Applied Researcher

Organizational-Development-Resource-Group; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Organizational Development Resource Group (ODRG) in Arlington, VA seeks an Applied Researcher to translate social science into policy-ready products for Government audiences. You will manage workflows for Analytic Source Documents, collaborate with researchers, and ensure rigor and standardization for strategic use.

Requirements include a Master’s degree or higher, an active Secret clearance, and experience translating research into policy with strong writing, coordination, and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Statistics, or a related field.
• Active Secret Clearance is required or will be required.
• Experience translating academic or social science research into policy-relevant products.
• Strong proficiency in data analysis and statistical techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop applied research frameworks and methodological workflows for ASDs.
• Coordinate an expert panel of researchers with government experience.
• Create training materials to teach policy-translation techniques.
• Identify research priorities for security cooperation concepts.
• Develop and coordinate Analytic Source Documents with researchers.
• Track milestones, conduct reviews, and prepare admin packages.
• Test AI-enabled workflows and conduct peer-review comparisons.

Skills

Applied research methods

Policy translation

Research coordination

Academic writing

Training materials design

Security cooperation

AI workflow evaluation

Project management

Education

Master’s degree or higher

Social sciences background

Tools

Statistical software

Job description

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.

Applied Researcher

Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Arlington, VA, US

Salary Range: $100,000.00 To $135,000.00 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.

What You’ll Do

• 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).

Who You Are

• 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.

What Success Looks Like

You combine methodological rigor with practical judgment and can move complex research from concept through review to an approved, strategically useful product. You are comfortable balancing independent drafting with collaborative coordination, maintaining disciplined documentation, and operating within formal Government review and approval processes.

What’s Required

• Master’s degree or higher in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Statistics, or a related field.
• An active Secret Clearance. A government background investigation will be conducted on selected applicants to determine whether they qualify for access to classified information.
• Proven experience in designing and conducting applied research within educational settings.
• Strong proficiency in statistical software and data analysis techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a collaborative environment.
• Knowledge of current educational technologies and digital learning platforms.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to shape the knowledge base of a critical national security mission.
• A collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Compensation:

The pay range for this job is determined by various factors, including but not necessarily limited to location, responsibilities of the job, and alignment with market data. When determining a salary for this role, the following factors may be taken into consideration: contract-specific affordability, education, knowledge, skills, competencies and experience. The estimate displayed represents the salary range for this position and is just one component of ODRG's total compensation package for employees. It is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee. The pay band for this position is $100-135k.

About Us

Organizational Development Resource Group (ODRG), LLC is a management consulting company that provides professional services to organizations within DoD, Federal, Commercial, and non - profit sectors.

About the Team

ODRG professional consultants provide management consulting and administrative support services. We assist our customers with strategic direction, implementation, and evaluation efforts that optimize their workforce and ultimately enhance the effectiveness of the organization. Our consultants have designed and delivered value added solutions for government and private organizations that have resulted in organizational effectiveness; process efficiency, strengthen workforce, and cost savings.

What you'll be part - ODRG Culture

Our success at ODRG is measured by the impact we have on our clients. As a team of dedicated problem solvers, we pride ourselves on our ability to solve complex problems with government agencies and other organizations. The people who make up our organization care deeply about the missions we support. If you appreciate what we stand for, you'll appreciate the professionalism and dedication of those you stand beside every day.