BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIST JOB DESCRIPTION

Rigorous experimentation inside a product organization lives or dies on how well behavioral theory is translated into testable hypotheses. A Behavioral Scientist fills that gap with precision. In consumer technology environments, this means applying frameworks from cognitive psychology and behavioral economics to design studies, from A/B tests to multi-method field experiments, that generate insights product and marketing teams can act on. The role sits within a cross-functional research function, partnering with product management, design, and senior leadership to set a research roadmap that drives measurable outcomes.

As the Behavioral Scientist, you will own the design, execution, and dissemination of applied behavioral research that directly informs product strategy and experimentation priorities within a consumer technology organization. You will partner across product, data, and design functions, reporting to a research or product lead, with scope spanning both qualitative inquiry and quantitative experimental methods.

Career Impact: Deep fluency in experimental design and causal inference within a consumer technology setting positions a Behavioral Scientist for senior individual contributor or research leadership roles in product analytics or applied science.

Business Impact: The research this role produces directly shapes which product hypotheses get tested and which behavioral levers teams pull to improve engagement, retention, and conversion among real users.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to machine learning evaluation cycles, R&D roadmap planning, and cross-functional stakeholder influence expands both the technical and strategic scope available to a scientist moving toward principal or staff-level research roles.

• Apply behavioral science frameworks to define research questions with product and marketing stakeholders, translating business challenges into testable hypotheses.
• Design quantitative and qualitative experiments, including A/B tests, field experiments, and multi-method studies, to measure consumer behavior at scale.
• Conduct systematic literature reviews of academic and industry research to identify approaches applicable to current product or growth priorities.
• Analyze experimental results and behavioral datasets, producing reports and dashboards that surface actionable insights for cross-functional teams.
• Develop and deliver organization-wide training materials, workshops, and presentations that build behavioral science literacy across product and design teams.
• Partner with product management and senior leadership to contribute to the research and development roadmap, prioritizing studies by potential revenue and engagement impact.
• Validate research integrity across all study phases, ensuring alignment with ethical standards and internal data governance requirements.
• Synthesize findings into white papers, internal case studies, or external publications that demonstrate measurable behavioral outcomes.

• Master's or doctoral degree in Psychology, Behavioral Economics, Cognitive Science, or a related social science field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of applied behavioral science experience in an industry, nonprofit, or product setting, with demonstrated translation of research into business decisions.
• Strong foundation in experimental and quasi-experimental research design, including A/B testing, survey methodology, and causal inference techniques.
• Proficiency in quantitative data analysis and statistical modeling, with working knowledge of at least one statistical programming language.
• Expertise in qualitative methods, including structured interviews, focus groups, and thematic analysis, applied within product development or consumer research contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex research findings to non-technical audiences, including executive leadership and cross-functional product teams.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent research projects independently, with strong organizational discipline and attention to methodological rigor.
• Familiarity with human-centered design principles and the role of behavioral research within iterative product development cycles.

• PhD in Psychology, Behavioral Economics, or a related discipline, with a publication record or conference contribution in applied behavioral or cognitive research.
• Experience applying implicit measurement techniques or psychophysiological methods within consumer or product research contexts.
• Working knowledge of machine learning concepts and the ability to integrate behavioral science inputs into algorithm evaluation or model assessment workflows.
• Proficiency with crowdsourced data collection platforms and experience designing studies outside traditional laboratory settings, including online and field environments.

• Experiment-to-insight cycle time, measuring how quickly completed studies produce stakeholder-ready findings.
• A/B test validity rate, reflecting the proportion of experiments with statistically sound design and clean execution.
• Research adoption rate, tracking the share of product or marketing decisions informed by behavioral science recommendations within a given quarter.
• Stakeholder NPS for the research function, capturing how effectively cross-functional partners rate research quality and communication clarity.
• Publication or presentation output per year, counting white papers, conference contributions, or internal thought-leadership materials produced.
• Typical tools: statistical analysis environments (commonly R or Python); survey and experiment platforms (commonly Qualtrics or similar).

