[Hiring] Open Source Research Resident, Emerging Technology & Security @RAND

Role Description

The RAND Center on AI, Security, and Technology's mission is to understand and address emerging threats to global security, particularly biosecurity and AI security. We are looking for an Open Source Research Resident to use online information to investigate and monitor emerging threats at the intersection of AI, biosecurity, and national security. You will build and maintain a picture of the actors, capabilities, and trends that matter most, and turn open-source signals into intelligence that drives concrete action.

• Following developments in Chinese AI, compute, and the semiconductor supply chain
• Tracking scientific and technical progress in high-consequence areas of biology, including emerging research directions such as mirror-life
• Monitoring for early signs of AI loss of control, including indicators of misalignment, deceptive or power-seeking behavior, and failures of human oversight in frontier systems
• Mapping technology and talent flows between the US and China
• Analyzing Chinese progress in biosecurity and the life sciences

Day to day, you will run investigations across a wide range of open and commercial sources, track technical and scientific developments, map organizations and talent networks, and produce clear, decision-ready assessments for both internal teams and external government and industry partners.

Qualifications

• Excellent analytic skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity
• Hands-on role with an operator's mindset
• Motivated by mission-driven work
• Track record of rigorous open-source analysis in a fast-paced environment
• Experience spanning national security, technology, and foreign-actor tracking
• Sharp analytic tradecraft with sound judgment about source reliability and significance
• Comfortable working across ambiguity on novel questions
• 5 years or more of relevant experience preferred
• Familiarity with AI or the life sciences is a strong plus

Requirements

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required
• Relevant fields include:
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Applied Physics
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Biology
  • Biostatistics
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Cybersecurity
  • Economics
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering and Public Policy
  • Engineering Physics
  • Epidemiology
  • Geology
  • Health Services Management
  • Information Security
  • Information Technology
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • Machine Learning
  • Mathematics
  • National Security Policy
  • Natural and Physical Sciences
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Policy Analysis
  • Political Science
  • Public Administration
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Security Studies
  • Statistics
  • Technology and Policy
  • Technical Discipline
  • or similar
• Minimum experience requirements for an Associate Biosecurity Resident or Associate AI Policy Resident:
  • A PhD in a relevant field
  • 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 education and experience requirements for a Technical Resident, Associate I:
  • A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity, Information Security, Information Technology, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Engineering and Public Policy, Technology and Policy, National Security Policy, Policy Analysis, Political Science, International Relations, or similar AND 1 year AI-focused real-world experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, which includes having U.S. citizenship, is preferred but not required

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Paid time-off
• Additional sabbatic pay when vacation is taken

Company Description

RAND is an independent non-profit that regularly engages with senior stakeholders within the USG, allied governments, and relevant industry stakeholders. This position is a 3-year term appointment with a possibility of renewal, alongside options for longer-term employment. Salary range is $90,400 - $274,300, depending on experience and qualifications.