AI Security Research Scientist (Hybrid/Remote)

RAND Corporation; Santa Monica (CA); Hybrid; USD 132,000 - 339,000; Full time

Job summary

RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, CA, seeks AI security researchers to advance the technical foundations of AI safety. The role demands deep expertise across CS, cryptography, formal methods, or ML systems, with the ability to lead projects from problem formulation to publication.

Candidates should publish at top venues and communicate results to technical and policy audiences. This three-year term includes options to renew and explore longer-term opportunities within RAND.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent, original technical research.
• Deep expertise in at least one area such as theoretical computer science, cryptography, formal methods, programming languages, computer security, systems, computer architecture, or machine learning systems.
• Ability to identify and formulate important research problems, showing creativity and initiative in the conception and execution of projects.
• Strong programming or systems-building ability in languages such as Python, Rust, Go, C/C++, or equivalent tools appropriate to the candidate's research area.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex research projects from conception through completion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, geographically distributed environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent, original technical research.
• Identify important research questions and lead projects from conception through publication.
• Communicate results through peer-reviewed publications, reports, artifacts, and policy-facing products.
• Develop research artifacts and experimental systems; publish at leading venues.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and guide junior researchers.

Skills

Independent research

Theoretical CS

Programming in Python

C/C++

Lead research projects

Communication skills

Collaborative work

Education

PhD in CS/EE/Math/Physics

MS with 3+ years experience

BS with 5+ years experience

Tools

Python

Rust

Go

C/C++

Job description

RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, CA, seeks AI security researchers to advance the technical foundations of AI safety. The role demands deep expertise across CS, cryptography, formal methods, or ML systems, with the ability to lead projects from problem formulation to publication.

Candidates should publish at top venues and communicate results to technical and policy audiences. This three-year term includes options to renew and explore longer-term opportunities within RAND.