• Base Salary Range: $110,000 to $155,000 annually, depending on seniority and location
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 8 to 15 percent of base salary
• Equity: RSUs or stock options common at growth-stage and public technology companies
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by company size
• PTO: 15 to 25 days annually; unlimited PTO policies increasingly common in the technology sector
• Common Perks: Conference and journal access stipends, professional development budget, remote or hybrid flexibility

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Candidates with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process. Employment in this role is contingent on successful completion of a background check. All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Behavioral Scientist at Root shapes the company's understanding of hidden and contextual consumer behavior by conducting literature reviews, designing experiments, and applying academic frameworks to drive business results. Serving as an internal consultant to cross-functional teams, this role builds organizational capability in behavioral science and translates external research into stakeholder-ready recommendations that directly improve experimentation effectiveness and KPI performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a business partner to all teams to apply behavioral science and increase the effectiveness of experimentation.
• Apply academic theories and frameworks to solve short- and long-term business challenges.
• Demonstrate the use of behavioral science to help reach KPIs.
• Conduct literature reviews, suggest research designs, and provide general consultation on behavioral science.
• Develop training materials and give regular organization-wide talks on topics of interest.
• Engage stakeholders and leadership in encouraging the application of behavioral science in experimentation.
• Stay up-to-date on industry and academic research that could inform business action.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in a behavioral science discipline such as cognitive or social psychology, behavioral economics, marketing, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience conducting behavioral science research to generate actionable insights.
• Strong foundation in experimental and quasi-experimental research design and analysis.
• Experience in marketing research or consumer insights outside of academia is preferred.
• Strong publication record preferred for candidates with primarily academic experience.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present to varied stakeholders.
• Strong people and relationship-building skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to independently multitask and prioritize projects with a results-driven attitude.

Embedded within the research unit, the Behavioral Scientist supports program evaluations and research activities aimed at developing and assessing psychological health products intended to improve overall wellness. Working closely with researchers, technicians, and the PI, this role delivers rigorous study execution across all phases of preparation, analysis, and reporting to advance evidence-based wellness outcomes.

Core Functions

• Coordinate with units to conduct initial training and verify that skills are administered as designed.
• Modify staff training and materials when deficiencies are identified.
• Provide written reports and present results to stakeholders, publishing in journals if required.
• Consult on complex projects and interpret scientific program policies and procedures.
• Ensure all policies and procedures are followed during all phases of study preparation, conduct, analysis, and data processing.
• Administer all tests in accordance with best practices, current policies, and PHI requirements.
• Provide technical support as needed and maintain professionalism in all staff and subject interactions.

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in area of specialty with a minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience.
• Proficient in survey development, focus group and interview development, protocol writing, regulatory approvals, and quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Knowledge of current guidelines for pharmacological agents used in human research.
• Ability to follow and apply scientific best practices and standards of responsible research conduct.
• Basic proficiency in Word, Excel, and statistical programs.
• Extensive experience and sound judgment to plan and accomplish goals independently.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to complete paperwork accurately and in compliance with relevant policies.

Reporting to the product team, the Behavioral Scientist leads the design, development, and testing of OPSWAT's MetaDefender platform using C++ across Windows and Linux environments. Partnering with Scrum team members and Product Management, this role builds sprint-level deliverables that advance one of the world's leading next-generation cybersecurity platforms.

Primary Duties

• Design, develop, implement, and test the MetaDefender product using C++ in Windows and Linux environments.
• Provide input for documentation of new or existing programs.
• Partner with Scrum team members on delivering Sprint commitments.
• Collaborate with Product Management on product requirements.
• Participate in peer code reviews, both giving and receiving feedback.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong command of C++ with Windows and Linux development experience.
• Experience with the Qt framework and DBMS platforms such as SQLite and PostgreSQL.
• Excellent object-oriented design and programming skills in multi-threaded applications.
• Good coding and debugging skills with experience designing REST API integrations.
• Experience with Agile and Scrum working environments.
• Experience with Git, Bitbucket, Jira, Confluence, and TeamCity.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment.

