Position Description

RAND is seeking highly motivated practitioners who would like to use their technical and domain expertise to directly impact AI, biosecurity, and cybersecurity policy in government and beyond and help ensure that existing and future artificial intelligence systems are safe and secure.

RAND AI & Information Security Analysts advance RAND’s research in the intersection of AI, information security, and biosecurity by performing qualitative and quantitative research driving recommendations for the White House, multiple regulatory agencies, intelligence community, and other arms of the government and industry. They analyze AI security problems where the technical details matter and contribute to multidisciplinary project teams that include policy researchers, engineers, and research scientists.

AI & Information Security Analysts share and uphold RAND’s values to high-quality, rigorous analysis and objectivity, which has secured RAND's reputation for excellence and attracts studies that often pose novel challenges in analysis, modeling, research design, and computing. Analysts 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

AI & Information Security Analysts will use their technical skills and experience in AI, machine learning, data science, information security, and computer science to:

Develop AI-specific threat models and recommendations for risk mitigation
Execute evaluations and red-teaming exercises
Contribute to the development of research approaches that answer complex questions at the intersection of AI, information security, and policy
Apply a broad range of analytically rigorous, quantitative and/or qualitative research methods
Create tooling and software to support the above efforts
Translate and communicate results to varied audiences ranging from security professionals to public policy makers at all levels through written products and oral presentations

Qualifications

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 applicants will be able to present strong evidence of quantitative and/or qualitative research tools, methods, and technical skills to support large and complex projects; accomplishment with leading or managing large and complex project tasks or analytic tasks; contributions to written research projects, technical reports, and briefings; and training and technical supervision to less experienced staff.

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.

Education Requirements

A master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline, or a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience, is required. A MA/MS or equivalent (or BA/BS and 10+ years of related experience) in Cybersecurity, National Security Studies, Policy Analysis, Political Science or International Relations or related field is also acceptable. Relevant professional experience to meet these requirements should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to execute analytically rigorous methods related to information security.

Security Clearance

A security clearance may be required for some projects; U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Location

We are actively hiring for this position in San Francisco, CA, as well as our RAND offices in Washington, DC; Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; and Boston, MA. We offer a hybrid work arrangement, combining work from home and on-site options. For San Francisco-based employees, we provide access to a flex office space. Fully remote work will also be considered.

Writing Sample

Successful applications will include documentation in the application package of academic and professional activities that meet stated qualifications. 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, research project, technical analysis, 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.

Term

This position is a 1-year term position with a possibility of renewal each year for up to 3-years. RAND does not provide visa sponsorship or relocation support for this role.

Salary Range: $52,000 - $192,100

Analyst I: $52,000 - $71,500

Analyst II: $62,400 - $85,800

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

Analyst IV: $99,200 - $143,900

Analyst V: $125,900 - $192,100

Hiring ranges for Technical Analysts are slightly higher than the ranges shown.

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

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