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives (CBRNE) WMD, Counter Improvised Threat and Countering Threat Network technologies to support understanding, detection, identification, characterization, denial, control, disabling, defeating, disposing, safeguarding the force, managing consequences, and test and evaluation in support of military and civilian operations. We have an immediate need for a Biologist to provide onsite support out of SPA's Lorton Facility near Ft Belvoir, VA. Responsibilities The Technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) will support the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Research and Development-Chemical Biological Department (RD-CB), Enabling Science (CBE) Division. The candidate will assist in monitoring research projects, with a grasp of emerging advances in CB threat characterization. Apply an understanding of DoD initiatives aimed at closing knowledge gaps by supporting foundational chemical/biological research, hazard assessment, and translation of reporting into S&T activities to enable operational threat characterization and provide decision advantage to warfighters. Utilize a broad understanding of Chem Bio Defense Program (CBDP) capability gaps and assist the Government with decision-making and program, project, and product-level strategies and priorities, ensuring portfolios are responsive and mapped to program goals. The candidate will assist the Government in analyzing, developing, and presenting strategic alignments, recommendations, and requirements to support the Branch's portfolio integration team and the Division's vision and mission. Apply critical understanding of the Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO) transition process, military end-users, and partner developers. Help review national doctrine and planning documents to advise on their application, portfolio alignment, as well as advisement on editing these documents. Assist in reviewing proposals across multiple portfolios, review technical reports, read experimental or theoretical techniques, scientific studies, and statements of work to advise the team on technical validity and to evaluate current and future CB technologies. Stay abreast of current novel S&T in the field as well as programmatic skills to trace TAS capabilities to stakeholder requirements. Demonstrate expertise in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field to be able to aptly provide guidance and advisement on technical trajectory. Qualifications Required: Master's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) or related technical field 5+ years of experience in application of scientific principles involving Chemical Biological (CB) threat characterization Experience working with national strategy and doctrine development or implementation Experience within the CBDP enterprise (JPEO, National Labs, DoD Service Labs, DHS, DARPA, BARDA) Active DoD Secret clearance with ability to gain Top Secret (TS) clearance Able to work fully onsite based on client needs Desired: PhD in a STEM field Published author or co-author on scientific papers Broad understanding of DTRA RD's mission and organization Active DoD Top Secret clearance

Qualifications

Required: Master's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) or related technical field 5+ years of experience in application of scientific principles involving Chemical Biological (CB) threat characterization Experience working with national strategy and doctrine development or implementation Experience within the CBDP enterprise (JPEO, National Labs, DoD Service Labs, DHS, DARPA, BARDA) Active DoD Secret clearance with ability to gain Top Secret (TS) clearance Able to work fully onsite based on client needs Desired: PhD in a STEM field Published author or co-author on scientific papers Broad understanding of DTRA RD's mission and organization Active DoD Top Secret clearance

Responsibilities

The Technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) will support the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Research and Development-Chemical Biological Department (RD-CB), Enabling Science (CBE) Division. The candidate will assist in monitoring research projects, with a grasp of emerging advances in CB threat characterization. Apply an understanding of DoD initiatives aimed at closing knowledge gaps by supporting foundational chemical/biological research, hazard assessment, and translation of reporting into S&T activities to enable operational threat characterization and provide decision advantage to warfighters. Utilize a broad understanding of Chem Bio Defense Program (CBDP) capability gaps and assist the Government with decision-making and program, project, and product-level strategies and priorities, ensuring portfolios are responsive and mapped to program goals. The candidate will assist the Government in analyzing, developing, and presenting strategic alignments, recommendations, and requirements to support the Branch's portfolio integration team and the Division's vision and mission. Apply critical understanding of the Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO) transition process, military end-users, and partner developers. Help review national doctrine and planning documents to advise on their application, portfolio alignment, as well as advisement on editing these documents. Assist in reviewing proposals across multiple portfolios, review technical reports, read experimental or theoretical techniques, scientific studies, and statements of work to advise the team on technical validity and to evaluate current and future CB technologies. Stay abreast of current novel S&T in the field as well as programmatic skills to trace TAS capabilities to stakeholder requirements. Demonstrate expertise in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field to be able to aptly provide guidance and advisement on technical trajectory.