Sitting at the intersection of behavioral science and machine learning, the Senior Behavioral Scientist owns the research and development roadmap across multiple domains by examining existing data, identifying capability gaps, and applying academic literature to drive improvements in revenue, explainability, and robustness. Operating across executive, cross-functional, and external professional settings, this role leads the dissemination of behavioral science frameworks through workshops and presentations to produce broad industry impact.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Examine existing data, product designs, and prior research to identify gaps and research opportunities.
• Work on complex technical problems and provide highly innovative solutions with broad industry impact.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of academic research and determine approaches to apply it to machine learning team priorities.
• Identify opportunities to improve capabilities in revenue, profitability, performance, explainability, and robustness.
• Partner with team leadership to set the research and development roadmap across multiple domains.
• Disseminate behavioral science concepts and frameworks via workshops, presentations, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Communicate hypotheses, proposals, and experimental results at all levels, including executive and external professional settings.
• Draw on behavioral science literature to advise teams on scientifically informed approaches to complex problems.

Experience & Qualifications

• PhD or Master's degree in Psychology, Behavioral Science, Economics, Cognitive Science, Statistics, Social Science, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field.
• Experience applying behavioral science principles and methodologies in an industry, government, or nonprofit setting.
• Strong foundation in data collection, data management, statistical inference, and advanced multivariate and causal modeling methods.
• Expertise in experimental design including A/B tests, multi-method behavioral science experiments, and field experiments.
• Expertise in applied qualitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, and thematic analysis.
• Proficiency in at least one statistical programming language such as R or Python, with basic SQL competency preferred.
• Exceptional oral, written, and visual storytelling skills with ability to communicate to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Coding experience and working knowledge of machine learning concepts preferred.

A key member of the product and content team, the Behavioral Scientist leads the development and application of validated behavioral science principles to enhance the learner experience and drive measurable safety and performance outcomes. Collaborating across multiple teams on product strategy and experimentation, this role builds organizational thought leadership in behavioral science and delivers research findings through white papers, case studies, and actionable insights.

Accountabilities

• Conduct literature reviews of scientific publications, indexing, summarizing, interpreting, and socializing findings.
• Operationalize validated behavioral science principles and best practices to enhance the product and content.
• Contribute to strategy and roadmaps aimed at predicting and preventing costly outcomes around safety and performance.
• Collaborate across multiple teams to understand, inform, and help execute product strategy.
• Serve as a thought leader and advocate for behavioral science across the company.
• Conduct scientifically sound experiments to understand and validate outcomes.
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize user behavior through studies, surveys, and online experiments into actionable insights.
• Write white papers and case studies that showcase positive behavioral outcomes.

Background & Experience

• Advanced degree in experimental psychology, marketing, consumer behavior, or another social science discipline recommended.
• 3+ years of practical business experience in behavioral science application or market research.
• Expertise in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, including focus groups, in-depth interviews, surveys, and assessments.
• Deep understanding of the strengths and limitations of different research methods and when to apply them in product development.
• Proficiency in translating data and research findings into actionable insights and directional principles.
• Conversant in the principles and practices of human-centered design and design thinking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to large groups and leadership teams.
• Proven ability to critique, analyze, and elevate strategies, with an inquisitive approach to exploratory analysis.

Effective evaluation of emerging defense technologies depends on the Behavioral Scientist, who delivers quantitative and qualitative research on human performance, cognitive processing, and soldier-centered design across real and simulated environments. Based within a research team focused on augmented reality and sensor technology, this role provides the scientific rigor needed to inform technology development decisions that directly affect field readiness.

Duties

• Participate in all aspects of the quantitative and qualitative research process.
• Define key research questions with stakeholders and develop experimental plans and procedures.
• Meet with customers to determine research questions, plan experiments, analyze data, and provide technical reports.
• Measure human performance during tests and experiments using real or simulated sensor imagery.
• Conduct tests examining cognitive processing of augmented reality information and evaluate physical or virtual sensor and display prototypes.
• Take a soldier-centered design approach to evaluate technology and collect feedback on emerging technologies through interviews, focus groups, and surveys.

Professional Experience

• Master's degree in Psychology, Human Factors, Cognitive Science, Human Systems Integration, or a related field.
• Ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative research with human participants, analyze data, and write and present findings.
• Experience supporting human factors and user experience research, visual perception research, and sustained attention research.
• Experience conducting interviews, focus groups, and designing surveys.
• Experience with interface design, simulation construction, and field or remote test station data collection.
• Experience conducting online crowdsourcing research using MTurk or similar platforms.

