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Human Performance Specialist (Level 3)/Chief Scientist – Barksdale AFB, LA
Introduction:
Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is responsible for the nation’s three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, the Air Force’s entire bomber force—including the B-52, B-1, and B-2 wings—the Long-Range Strike Bomber program, Air Force Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) systems, Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM), and operational and maintenance support for organizations within the nuclear enterprise.  AFGSC collaborates with Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), Air Education and Training Command (AETC), and Air Combat Command (ACC) to receive highly trained aircrew from associated Formal Training Units. After being assigned to AFGSC, warfighters undergo training to achieve combat mission-ready status within their operational units and prepare for deployment in combat operations.  While the latest generations of aircraft are undeniably technological marvels, AFGSC recognizes that the core of its competitive advantage will always come from its people. Deliberate investment in Human Performance (HP) is essential, particularly as the command undertakes one of the largest nuclear modernization efforts in the nation’s history—specifically, the Sentinel and B-21 programs.
Background:
To enhance aircrew readiness, AFGSC established the Comprehensive Readiness for Aircrew Flying Training (CRAFT) Team in 2022, expanding upon AETC’s 19th Air Force program by incorporating additional data-driven analysis requirements. With the addition of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) mission, the program has been renamed to Striker Strategically Enhancing Effective Long-Range Strike (STEEL). AFGSC is exploring the development of functional training centers tailored to the unique physical and cognitive demands of aircrew, ground-based strategic deterrence personnel, and supporting staff. These centers may integrate job-specific conditioning, advanced HP technologies, cognitive training, nutritional expertise, and accessible preventative and rehabilitative physical therapy. With three years of data-driven insights and continuous refinements at Barksdale AFB, AFGSC aims to expand HP across the Major Command, including the integration of ICBM operators at all Formal Training Units (FTUs).
Purpose and Overall Objective:
The AFGSC project is designed to enhance force readiness by optimizing the physical, cognitive, and emotional performance of aircrew and operators throughout their careers. By proactively reducing physical and mental injuries and expediting return-to-duty timelines, the program aims to sustain and multiply combat power, ensuring personnel remain mission-ready in high-demand operational environments.  
This initiative focuses on three key areas: cognitive performance, emotional resilience, and physical durability. Cognitive training will enhance information processing, decision-making, and mental acuity, while emotional resilience training will address stress management, situational awareness, and well-being. Physical performance optimization will emphasize injury prevention, strength and conditioning, and rehabilitation with an aggressive “return-to-fly” and Personal Reliability Assurance Program (PRAP) mindset. To ensure consistency and scalability, AFGSC will establish partnerships with HP programs across the flying and operations community, leveraging shared expertise, best practices, and data-driven insights.
The Contractor shall play a critical role in executing this mission by designing, implementing, and refining a performance-based HP curriculum. This will include baseline assessments of cognitive, emotional, and physical capabilities, followed by structured evaluations throughout the training cycle to measure effectiveness and inform program improvements. Through this contract, AFGSC seeks industry expertise to support a purpose-driven, data-backed approach to HP optimization, ensuring aircrew and operators are prepared for the physical and mental rigors of combat aviation and nuclear operations.
Security Clearances:
All tasks outlined in this PWS require a Tier 1 (T1) security clearance, except for the Operations Director, who must hold a Tier 3 (T3) clearance. All contract employees must successfully pass a security investigation before performing any work under this contract, and any employee who receives unfavorable determination shall not be employed on this effort. Required clearances must be maintained throughout the period of performance to ensure continued compliance. Personnel without the appropriate clearance are strictly prohibited from working on this task order, and any exceptions must receive prior approval from the Contracting Officer (CO).
Mandatory Experience:
 

• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in cognitive performance research, translational science, and program implementation within military, aerospace, or other man–machine high-performance environments. 

 

• Demonstrated success as a principal investigator or chief scientist on large-scale human performance initiatives, with emphasis on cognitive readiness, resilience, and decision-making under stress.

 

• Proven record of designing and leading enterprise-level studies, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and translating research findings into operational training and policy guidance.

 

• Experience advising senior DoD or federal leadership on innovation strategies, technology integration, and doctrine development in human performance.

 

• Leadership of multi-disciplinary teams (psychologists, cognitive scientists, physiologists, nutritionists, data analysts) with enterprise-level budget responsibility.

Mandatory Education:
 

• Doctorate (PhD or equivalent required) in Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Psychology, Human Factors Engineering, or closely related field.

