AI Policy Research Resident

Job Type:

RAND's Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) is seeking a mission-driven AI Policy Research Resident to contribute to and lead research at the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, national or global security, and U.S. domestic and international policy.

RAND is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that develops evidence-based solutions to public policy challenges. RAND's reputation for excellence is built on our commitment to quality, rigor, and objectivity. RAND's Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST), part of the Global and Emerging Risks (GER) Division conducts cutting-edge research on transformative, high-impact technologies-including artificial intelligence and biotechnology-to shape policies that protect global security and advance the public good.

Responsibilities:

• Lead or contribute to AI security and policy research focused on securing AI systems, assessing AI cyber capabilities, and examining policy implications.

• Conduct analysis on emerging AI security challenges, including threat models, system vulnerabilities, and priorities for security-focused R&D.

• Monitor and assess U.S. and international AI policy, legal, and governance developments relevant to national and global security.

• Communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences through policy briefs, presentations, and written research products.

• Contribute to CAST's strategic and operational effectiveness through cross-team coordination and support to senior AI Policy staff.

Qualifications:
All research positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills; the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team; and a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

Required:

• Experience conducting research or analysis on AI, emerging technologies, or technology governance, including AI policy, AI infrastructure, or semiconductor ecosystems.

• Demonstrated technical literacy in AI systems and computing infrastructure, including understanding of AI capabilities, limitations, and security-relevant risks (e.g., compute, models, data, or supply chains).

• Experience producing analytically rigorous research outputs, demonstrated through policy reports, academic publications, technical memoranda, or comparable professional work.

• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical or scientific concepts and their policy implications to non-technical audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to manage or substantially contribute to complex, multi-stakeholder research or projects.

Preferred:

• Experience engaging with U.S. government institutions or policy audiences on technology, science, or national security issues.

• Familiarity with software systems, data analysis, or technical research workflows sufficient to collaborate effectively with engineers and technical researchers.

• Background in ethics, law, or philosophy, or demonstrated ability to reason rigorously about normative and governance questions related to emerging technologies.

• Ability to work independently in ambiguous research environments and deliver high-quality outputs on short timelines.

• Experience mentoring or leading researchers or project teams.

Education and Experience Requirements:

RAND is hiring for this role at the Associate I, Associate II, and Specialist level of experience.

Minimum requirements for Associate I are:

A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. This can include Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or similar with 1 year of relevant experience.

OR

A Master's degree in the fields listed above

Minimum requirements for an Associate II are:

A PhD in a relevant field. This can include Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or similar.

OR

A Master's degree in the fields listed above with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience.

OR

A Bachelor's degree in the fields listed above with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Minimum requirements for a Specialist are:

A PhD in a relevant field. This can include Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or similar with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience.

OR

A Master's degree in the fields listed above with at least 6 years of relevant professional experience.

OR

A Bachelor's degree in the fields listed above with at least 8 years of relevant professional experience.

Security Clearance:
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, including having US citizenship, is preferred but not required.

Location:

We are actively hiring for this position in Washington, DC; San Francisco, CA; Boston, MA; Santa Monica, CA; and Pittsburgh, PA. The DC office is preferred. We offer a hybrid work arrangement, combining work from home and on-site options. Fully remote work will also be considered.

Term:
This position is a 2-year term appointment with a possibility of renewal and longer term employment.

Applications must include:

• A cover letter

• A detailed resume highlighting relevant academic and professional experience, including publications.

• A writing sample demonstrating analytical and communication skills. This sample may be a previously written paper or report (e.g., journal article, master's thesis or paper written for coursework, prior employment, or internship).

Salary Range: $88,000 - $211,900

Technical Resident, Associate I = $88,000 - $130,900

Technical Resident, Associate II = $118,500 - $171,900
Technical Resident, Specialist = $146,200 - $211,900

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including the specific role responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, paid time-off, and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer