Experimental Psychologist / Human Factors Researcher

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:
The Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland is a University-Affiliated Research Center (UARC) dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and technology transition to improve decision making for U.S. national security. ARLIS combines deep scientific expertise with operational insight to address challenges in intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence / machine learning, quantum science, and human-machine teaming. Researchers, scientists, engineers, and analysts at ARLIS collaborate with government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions to deliver actionable insights and transformative solutions through research and development. Employees at ARLIS work on projects of critical importance, contribute directly to the nation’s security, and are supported by a culture that values integrity, collaboration, and professional growth.

The Experimental Psychologist supports ARLIS’ expanding research portfolio in intelligent human-machine systems, human performance and readiness augmentation, and decision support technologies for national security applications. The role contributes to the successful execution of federally funded programs requiring expertise in human systems integration, computational modeling of cognition and behavior, and experimental research at the intersection of AI and human performance.

Key Responsibilities:
- Support deliverable development
- Support qualitative interviews data collection and analytic methods
- Develop workflows based on cognitive task analyses results
- Support the software development team’s user experience tasking.
- Support human data collection by leveraging expertise in human subjects research, neurophysiological measurements, or signal processing, along with strong statistical and programming language skills.
- Support business development efforts related to Human Performance & Readiness Augmentation Mission Area, especially scoping funding sources through sponsor engagements and funding source evaluations, developing ideas with IHMS teammates, and drafting/socializing white papers with sponsors.

Must be able to obtain a U.S. security clearance. If selected, you must meet the requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to a government security clearance investigation that includes criminal and credit history checks, as well as verification of U.S. citizenship, birth, education, employment, and military history.

Final offer is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to successfully obtain the necessary interim Secret security clearance, as determined by the U.S. Government, prior to commencing employment.


Physical Demands:
Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment; exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Ability to attend meetings both on and off campus. Spending long hours in front of a computer screen.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Master's or PhD in human factors psychology, experimental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, or related discipline with foundational knowledge of behavioral science research methods.
• Experience leading significant portions of applied research projects.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage one’s own work independently while contributing to/leading projects in a team context.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work at least 3 days on-site in College Park, MD

Preferences:
• Active or recently active DoD/DoW Top Secret (TS) Clearance strongly preferred
• Experience leading DoW/DoD applied research projects as Principal Investigator, Technical lead, Technical Program Manager, or similar function.
• Minimum of five (5) years of post-MA/MS work experience or minimum of three (3) years of post-PhD work experience
• Experience collecting and analyzing physiological data from human subjects
• Qualitative semi-structured interview experience (e.g., Cognitive Task Analysis)

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Minimum Qualifications

The prefix Visiting before an academic title shall be used to designate a short-term professorial appointment without tenure. In addition to a proven record of excellence in managing and directing an academic or research program, the appointee shall hold a Ph.D. or have at least 5 years of full-time experience as a Senior Faculty Specialist, or its equivalent.

Additional Job Details

Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, List of References

Best Consideration Date: 10/9/26

Posting Close Date: N/A

Open Until Filled: Yes

Department

VPR-Applied Research Lab for Intelligence & Security

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular

Salary Range

$150,000 - $200,000

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

Resources

• Learn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net Online