Job Type:

Overview

One of seven business divisions at RAND, NSRD conducts research and analysis on national security issues for the United States, U.S. allies, other governments, and foundations. NSRD operates the National Defense Research Institute (NDRI), a U.S. federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that works with the Office of the Secretary of War, the Joint Staff, combatant commands, defense agencies, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and the Defense Intelligence Enterprise.

Within NSRD, The Navy and Marine Forces Program (NMF) helps the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps; allied maritime and amphibious forces, including Australia and Canada; and other clients manage acquisition, sustainment, personnel, force development and strategy issues by providing systems analysis, cost analysis, modeling and simulation, qualitative research and other methods as required.

The Director for NMF is responsible for oversight of the program’s research execution in a manner consistent with RAND’s mission to improve policy and decision-making through objective research and analysis. This includes leading and guiding the program’s research agenda, ensuring that the program’s research meets RAND’s quality standards, and developing strong relationships with research sponsors. The Director is responsible for business development and for growth of the program, including expanding the sponsor base in the U.S. and internationally and proactively adapting program emphasis to address emerging policy issues within the program’s domains. The Director will have, or be required to develop, a deep understanding of NMF sponsors’ needs and requirements—imperative for driving growth of the program and responsiveness to the evolving policy environment. The Director also works to enhance the visibility and policy impact of the program.  The Director position includes a minimum of 50% time commitment to running the program, which will scale with the size of the program. The director is expected to engage in research with the remainder of their time. This is a five-year term position that is renewable with management approval. 

Qualifications

Applicants should have an excellent track record in research and analysis in NMF’s policy domains through experience in FFRDC, government, academia, or elsewhere. A successful applicant will have robust experience with business development and a track record of growing funding for research in NMF’s policy domains and with sponsors. In addition, applicants should demonstrate deep knowledge of the policy environment, excellent strategic leadership and organizational management capabilities, and the ability to maintain and manage a complex research program. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to manage a portfolio of projects on time and on budget without sacrificing quality. The Director must have exceptional abilities in interpersonal relations, managing staff and client relationships, and in written and oral communications.

The Program Director must:

• Have experience working directly with senior national security officials, preferably in NMF’s policy domains;
• Provide intellectual leadership for program research;
• Have a proven track record in business development;
• Have national or international recognition as a policy expert in their field;

• Have successfully led FFRDC or similar projects, including complex, multi-disciplinary analysis
• Excellent ability to translate research findings into compelling insights digestible by policymakers while ensuring that briefings, written reports, and other products meet RAND standards for quality and objectivity

• Provide advice to the Vice President and Director of NSRD as part of the leadership team
• Participate in in recruiting, mentoring, and staff development; and

• Have experience with, and growing knowledge of, artificial intelligence (AI) beyond routine use of AI chatbots. This would ideally include knowledge of coding agents, Python, and RAND’ suite of AI application programming interfaces (APIs)

Education Requirements

Master’s degree in a relevant field is required; a PhD is desirable.  

Experience

The position is open to both external candidates and to internal research staff from all disciplines at the level of senior researcher. Research experience of at least 10 years is required. Candidates must have experience interacting with civilian and military leaders in a project leader or management role.

Security Clearance

A TS/SCI-eligible clearance is required.  Must be able to access classified material, and classified computing networks, on a regular (multiple times per week) recurring basis.

Location

This position will be located in one of the RAND offices, Washington (DC); Pittsburgh (PA); Santa Monica (CA). There is a preference for Washington or Pittsburgh. Employees in this arrangement are expected to work on-site an average of 50% of the time. Ability to travel for sponsor engagements is required. 

Salary Range

Senior Researcher: $171,800 - $268,400

At RAND, the research program management role is a termed assignment that is performed by an experienced researcher, but the researcher role is not a termed position. The candidate selected for this role will be offered regular employment with RAND as a researcher. 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. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off, and more.

Application Review

Review of applications will begin on the 30th of October.

Equal Opportunity Employer