 

• Evidence of national or international recognition in human performance or cognitive science research (e.g., keynote presentations, professional fellowships, advisory board memberships).

Mandatory Certifications:
 

• Current certification in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training.

 

• Preferred: Advanced professional credentialing in applied psychology, neuroscience, or sport/performance science (e.g., Certified Mental Performance Consultant [CMPC], Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Performance & Sport Scientist)

Human Performance Specialist (Level 3)/Chief Scientist:
The Chief Scientist shall lead the operational research, creation, advancement, expansion, and integration of human performance (HP) capabilities. Primary emphasis shall be placed on the cognitive domain, including decision-making under stress, resilience, workload management, and human factors in long-range strike and nuclear operations.
The Chief Scientist shall provide strategic scientific leadership, enterprise-level research oversight, and guidance to ensure HP initiatives are grounded in validated science and aligned with AFGSC mission objectives. Responsibilities include supporting multi-disciplinary research efforts, creating and validating assessment instruments, overseeing enterprise data management, and supporting senior leadership on policies, standards, and innovation strategies that enhance cognitive readiness and operational effectiveness.
The Chief Scientist shall support command-level human performance studies, ensuring compliance with DoD policies, research ethics, and security requirements. Additionally, the Chief Scientist shall support the identification of and evaluation of emerging technologies, methods, and partnerships that advance the cognitive and operational performance of aircrew, ICBM operators, and supporting personnel.
The Contractor shall:
 

• Provide strategic scientific support to the AFGSC Striker STEEL Project Director and COR by supporting the planning, design, and execution of command-wide HP research and implementation efforts. Ensure projects are scientifically rigorous, aligned with operational mission objectives, and structured for scalability across the enterprise.

 

• Support the validation of the Striker STEEL program through applied research methods, advanced data analysis, and peer-reviewed evaluation frameworks. Incorporate cognitive performance metrics, neurocognitive modeling, and evidence-based feedback loops to refine and optimize program effectiveness.

 

• Support the research, creation, advancement, expansion, and enterprise integration of cognitive performance training, while providing scientific support of strength & conditioning and nutrition components. Ensure training methods are derived from validated science and tailored to AFGSC operational demands.

 

• Continuously evaluate and refine HP curricula and training interventions by applying empirical cognitive science, neuroscience, and human factors research, ensuring training content reflects the latest advances in cognitive resilience, decision-making under stress, and operational psychology.

 

• Support Government-led and collaborative human performance studies. Support the creation, advancement, expansion of research protocols, obtain required approvals, and ensure studies are executed to DoD research ethics, human subjects’ protection standards, and security requirements.

 

• Support the design, implementation, and scientific validation of diagnostic assessments across the cognitive, emotional, and physiological domains. Ensure all assessment tools meet reliability, validity, and operational relevance standards, and are suitable for high-stakes military applications.

 

• Support the secure management, analysis, and interpretation of diagnostic and research data in compliance with DoD cybersecurity, OPSEC, and research integrity standards. Ensure enterprise-level data systems enable secure sharing of findings while maintaining confidentiality and scientific fidelity.

 

• Provide scientific support for Striker STEEL team activities, technical meetings, multidisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring integration of cognitive science findings into operational recommendations for leadership.

 

• Advise the COR on scientific requirements for acquisitions and procurement, including training technologies, cognitive assessment tools, and research instrumentation. Provide justification based on validated science, operational needs, and emerging trends.

 

• Deliver briefings to senior AFGSC and other Air Force leadership, presenting research findings, program evaluations, and recommendations for enterprise-level human performance policy, doctrine, and resource prioritization.

 

• Support the production of high-quality technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, monthly/annual scientific summaries, and POA&M updates. Reports shall include empirical data, research methodologies, and actionable recommendations to sustain and advance Striker STEEL initiatives.

 

• Support accountability for all Government-procured research and laboratory equipment. Support the establishment of scientific standards for equipment calibration, data fidelity, and lifecycle management to support sustained research excellence.

 

• Support the development of and oversee risk mitigation strategies addressing scientific gaps, research funding constraints, and compliance challenges. Provide evidence-based recommendations for adjusting research priorities and program design to sustain operational impact.

 

• Support the identification, evaluation, and guidance of integration of emerging technologies (e.g., neurocognitive sensors, AI-driven analytics, simulation platforms) into AFGSC operations. Ensure transition strategies are in place to move validated innovations from research to operational capability in alignment with DoD modernization priorities.