Research Scientist

Job Details

Requisition: 202600166S

Title: Research Scientist

FLSA status: Exempt

Hiring Salary: This position is a pay grade 13. Please see Pay Grade Table at: https://pa-hrsuite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/116/docs/550174.pdf.

Occupational Category: Professional

Department: Homeland Security Institute

Division: Division of Academic Affairs

Open Date: 06/08/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Educational and Experience Requirement: Ph.D. in public policy, political science, education or related field with emphasis in policy or assessment research. Two years of research, teaching, or experience in a related field. Knowledge and skill in applying principles and practices of project management, basic and applied research methods, and related fields of operations preferred. Experience in a project management role in a company or government agency in a related Critical Infrastructure (CI) sector is preferred: Transportation, Energy, Chemical or Healthcare. A combination of education, experience, and training that would produce the required knowledge and abilities could be considered.

Nature & Purpose of Position: Performs specific duties pertaining to research activities, special projects, and/or educational programs at the Institute for Homeland Security (IHS), with a focus on Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) programs.

Primary Responsibilities: Leads the development and implementation of assessment strategies for Institute for Homeland Security (IHS) programming across Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) sectors. Designs and maintains practical, repeatable assessment tools to evaluate professional development and training offerings, ensuring consistency between program delivery and evaluation practices. Performs research in an area of considerable scope and complexity. Coordinates closely with IHS personnel delivering programming to ensure assessments are implemented as intended and aligned with program objectives. Works to standardize assessment practices across offerings and supports the integration of evaluation into routine program operations. Develops and manages databases to support assessment activities and conducts statistical analyses as needed to evaluate program effectiveness. Synthesizes findings into clear, actionable outputs, including reports, summaries, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders. Serves as a primary point of contact for assessment and evidence-based practices, including presenting results at seminars, symposiums, and other events to support dissemination and stakeholder engagement. Supports external grant activities as needed, particularly in relation to evaluation and impact measurement. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Other Specifications: Supports the development of evidence-based strategies, policies, and procedures by ensuring that IHS programming is systematically assessed and aligned with intended outcomes. Requires independent judgment and initiative in developing practical, field-ready assessment approaches and supporting continuous program improvement. Demonstrates the ability to independently manage assessment and evaluation activities requiring discretion, judgment, and attention to detail. Must be highly self-motivated and capable of coordinating across internal teams and external partners, including faculty, staff, university departments, government agencies, and industry stakeholders. Strong communication skills are required, particularly the ability to translate assessment findings into clear, practical insights for diverse audiences.