AI Policy Research Associate

Full-time or part-time

Overview

RAND's Technology and Security Policy Center (TASP) is seeking mission-driven Research Associates to contribute to and lead research, decision support, and/or technical work 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. TASP is at the forefront of work on the impact of high-consequence, dual-use technologies on global competition and security. Our research is regularly used by decisionmakers at the White House, U.S. government departments and agencies, the EU and UK governments, and industry leaders, among others. Our alumni have gone on to important roles at institutions such as the NSC, Commerce, DOD, Congress, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, EU AI Office, UK AISI, other key think tanks, and founding mission-driven tech initiatives.

This opening is primarily for our Technology Policy and Governance (TPG) and Geopolitics of AGI teams.

TPG delivers timely, actionable analysis and policy recommendations to US and European decision-makers on topics at the intersection of AI and national security. This includes rapid-response work as well as longer-term, deeper work, and work that goes directly to decisionmakers as well as publications. Recent examples include responses to the White House's request for feedback on the AI Action Plan.

The Geopolitics team helps policymakers understand, anticipate, and prepare to navigate the national security and geopolitical implications of AGI, including by developing an adaptive and forward-looking U.S. strategy for AGI. Recent examples of their public work include Artificial General Intelligence's Five Hard National Security Problems, Seeking Stability in the Competition for AI Advantage, and Managing AI's Economic Future.

Research Associates will be a key part of one or more such teams, working alongside a variety of technical and policy experts and with access to extensive government and industry connections.

This position is initially structured as a focused 1-year appointment to create the urgency needed to drive ambitious change in this rapidly evolving field. The appointment may be renewed for up to a total of 3 years, with opportunities for longer-term employment at RAND thereafter. Full-time schedules are preferred, and part-time (at least 20 hours per week) schedules will be considered.

Responsibilities

Given the breadth of valuable work our teams do, there is some ability to align projects with an individual's specific skills, interests, and career goals. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Contribute to projects using a broad range of analytically rigorous research methods and skills. Potential topical focuses include US administrative law, standard-setting, multilateral governance, information security, China, energy & infrastructure buildout, geopolitics, contingency planning, economic security, and more.

• Contribute to timely research, analysis, and development of policy options as specific questions and policy windows arise.

• Monitor policy, geopolitical, and technical developments related to the specialties you develop.

• Contribute to the dissemination of research results to policymakers and other key stakeholders.

• Potentially perform technical tasks such as coding or data analysis.

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.

Additional required qualifications:

• Strong interest in topics our center works on, as indicated by relevant education, professional experience, personal blog posts, etc.

• Familiarity with potential advances in AI and their national security implications, and expertise in some of the specific topics our center works on, or an ability to rapidly develop those things.

• Ability to tailor communications to expert and non-expert audiences, ideally including explaining complex technical or legal topics and their policy implications to non-experts.

Preferred but not required:

• Interest in and ability to develop actionable policy recommendations and clear reasoning for and against them, including on short timelines and on whatever matters emerge as important and timely.

• Experience in the US government or advising or working with policymakers in relation to emerging technology and national security issues, including in the White House, Congress, the interagency process, and/or the intelligence community.

• Legal expertise or ability to develop that.

• Experience working on AI research/deployment and/or working at frontier AI companies.

• Familiarity with conducting China-related research, particularly primary source research.

• Aptitude for project management.

Applicants who meet the required qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply; the preferred qualifications are not necessary.

Education Requirements

This role requires at least a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline. Higher levels of education (e.g. PhD, JD, Master's) or experience are preferred. Relevant disciplines may include Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Law, Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, National Security, China Studies, or a related technical or policy-focused discipline.

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 1-year term appointment with a possibility of renewal for up to a total of 3 years, alongside options for longer term employment.

Application

Applications must include:

• 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). Applicants whose study and work experience has not involved producing shareable written products may submit a short, written summary (<1 page) of one or more recent projects or products they have worked on.

• A cover letter which responds to the following prompts:

• 1) Summarize in <200 words your career goals and why you are interested in this role.

• 2) Describe in <300 words one research direction you may want to pursue in this role. Describe what questions you would try to answer, what methods you would use, how many months of work would be required from you and/or colleagues, and what outcomes this research might help achieve (e.g., what important policy decisions it might inform). Also briefly describe your current key uncertainties about this project idea and how you would address them. This is just an assessment step and does not mean you would definitely work on this if hired.

Salary Range: $47,100- $156,500
In RAND's title system, this posting is for the following titles and corresponding salary ranges:

Research Project Specialist I: $47,100 - $68,100
Research Project Specialist II: $57,400 -$85,500
Research Project Specialist III: $75,700 - $112,400
Research Project Specialist IV: $102,800 - $156,500

This position is eligible for overtime.

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.