Research Methodologist / Psychologist within Behavioral Analysis Research

Voices for Voices; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellness programs

Paid Leave and Retirement

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Research Methodologist/ Psychologist with Behavioral Analysis Research experience to conduct empirically valid research informing security and counterintelligence missions. The role involves translating complex information for non-technical colleagues, designing methodologies, collecting and analyzing data, and delivering final reports and briefings.

An active TS/SCI with polygraph is required to be considered.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Psychology or comparable field with significant research experience.
• Minimum five years of professional research experience as a psychologist in applied behavior science research.
• Experience supporting IC or DoD research elements and program development.

Responsibilities

• Lead behavioral science research projects from design to data analysis and reporting.
• Develop, validate, and maintain science-based behavior assessments.
• Translate complex technical information for non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Experimental design

Statistics

Data analysis

Research reporting

Communication

Education

Doctoral Degree in Psychology

Tools

R

SPSS

Excel

Job description

Looking for a rewarding career challenge? Unleash your potential at Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customer’s success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. With Leidos, you will enjoy competitive benefits such as Paid Time Off, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and more!

If this sounds like an environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Are you ready to join an incredible team? This contract is critical to the government and allows team members to work independently and in a team environment to achieve success.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Job Description:

Leidos is seeking a Research Methodologist / Psychologist within Behavioral Analysis Research experience to conduct empirically valid behavioral science research to inform NCSC security and counterintelligence missions, with an emphasis on personnel security. The individual will support the Government in the behavior sciences taking complex, technical information and translating it for colleagues and consumers who have non-technical backgrounds. The candidate will generate research ideas, design the methodology to empirically test/validate such ideas, collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data generated by the methodology, and create final reports and briefings describing the research process and results. An Active TS/SCI with polygraph security clearance is required to be considered for this position.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Expertise in human behavior and the application of psychological principles to the security and/or insider threat areas of focus.
• Development, maintenance, and delivery of science-based behavior and skills assessments, assuring and documenting their continuous scientific integrity consistent with applicable professional standards.
• Excellent teamwork skills - a demonstrated ability to listen, discuss, and collaborate with the objective of maximizing the effectiveness of an outcome.
  • High level of integrity in dealing with confidential material.
  • Proficiency in experimental design, data collection, advanced statistical analyst, and data management software including R, SPSS, and Excel.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead behavioral science research projects including development, design, data analysis, and reviewing, compiling, writing, and editing research reports, briefings, and summaries to support research findings.

Basic Qualifications:

• TS/SCI with CI Polygraph required
• Typically requires BS degree and 12 - 15 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 10 - 13 years of prior relevant experience. May possess a Doctorate in technical domain.
• Doctoral Degree in a Psychology (e.g. Experimental Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology) or comparable areas of study or experience to those gained in such a Doctoral Program.
• Minimum five (5) or more years of recent professional research experience as a psychologist; specific work experience in applied behavior science research, research methodology and advanced statistics.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience supporting IC or DoD research elements and program development. This one (1) year of experience may be concurrent with requisite years of experience.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience supporting IC Security elements, supporting security policy and program development. The one (1) year of experience must be concurrent with requisite years of experience.
• Familiarity with the IC and its components, as well as its missions, disciplines, capabilities, and interrelationships.
• Demonstrated familiarity with appropriate behavior science research, Security Regulations and Policies.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

October 14, 2026

Pay Range:

Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.