Information Scientist (Applied Technology Policy)

RAND; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

RAND is seeking Information Scientists to apply analytical and technical expertise to national security policy research. The role involves developing AI-enabled research tools, modeling approaches, and rigorous analysis to inform policymakers and stakeholders. Strong writing and presentation skills are essential.

Location includes Santa Monica, CA, with eligibility for security clearance. Candidates may have PhD or advanced degree with relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Strong analytic skills and ability to work on national security policy problems.
• Experience with design, development, testing and operation of AI-enabled research tools.
• Ability to present research to policymakers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Examine complex policy problems using innovative research approaches (modeling, AI-enabled tools).
• Conduct rigorous quantitative and qualitative analyses with diverse tools and methods.
• Interpret results to support stakeholder decision-making.
• Communicate research findings to policymakers and the public in written and oral form.
• Contribute to business development efforts

Skills

AI/ML methods

Data science

Policy analysis

Research communication

Education

PhD in CS/Engineering/Info Science

MS with 5+ years experience

BS with 10+ years experience

Tools

LLM applications

Agentic workflows

Modeling & simulation

Job description

Are you passionate about using your analytical skills to address critical policy challenges? RAND is seeking talented Information Scientists to join our team and contribute to impactful research in national security policy.

RAND researchers contribute to and lead innovative projects that deliver objective, reliable insights for the public and policymakers at multiple levels. They embrace challenges on diverse topics that require strong analytic capabilities, technical knowledge, and academic, industry, or government experience in organizational processes and decision-making.

Why RAND?

• Reputation for Excellence: Be part of a non-profit, non-partisan organization renowned for its rigorous and objective research.
• Dynamic Opportunities: Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams on diverse projects that challenge and expand your skills.
• Poised for Impact: Your research will inform thousands of policymakers, clients, and other stakeholders around the world.

Responsibilities:

Information Scientists at RAND apply their analytical and technical expertise to:

• Examine complex policy problems by developing innovative research approaches such as modeling and simulation and novel artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools.
• Execute this research using a broad range of analytically rigorous quantitative and qualitative research tools, methods, and skills.
• Interpret research results to support stakeholder decision-making.
• Communicate research results to policymakers and the public at all levels through written products and oral presentations.
• Contribute to business development efforts

Qualifications

Successful applicants will have demonstrated technical or methodological skills, and/or domain knowledge in the technical design, development, testing, application, and/or operation of information, communications, space, automation, or AI/machine learning systems. Relevant skills and knowledge may include:

• Cybersecurity systems implementation, security assurance, vulnerability risk management, or adversarial testing of AI-enabled systems
• Development, deployment, and evaluation of AI-enabled research or decision-support tools, including LLM applications, agentic workflows, or human-in-the-loop analytical systems
• Development, application, or policy analysis of financial technology systems, including digital assets and technology-enabled financial platforms and services
• Development of modeling and simulation approaches for space, autonomous, robotic, or other complex systems
• Analysis of large, complex datasets using data science or machine-learning methods

All research 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.

Experience

Experience with components of the Department of War is highly desired.

Professional or academic experience with a focus on the technical design, development, testing, application, and/or operation of engineered systems are preferred.

Successful applicants will be able to present strong evidence of research experience, demonstrated through authorship of academic publications, conference presentations, or prior professional reports. They will also be versatile with multiple research methods.

Education Requirements

The preferred candidate will have a PhD and 1-4 years of experience in computer science or engineering, information science, cyberengineering, robotics, or related field (such as mathematics, operations research, physical sciences, or closely related discipline). Applicants with a masters degree and at least 5 years of professional experience in one of these fields, or with a bachelors degree and at least 10 years of experience, will also be considered. Professional experience should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to design, execute and disseminate results of research using analytically rigorous methods.

Security Clearance

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Please note that U.S. citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. Candidates with an active U.S. security clearance are preferred.

Location

Washington, DC; Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh PA

Writing Sample Required

Successful applications will include documentation in the application package of academic and professional activities that meet stated qualifications. A writing sample of 3 pages or more is required when applying for this position. Applicants are encouraged to use recent research published in academic journals, conference proceedings, or research reports but may use reports or papers written for prior employment. Applicants whose written products have dissemination restrictions (e.g., are classified), may submit a short, written summary (i.e., less than one page) of one or more recent products they have developed. Note that applicants invited to interview will be required to provide a writing sample and present a seminar describing recent research. Writing samples can be redacted or subsequently submitted through restricted channels and the seminar can be held in a classified environment as needed.

Salary Range: $108,000 - $215,400

Associate Researcher: $108,000 - $174,000

Full Researcher: $123,100 - $215,400

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 as an Associate or Full researcher 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.