Early/Mid-Career Technical Research Analyst

Job Type:

Position Description

RAND is seeking highly motivated analysts who would like to use their technical skills and experience to directly impact National and Homeland Security policies at the highest level. As part of RAND’s research staff, Technical Research Analysts conduct analysis that assists public policy makers at all levels and the public at large in efforts to strengthen the nation's economy, maintain its security, and improve quality of life. Technical Research Analysts are expected to bring technical expertise to interdisciplinary teams to bear on a wide range of National and Homeland Security policy problems across RAND’s research agendas. They apply their skills in novel and flexible ways to emerging problems at the cutting edge of their fields and apply their insights to critical policy issues.

Responsibilities:

Technical Research Analysts will use their technical skills (e.g., in engineering, operations research, applied mathematics, physical sciences, and related fields) to:

• Contribute to the development of research approaches to solve complex policy problems.

• Execute key project tasks (e.g., data collection, data or policy analysis, tool design, and other analytic tasks) within an area of substantive training or experience required by the research project.

• Apply a broad range of quantitative and/or qualitative research tools, methods, and skills to support complex research activities and/or research project management needs.

• Assist in communicating the results of these analyses to decision-makers through written products, briefings, and other media.

Qualifications/Experience

Successful applicants are expected to have evidence of technical knowledge in one or more substantive (e.g., defense acquisition, cyber security, natural hazards, capabilities development) or methodological (e.g., data analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, modeling) areas as demonstrated in academic coursework, prior professional experience including internships, publications, and conference presentations, and/or other documentable academic and professional experience. Experience using analytic software including one or more programming languages and/or data analysis/visualization/simulation libraries (e.g., C++, C#, Python, R, Java, SQL, Visual Basic, SAS, MatLab, Mathematica, Stata, NetLogo, Octave, Anaconda, Keras, TensorFlow, Hadoop, BigML, Pandas, Tableau, Sigma JS, MS Visio) is required.

All analyst positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills; the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, 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.

Successful applications will include documentation in the application package of academic and professional activities that meet stated qualifications.

Education Requirements

A master’s degree in engineering, operations research, applied mathematics, physical sciences, or related fields with 0 to 5 years of professional experience is preferred. Applicants without a master’s degree will be considered if they have a bachelor’s degree with at least 10+ years of relevant professional analytic experience.

Security Clearance 

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Please note that U.S. citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Location

Santa Monica, CA; Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA

Writing Sample

A writing sample is required for this position. This sample can use a recent, previously written paper or report (e.g., journal article, master’s thesis or paper written for coursework, prior employment, or internship). Applicants with fields of study or work experience in which they have not produced written products (e.g., model development), or in which written products have dissemination restrictions, may submit a short, written summary (i.e., less than one page) of one or more recent products they have developed that may be discussed during interviews.

Salary Range

Analyst I: $70,400 - $96,800

Analyst II: $88,000 - $121,000

Analyst III: $104,000 - $143,000

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. Successful candidates will be offered employment in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet