Frontier AI Policy Research Resident

RAND Corporation; Santa Monica (CA); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

RAND Corporation's CAST unit seeks an AI Policy Research Resident, Associate or Specialist to drive frontier AI policy research, analyze policy frameworks, and deliver written products for senior policymakers. The role involves cross-disciplinary collaboration across CAST and RAND, rapid-response tasks, and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications include strong analytic and writing skills, familiarity with AI policy, and the ability to work in fast-moving environments.

Qualifications

• All research positions require excellent analytic skills; the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team; commitment to RAND’s quality and objectivity.

Responsibilities

• Own key research deliverables - including research design and methods, technical policy analysis, framework development, literature reviews, and stakeholder interviews - collaborating across multidisciplinary teams within CAST and RAND
• Contribute to rapid-response analysis on short timelines
• Draft policy briefs, research memos, report content, and other written products for technical and senior policy audiences
• Present policy briefs and reports to technical and non-technical audiences
• Monitor and assess U.S. and international AI policy, governance developments relevant to national and global security
• Help shape CAST's research agenda by identifying emerging policy questions and supporting client engagement

Skills

AI landscape context

AI policy understanding

Analytical writing

Policy pragmatism

Mission-driven

Education

Bachelor’s degree required

PhD or Master’s with relevant experience

Job description

RAND Corporation's CAST unit seeks an AI Policy Research Resident, Associate or Specialist to drive frontier AI policy research, analyze policy frameworks, and deliver written products for senior policymakers. The role involves cross-disciplinary collaboration across CAST and RAND, rapid-response tasks, and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications include strong analytic and writing skills, familiarity with AI policy, and the ability to work in fast-moving environments.