Behavioral Health & Substance Use Research Scientist

About Precision Federal

Precision Federal is a small business building AI, data and software systems for government agencies. The company’s founder loves God, and the company is built on Christian faith: every number we publish is real, every claim we make is verifiable, and the work is done with excellence as service to God. Faith is welcome here and openly shared.

How this role works

1. You join the bench. You apply with your hourly rate, weekly hours and start time, and we may name you on proposals that match this role. If we don't win, you owe nothing.
2. A contract is awarded. The award funds the team named in the proposal. Your engagement begins at the hourly rate we agreed on.
3. You work remote, paid from the contract. ~80–400 hrs per funded award — and if no award ever funds, you owe nothing and lose nothing.

What you'll do

• Frame the research questions, outcomes and measures for mental health and substance use studies
• Advise on study design, validated instruments and analysis of behavioral health data
• Review our proposals for scientific accuracy on psychiatry, addiction and suicide prevention
• Co-author the significance and approach sections that NIH reviewers score

Required qualifications

• Doctorate (PhD, PsyD, MD or DrPH) in psychology, psychiatry, public health or a related field
• Research on mental health, substance use or suicide prevention, with peer-reviewed publications
• U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (U.S. person)
• Willing to be named on a federal proposal with a one-page resume, and to sign a short letter of commitment

Preferred qualifications

• NIH (NIDA, NIMH, NIAAA) or SAMHSA funded research
• Experience with restricted-use datasets such as NSDUH, ABCD or NAHDAP
• Digital mental health, measurement-based care or implementation research

Compensation & structure

1099 consulting engagement. $50–$80 per hour; you tell us the rate you are asking when you apply. Hours are funded by federal contract awards — this seat is scoped at roughly 80–400 hours per funded award, fully remote. Work and pay begin only if the contract is awarded — no award, no hours, no obligation.

Join the bench — Behavioral Health & Substance Use Research Scientist

Every application is read.

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Phone *

Work authorization * Select U.S. citizen U.S. lawful permanent resident Other

LinkedIn or portfolio link

Resume (PDF or Word) *

Questions

Answer from your own experience. A few sentences each is plenty; be specific and tell us what you did yourself.

1. Describe the behavioral health or substance use research most like this role that you led or carried out: the question, the population, your role and the result. *

2. Which study designs, instruments and analysis methods do you use, such as validated scales, longitudinal models, trials or implementation frameworks? Which could you be questioned on? *

3. Cover letter. In your own words, tell us about yourself: your background, the work you do best, the values that guide your work, and why this role interests you. *

4. Precision Federal was founded on Christian values, and faith is welcome and openly shared in our workplace. Taking part in any faith activity is always voluntary. Are you comfortable working in that setting? *

Rate and availability

Your hourly rate (USD) *

Target rate: $50–$80 an hour.

Hours per week you could give on an awarded contract * Please choose… Under 10 10–20 20–30 30–40 Full time (40)

If you are named and we win in the next 12 months, how soon could you start? * Please choose… Within 14 days Within 30 days More than 30 days I would not be available

May we name you on proposals for this role, and if we win, will you do the work at the rate we agree on? * Please choose… Yes, I agree No

Sign up for the bench

Questions? careers@precisionfederal.com · See all open roles