• Lead Research Scientist

    SAIC (Upper Marlboro, MD)


    Description

    SAIC’s Identity and Data Sciences Laboratory (IDSL) is seeking a Lead Research Scientist and subject matter expert in the field of biometrics and identity. The ideal candidate will have a background in experimental methods, written communication, and statistical data analysis using modern tools. The IDSL performs applied research on state-of-the-art biometric and identity technologies, including facial recognition, digital and physical identity document validation and other artificial intelligence systems, measuring their performance and assessing applicability to new client use cases.

    Responsibilities:

    • Work with the IDSL technical director to develop research projects that address clients’ applied research and operational questions.

    • Develop required analytic methods using on-premises and cloud-hosted computing resources.

    • Design experiments and analyses to frame research problems and answer research questions while avoiding unnecessary complexity.

    • Develop publication-quality data visualizations that clearly communicate findings.

    • Work on multiple projects simultaneously, balancing short and long-term tasks.

    • Lead applied research projects in collaboration with other IDSL scientists and domain experts, leveraging extensive biometric datasets at the IDSL or recommend new data collections to meet research needs.

    • Prepare complex research reports, technical whitepapers, and other deliverables that maintain operational relevance and meet client requirements.

    Qualifications

    Required:

    • BS with 14 years or more of experience; (4 years experience in lieu of degree).

    • Ability to obtain and maintain a public trust requiring U.S. Citizenship.

    • Strong skills in SQL, R, Python.

    • Experience using statistical methods for data analysis and visualization.

    • Demonstrated experience with biometric and identity systems such as biometric image capture, image quality assessment, recognition algorithms, presentation attack detection, morph attack detection, and/or document validation.

    • Demonstrated experience performing applied research.

    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

    • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

    • Strong teamwork, resilience, and adaptability.

    • Demonstrated self-direction and desire to learn.

    Desired:

    • Experience with government use-cases of biometric and identity systems.

    • Experience with NIST, ISO, FIDO or other technical standards.

    • Familiarity with privacy and security considerations for handling Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

    • Experience with cloud service providers such as Azure, AWS, and/or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

    • Experience with visualization tools such as ggplot2, matplotlib, or Grafana.

    • Familiarity with version control systems such as Git.

    • Demonstrated record of delivering research reports, technical whitepapers, and pro.

     

    Target salary range: $200,001 - $240,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

    REQNUMBER: 2512357

    SAIC is a premier technology integrator, solving our nation's most complex modernization and systems engineering challenges across the defense, space, federal civilian, and intelligence markets. Our robust portfolio of offerings includes high-end solutions in systems engineering and integration; enterprise IT, including cloud services; cyber; software; advanced analytics and simulation; and training. We are a team of 23,000 strong driven by mission, united purpose, and inspired by opportunity. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $6.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see Working at SAIC. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability