Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychologist

DCS Corporation (DCS) is an employee-owned organization that performs challenging state-of-the-art research and technological development to strengthen our nation’s defense and security.  We conduct research and development projects in partnership with our Department of Defense (DoD) customers in a variety of high demand application areas, such as Personnel Selection, Human-Machine Teaming, Human Systems Engineering, and Modeling, Simulation and Analysis. We provide innovative solutions with our multidisciplinary teams formed with exceptional employees.

We currently have an opportunity for an Industrial-Organizational (I-O) psychologist to join our team. The I-O psychologist will be working on projects to improve the selection and classification of military applicants, as well as on enhancing the state-of-the-art of proficiency-based training. Additional duties may include literature reviews, competency modeling, human performance measurement, assessment development, and training design. This role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a growing area of research, present research at conferences, and publish in multiple venues.

Essential Job Functions :

Lead, plan, and execute applied research studies focused on improving current and future Air Force and Space Force personnel selection, classification, and training systems.

Provide technical supervision, organization, and mentorship to junior research team members.

Conduct statistical analyses using R or Python programming language.

Conduct literature reviews, produce technical reports, and presentations detailing research efforts, results, and conclusions.

Provide recommendations and guidance to customers and other stakeholders.

Present research findings at conferences and other venues as appropriate.

Job Functions of Specific Projects to Which You May be Assigned :

Provide literature-based and evidence-driven recommendations for assessments to measure critical competencies for officers in various career fields (e.g., cyber, intelligence, space).

Based on the recommendations and best practices, develop and validate high-stakes assessments. This includes item writing, planning and overseeing data collection, item analysis, and scoring.

Validate new assessments and perform psychometric evaluation of cognitive and non-cognitive assessments and transfer of training.

Conduct training needs assessments and creating innovative instructional content.

Required Skills :

Due to the sensitivity of customer requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

The ability to obtain a NAC is required.

PhD in Industrial / Organizational (I / O) Psychology or a related technical discipline and 4 years of relevant experience (preferred), or Master’s and 6 years of related experience.

Expertise in assessment development, personnel selection, and psychometrics is required.

Proficiency in performing Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses. Types of statistical analyses include (but are not limited to) : Hierarchical Regression / Multiple Regression, Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses, Structural Equations Modeling, Analysis of Variance, Differential Item Functioning, and dichotomous and polytomous IRT models.

Proficiency in R or Python and in Microsoft Office Suite and virtual collaboration software (e.g. Microsoft Teams).

Experience documenting research results, writing research proposals, preparing and delivering technical presentations, and writing technical reports.

Ability to lead a project from start to finish, including planning project activities, assigning tasks to project team, organizing project artifacts, communicating with team members and customers, assuring adherence to project schedule, and delivering high quality reports and other required deliverables.

Ability to work on several projects simultaneously with minimal supervision.

Ability to work in a highly collaborative virtual team environment with a geographically distributed team.

Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts, research findings, and recommendations to a broader audience of stakeholders, including laypeople.