AI Security Researcher — Remote Options

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid time-off

Job summary

RAND’s Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) seeks researchers to advance AI safety foundations. This role is for those with deep expertise in theoretical CS, cryptography, formal methods, programming languages, or ML systems.

You will conduct original research at the intersection of AI and security. You will communicate results via peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, and policy-facing outputs.

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 original research on technically challenging problems at the intersection of AI and security.
• researchers are expected to exercise independent scientific judgment in identifying important questions, developing appropriate methods, and leading projects from problem formulation through analysis, implementation, experimentation, and publication.
• The work may span fundamental research, systems building, empirical evaluation, and technical analysis.
• Your research will inform both the broader technical community and analysis delivered to senior government and industry leaders.
• You will communicate results through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, research artifacts, and policy-facing products for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Theoretical CS

Cryptography

Formal Methods

Programming Languages

Computer Security

Systems

Machine Learning Systems

Education

PhD in CS/EE/Math/Physics

Master’s +3 years experience

Bachelor’s +5 years experience

Tools

Python

Rust

Go

C/C++

Job description

RAND’s Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) seeks researchers to advance AI safety foundations. This role is for those with deep expertise in theoretical CS, cryptography, formal methods, programming languages, or ML systems.

You will conduct original research at the intersection of AI and security. You will communicate results via peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, and policy-facing outputs.