Behavioral Science Lead: Nonverbal Insight & Performance

Mission1; McLean (VA); Remote; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work from home

Job summary

Mission1 is seeking an applied behavioral scientist to translate research into practical measurement methods, product requirements, and user guidance. The role focuses on non-invasive assessment, nonverbal sensing, kinesics, and interview dynamics.

The candidate will design studies, develop data plans, and establish validation criteria while collaborating with leadership and technical teams to improve human performance and evaluator workflows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, behavioral science, cognitive science, human factors, or related field.
• Experience conducting behavioral research or developing/validating behavioral assessment methods.
• Expertise in nonverbal behavior, kinesics, or interpersonal communication.
• Strong knowledge of experimental design, statistics, reliability, and validity.
• Ability to translate research findings into practical requirements and recommendations.
• Williness to sign an NDA before receiving confidential project information.

Responsibilities

• Review and synthesize research on non-invasive assessment, nonverbal sensing, kinesics, facial movements, microexpressions, and interpersonal communication.
• Develop frameworks for measuring observable behavior, including eye movements, gaze, head pose, posture, gestures, and facial movements.
• Establish methods for individualized behavioral baselines and assess changes over time while accounting for context and normal variability.
• Apply knowledge of interview dynamics and communication to inform interview-support tools and evaluator workflows.
• Develop study designs and data plans covering research questions, participant selection, measurement methods, data quality, and statistical analysis.
• Define meaningful performance measures, including observation accuracy, missed events, reporting quality, cognitive workload, and usability.
• Assess confounding factors such as stress, fatigue, cultural differences, and recording conditions.
• Prepare concise research summaries and contribute to development documentation and stakeholder briefings.

Skills

Behavioral research

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

Nonverbal behavior

Interpersonal communication

Measurement reliability

Validity

Observing behavior

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field

Master’s or PhD preferred

Equivalent relevant experience

Tools

Non-invasive behavioral assessment tools

Job description

Mission1 is seeking an applied behavioral scientist to translate research into practical measurement methods, product requirements, and user guidance. The role focuses on non-invasive assessment, nonverbal sensing, kinesics, and interview dynamics.

The candidate will design studies, develop data plans, and establish validation criteria while collaborating with leadership and technical teams to improve human performance and evaluator workflows.