As the Senior Behavioral Scientist, this role leads technical guidance on social and behavior change and behavioral economics across USAID Missions, regional bureaus, and malaria-endemic countries, providing direct PMI program backstopping support to up to three focus countries. The PMI program relies on this work to advance global malaria priorities through coordination with partners including the Gates Foundation, WHO, and RBM Partnership, and to deliver strategic input to senior USG management and the Global Malaria Coordinator.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on social and behavior change and behavioral economics to USAID Missions, regional bureaus, and country teams in malaria-endemic countries.
• Serve on the SBC Technical Team and interagency working groups to support PMI countries on strategy tailoring, evaluation, and measurement of behavioral change.
• Draft and disseminate revised technical guidance and contribute resources for use across PMI through interagency Technical Working Group participation.
• Review Malaria Operational Plans and track social and behavior change trends and activities across PMI countries.
• Coordinate with donors and partners including the Gates Foundation, WHO, and RBM Partnership on global malaria priorities.
• Advise senior USG management and the Global Malaria Coordinator on technical and programmatic issues.
• Provide strategic guidance and support to up to three PMI partner countries, including input into Malaria Operational Plans and partner work plans.
• Participate in report and manuscript writing related to PMI activities, identifying opportunities to incorporate behavioral insights into malaria interventions.
• Keep current on malaria, social and behavior change, and behavioral economics developments through literature reviews, workshops, and training events.

Education & Experience

• Master's degree with 10 years of relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree with 12 years, in public health, international health, social psychology, behavioral economics, sociology, or a related field.
• 8 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing, or managing public health development programs, with at least 4 years in an international social and behavioral change setting preferred.
• 3 years of experience designing, applying, testing, or evaluating behavioral science approaches in international development settings preferred.
• Knowledge of infectious disease control programs including malaria, and of development assistance program design, procurement, and monitoring preferred.
• Experience working with donors and development partners to jointly plan and coordinate program activities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English, with French proficiency preferred, including ability to communicate technical health information to non-health audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across diverse professional, cultural, and educational backgrounds, and to work effectively with USG personnel and partners.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of the time.

HR Behavioral Scientist delivers behavioral analytics solutions that model how communications, decisions, and resources flow through the organization using ONA techniques, producing dashboards and reports that inform Digital and Talent executive priorities. The work directly supports continuous improvement of the employee experience by collaborating across Digital Talent, Talent IT, and vendor teams to configure, test, and implement technological solutions aligned to talent strategy.

Ownership Areas

• Develop methods and mechanisms to model and analyze how communications, decisions, and resources flow through the organization using ONA techniques.
• Build algorithms and design experiments to merge, manage, and extract data for tailored reports to Digital and Talent stakeholders.
• Utilize machine learning tools, data mining models, and statistical techniques to derive behavioral insights for executive teams.
• Configure and create operating procedures and mechanisms for behavioral analysis aligned to operational and Talent executive priorities.
• Deliver complex, ad-hoc behavioral analytics requests and develop standardized data reports and dashboards for stakeholders.
• Assess and improve data sources and data-gathering techniques to support continuous improvement of analytical processes.
• Collaborate across Digital Talent, Talent IT, and vendor teams to deliver solutions that enable the employee experience.
• Monitor external best practices and internal feedback to identify enhancement opportunities for existing behavioral analytics models and processes.
• Work closely with digital and Talent teams on the configuration, development, testing, and implementation of technological solutions.

Technical Qualifications

• Degree-level education required, with a higher professional or Master's qualification in a related discipline preferred.
• Experience in delivering behavioral analytics solutions for business and working on the configuration, development, testing, and implementation of behavioral analytics platforms.
• Experience in collaborating with talent colleagues to shape data governance processes and systems, and working with third-party vendors to deliver analytical solutions from design to enablement.
• Deep knowledge of the behavioral analytics landscape, digital design, and ways of working across the digital talent ecosystem.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to understand digital landscape functionality and integration requirements for analytical priorities.
• Strong research and analytical skills to track trends in behavioral analytics design and identify future options.
• Strong communication skills with cultural awareness, and the ability to coach, mentor, and build trust and cooperation among global and dispersed teams.
• Active membership in related professional bodies or industry groups is preferred.