Human and Machine Co-Learning Research Scientist

Job Overview

This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 12 February 2024.

The Human and Machine Co-Learning Section of the 711^th Human Performance Wing within the Air Force Research Laboratory (711 HPW/RHWOH) seeks to hire a mid-level, DR-02 or DR-03 Research Scientist at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.

The Research Scientist position is responsible for providing leadership, technical knowledge, and overall direction for research focused on developing and delivering co-learning teams of humans and autonomous systems that can learn to acquire new knowledge and skills in real time, to adapt to changing environmental or operational demands and circumstances, and to establish a mutual understanding of each other and the mission.

Position Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Plans and conducts research to optimize co-learning in operational environments important to the United States Air Force and Space Force through modeling, simulation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning as it relates to human and machine teammates.

   

• Leads and oversees development involving digital systems engineering tools.

   

• Employs and formulates methods for implementing artificial intelligence and machine learning into various applications pertaining to co-learning, which may include but not limited to psychology, human factors, cognitive models, intelligent tutoring, deep learning, reinforcement learning, knowledge triples, and large language models.

   

• Informs upon strategies, such as new system designs/algorithms and design improvements. 

   

• Manages technical research and testing efforts with outside organizations, including SBIRs, CRADAs, and MOAs and participates in cross-organizational research teams. 

   

• Maintains technical and programmatic cognizance of line of effort projects and programs and can report status to upper management as required. 

   

• Works with branch, division, and directorate leadership to define short and long-term research goals and strategy. 

   

• Originates data processing techniques and analytical methods to analyze output data generated through computational development. 

   

• Acts as a liaison to other government agencies and contractors. 

   

• Keeps abreast of literature in the field. 

   

• Serves as technical specialist for the USAF/USSF and AFRL. Communicates results via appropriate oral, written, and visual media. 

   

• Fosters a culture of productive collaboration and coordination across RH. 

   

• Serves as team member on Human and Machine Co-Learning projects.

   

• Collaborates with AFRL, AFLCMC, DoD laboratories, academic, and industry experts in related fields to expedite technology transition and transfer.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for telework opportunities; as determined by agency policy

Remote Work (CONUS)

No, this position is not approved for remote work.

Required Qualifications

• United States Citizenship

   

• These are Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) positions and require a Level 2 certification (Practitioner). The selectees will have 24 months to meet APDP requirements or a waiver must be obtained.

   

• These positions may be filled as a 5-year Flexible Length and Renewable Term Technical Appointment (new government hires, current government term employees, etc.) with the option to later convert to a permanent appointment.

   

• Security Clearance:  The incumbent of these positions must possess or be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance.

   

   

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

•  Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade of position being advertised, or equivalent in other pay systems.

   

• Applicants must also meet the Basic Qualification requirements for at least one of the following series:  0180, 1515, 1550, or 0854. To view the Individual Occupational Requirements for this position, click on the following links:

   

Psychology Series 0180 (opm.gov)

Operations Research Series 1515 (opm.gov)

Computer Science Series 1550 (opm.gov)

Computer Engineering Series 0854 (opm.gov)

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of USAF/USSF operations, objectives, principles, and methods

   

• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills

   

• Ability to multitask with strong organizational skills

   

• Experience in mission, major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes, and operations of the Directorate

   

• Knowledge of management and organizational principles and practices

   

• Strong leadership skills to mentor and develop other military and government civilian personnel

   

• Background in organizing, coordinating, and executing team assignments

   

• Familiar with cognitive modeling, machine learning methods, and intelligent tutoring applications relevant to psychology and human performance.

   

• Prior in-depth experience with machine learning techniques such as reinforcement learning, neural networks, large language models, among others.

   

• Has experience in algorithm development and AI/ML expertise and leads digital engineering product development.

   

(Requisition No. 37691)

Series

0180

0854

1515

1550