Remote Cognitive Science Research Jobs in Reston, VA

General information
Job Posting Title
Cognitive Enhancement Practitioner (Remote)
Date
Friday, August 14, 2026
City
Remote
Country
United States
Working time
Full-time
Description & Requirements
Maximus is seeking Cognitive Enhancement Practitioners (CEP) to support the development, implementation, and management of cognitive performance programs aligned to mission, unit, and occupation-specific requirements. The CEP assesses and trains Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel to develop cognitive and behavioral skills that support optimal performance in high-stress training and operational environments. This role provides evidence-based instruction and interventions in areas such as adaptive thinking, executive function, sleep, emotional regulation, goal setting, neurofeedback, brain mapping, and psychophysiological assessment to enhance focus, manage stress, and optimize performance.
This position is pending upon contract award.
U.S. citizenship is required. Candidates must possess an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance or be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance as required for contract performance.
Why Maximus?
Flexibility That Fits Your Life - Work/life balance support with flexibility designed to meet your personal and professional needs.
Robust Health & Insurance Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription plans, a partially funded HSA, Life Insurance, and additional insurance discounts.
Build Your Financial Future - 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match.
Generous Time Away From Work - PTO, paid holidays, extended sick leave, and Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage.
Wellness Beyond the Workplace - Resources supporting physical, emotional, and financial well-being through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Recognition That Matters - Employee recognition programs that celebrate achievements and contributions.
Invest in Your Growth - Tuition Reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
Employee Discounts & Perks - Exclusive savings, special offers, and employee-only benefits.
Wellness Programs & Resources - Programs and tools designed to support overall health and wellness.
Career Development Opportunities - Training programs, workshops, conferences, and ongoing learning opportunities.
Licensure & Certification Support - Maximus covers the costs associated with renewing required licenses and certifications.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supervise a team of employees through cultivation of a high performance team.
- Ensure adequate staff coverage for assigned program area.
- Serve as subject matter expert for identified area of program knowledge.
- Ensure assigned team is meeting contract and individual SLA's, and related requirements.
- Work with contract management and shared services to identify opportunities for improvement and efficiencies.
- May attend client and stakeholder meetings.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Serve as the unit's senior CEP technical expert and advise leadership and stakeholders on all aspects of the CEP program.
- Recommend CEP training priorities and work with unit personnel to expand and embed CEP initiatives into unit training.
- Serve as the unit's cognitive program manager, including identifying and recommending mission-specific cognitive priorities.
- Develop appropriate training materials and techniques for individual, group-based, or embedded unit training events.
- Establish and maintain relationships with unit leadership and training personnel to ensure continued use of cognitive personnel and training.
- Advise unit leadership on matters related to cognitive performance and performance psychology.
- Identify, track, and monitor unit-specific metrics to assess program effectiveness.
- Train and educate active-duty personnel in cognitive and behavioral skills to enhance cognitive and psychological performance, including attention and concentration, problem solving, emotional regulation, energy management, memory enhancement, interpersonal skills, goal setting, and related compensatory mechanisms.
- Lead individual, group, and/or embedded training sessions as requested by the unit.
- Provide educational briefings to units and commands on the cognitive performance program, biofeedback, psychophysiology, sleep, self-regulation, attention, and other cognitive functions, as needed.
- Provide executive coaching, if qualified, as directed by the POTFF Program Manager/Coordinator or Government Lead.
- Provide biofeedback and/or neurofeedback training, as directed, to enhance cognitive/psychological performance and/or psychophysiology.
- Support appropriate and approved research conducted under the supervision of the POTFF Program Manager/Coordinator or Government Lead, including psychophysiological, cognitive, and/or psychological performance research.
- Document services offered in HP enterprise-wide platforms, including HPDMS or other systems, as directed by USSOCOM Directive 10-12.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by local leadership, as documented and approved through local POTFF leadership.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, technical training, or relevant experience in lieu of degree.
- Minimum of two years of related experience.
- Current LCSW or LMSW with license valid in the state of practice is required.
- Doctoral degree in Psychology, Human Performance, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Cognitive Science, Cognitive Neuroscience, Sport Sciences with a specialization in Sport Psychology, or a related degree with a performance psychology specialization.
- Active, unrestricted LCSW or clinical neuropsychology license.
- Minimum of three (3) or more years of post-doctoral experience within the past five (5) years, with demonstrable accumulated experience practicing performance psychology or a related field with military members, athletes, tactical populations, or individuals/groups requiring high levels of mental and physical performance.
- Experience with, or willingness to receive training in, the interpretation of computerized neurocognitive testing.
- Experience with Special Operations personnel is preferred.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen per contract requirements.
- Must possess an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance or be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance as required for contract performance.
Preferred Certifications/Training:
- Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) biofeedback certification may be required by the hiring unit.
- BCIA neurofeedback certification may be required by the hiring unit.
- International QEEG Certification Board (IQCB) certification may be required by the hiring unit.
Please note: For this position Maximus will provide equipment to use.
Home Office Requirements:
- Internet speed of 25mbps or higher required / 50 Mpbs for shared internet connectivity (you can test this by going to www.speedtest.net)
- Minimum 5mpbs upload speed
- Connectivity to the internet via Category 5 or 6 ethernet patch cable to the home router
- Private and secure work area and adequate power source
- Must currently and permanently reside in the Continental US
- Must have a smartphone which will be required to log into Maximus systems
#LI-Remote
EEO Statement
Maximus is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics.
Pay Transparency
Maximus compensation is based on various factors including but not limited to job location, a candidate's education, training, experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value analysis including seniority and merit systems, as well as internal pay alignment. Annual salary is just one component of Maximus's total compensation package. Other rewards may include short- and long-term incentives as well as program-specific awards. Additionally, Maximus provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and paid time off. Compensation ranges may differ based on contract value but will be commensurate with job duties and relevant work experience. An applicant's salary history will not be used in determining compensation. Maximus will comply with regulatory minimum wage rates and exempt salary thresholds in all instances.
Accommodations
Maximus provides reasonable accommodations to individuals requiring assistance during any phase of the employment process due to a disability, medical condition, or physical or mental impairment. If you require assistance at any stage of the employment process-including accessing job postings, completing assessments, or participating in interviews,-please contact People Operations at applicantaccom@maximus.com.
Minimum Salary
$
59,100.00
Maximum Salary
$
124,100.00