Technical SETA for Neuroscience & Translational CNS Therapeutics (#26-080) in Arlington, Virginia at Strategic Analysis, Inc.

Strategic Analysis, Inc. (SA) is actively seeking a Technical SETA to support strategy development and program execution for advanced neuroscience initiatives spanning neurotechnology, neural systems, translational neuroscience, and CNS therapeutic development. This is a Science and Engineering and Technical Advisor (SETA) role in support of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in neuroscience and neural systems, with familiarity in CNS drug development, neuromodulation, neuroimaging, computational neuroscience, and translational clinical research. This role will help shape high-impact programs at the intersection of brain health, neurotechnology, and therapeutic innovation.

Specific Duties:

1. Subject Matter Expertise: Provide technical expertise across neuroscience, neural systems, neurotechnology, and CNS therapeutic development, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches to mental, behavioral health, and brain disorders.
2. Translational Neuroscience Integration: Offer deep technical insight into neural circuit mechanisms, brain-behavior relationships, and translational neuroscience approaches, including neuromodulation, neuroimaging, biomarkers, and CNS-targeted therapeutics.
3. Stakeholder & Government Relations: Coordinate with federal stakeholders (e.g., NIH, FDA, BARDA, CMS, DARPA, and other interagency partners) to support the development, evaluation, and transition of emerging neuroscience technologies and therapeutics.
4. Programmatic Oversight: Evaluate the conceptual and technical soundness of research programs spanning neuroscience, neural engineering, computational biology, clinical trial design, biomarker development, and CNS drug development pipelines.
5. Project Management: Assist in defining program goals, technical milestones, budgets, and performer expectations for high-impact neuroscience initiatives; conduct technical reviews of performer progress to ensure alignment with ARPA-H objectives.

Experience / Expertise:

1. Neuroscience & Biomedical Research: Significant experience in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, neural engineering, or related disciplines, including expertise in brain function, neural circuitry, neurophysiology, or CNS disorders.
2. Translational CNS Therapeutics: Experience with the development, evaluation, or translation of CNS therapeutics, including small molecules, biologics, neuromodulation approaches, psychedelic-assisted therapies, or device-based interventions.
3. Neurotechnology & Systems Neuroscience: Familiarity with neurotechnology platforms such as focused ultrasound, brain-computer interfaces, neuroimaging, electrophysiology, wearable sensing, or computational neuroscience approaches.
4. Regulatory & Interagency Strategy: Experience navigating the intersection of neuroscience innovation, clinical translation, and regulatory strategy, including familiarity with FDA pathways, human subjects research, and multi-stakeholder coordination.
5. Computational & Data Science Literacy: Experience in computational modeling, machine learning/AI, neuroinformatics, or advanced analytics applied to neuroscience or therapeutic development.
6. Program Management: Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, technical milestones, and multidisciplinary research efforts across multi-site or multi-performer programs.

Experience Requirements:

1. PhD in Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Biomedical Sciences, or Pharmacological Sciences.
2. Strong quantitative and statistical expertise
3. Experience advising government leadership or supporting federal programs
4. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
5. Proven ability to operate independently and manage competing priorities
6. Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust (or equivalent HHS suitability determination)

Preferred Qualifications:
1. Prior experience in technical advisory, evaluation, or SETA-style roles
2. Experience working across multi-institution or multi-performer programs
3. Experience working in early-stage, fast-paced, startup environments
4. Experience with federal funding

Location: Remote

Travel: Up to ~25% as required

Clearance: Ability to obtain HHS Public Trust