National Security Economics Researcher

RAND Corporation; Washington (District of Columbia); Vor Ort; USD 111.000 - 283.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

RAND Corporation in Washington, DC is seeking a National Security Economics Researcher at all career stages to contribute to rigorous, policy-relevant research at the intersection of economics and national security. Your work will inform decisionmakers across defense, intelligence, and foreign policy communities with quantitative analyses and practical insights.

You will design, conduct, and communicate findings through short-form outputs for government partners and longer-form studies,

Qualifikationen

• Demonstrated training in quantitative research methods.
• Strong analytic skills and intellectual curiosity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication in English.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

Aufgaben

• Design and conduct rigorous economic analyses of national security problems.
• Frame priority questions and convene senior private-sector/practitioner groups to translate requirements into workable formats.
• Produce short-form analytic products for U.S. government decisionmakers and longer-form research on ongoing challenges.
• Develop reusable analytic frameworks, models, and tools, including AI-enabled capabilities for assessing economic leverage and resilience.
• Communicate research results to policymakers and the public through written products and oral presentations.
• Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal writing and sponsor relations.
• Mentor junior researchers and foster a collaborative, inclusive research environment.

Kenntnisse

Quantitative analysis

Policy research

Economic statecraft

Communication

Ausbildung

PhD in economics or related field

Master's with 10+ years research experience

Jobbeschreibung

Job Type: Regular Position

Description RAND's Economics, Sociology and Statistics (ESS) department is seeking a National Security Economics Researcher at all career stages to contribute to rigorous, policy-relevant research at the intersection of economics and national security. RAND researchers lead and contribute to projects that deliver objective, rigorous evidence to inform decisionmakers across the defense, intelligence, and foreign policy communities. Researchers working on national security economics in ESS bring quantitative analytical skills to bear on a wide range of questions, including how U.S. commercial economic power (i.e. the capacity embedded in private firms, markets, and industries) can be identified, protected, and operationalized to advance national security while sustaining domestic prosperity. Their work spans economic statecraft, sanctions, and export controls; supply chain and critical materials dependencies; the defense industrial base and manufacturing strategy; cost- and benefit-sharing between government and commercial actors; and the strategic implications of concentrated technical expertise in frontier technologies.

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 directly inform senior policymakers across the defense, intelligence, and foreign policy communities, and will draw on close engagement with senior practitioners across the private sector.

Responsibilities

National Security Economics Researchers at RAND apply their analytical and substantive expertise to: Design and conduct rigorous economic analyses of national security problems, including how commercial capabilities such as supply chains, financial networks, and technologies can be used to achieve strategic effects, and the secondary and tertiary consequences of doing so. Frame priority questions for and help convene small working groups of senior private-sector practitioners; translate government and RAND requirements into workable, unclassified formats; and distill practitioner judgment into objective, evidence-based findings. Produce short-form analytic products for U.S. government decisionmakers on timelines matched to the requirement alongside longer-form research on generational challenges such as cost- and benefit-sharing in national security, human capital as a strategic good, and manufacturing as a source of commercial economic power. Develop reusable analytic frameworks, models, and tools, including commercially informed tabletop exercises and AI-enabled capabilities for assessing economic leverage, exposure, resilience, and private-sector incentives. Communicate research results to national security policymakers and the public through written products and oral presentations. Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal writing and cultivating relationships with sponsors in the defense and national security community, as well as with private-sector partners and supporters. Mentor junior researchers and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive research environment.

Qualifications

All research positions at RAND require: Demonstrated training in quantitative research methods Strong analytic skills and intellectual curiosity Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English The ability to work effectively as a member of inclusive, multidisciplinary teams A strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity Successful applicants will have demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following content areas: Economic statecraft, including sanctions, export controls, investment screening, and the national security uses of financial networks Industrial organization, supply chains, and the defense and broader industrial base, including manufacturing, critical minerals, energy, and logistics Public economics and mechanism design, including measuring and allocating private costs and benefits in public-private collaboration Economics of innovation and human capital in frontier technologies such as AI, semiconductors, and biotechnology International trade, finance, and macroeconomics as they bear on strategic competition

Experience

We welcome applications from candidates at all stages of their research careers, from recent PhD graduates to experienced senior researchers. Applicants should present evidence of research experience appropriate to their career stage, demonstrated through academic publications, conference presentations, or prior professional research products. The ability to conceptualize research studies and contribute to business development, commensurate with career stage, is expected. Experience working with private-sector practitioners, for example in finance, energy, manufacturing, technology, or law, or translating market insight for government decisionmakers is highly desirable.

Education Requirements

A PhD in economics, finance, policy analysis, or a closely related field; or a Master's degree with 10+ years of research experience. Economists (with a recent PhD in economics) should apply through Job Openings for Economists (JOE) to ensure application review aligns with the job market cycle.

Security Clearance

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance is strongly preferred.

Location

Washington, DC

Salary Range

Salary Range: $110,900 - $283,100 Associate Researcher: $110,900 - $180,300 Full Researcher: $126,400 - $211,700 Senior Researcher: $171,800 - $283,100 Hiring ranges for Economists, Management Scientists and Physician Researchers are slightly higher than the ranges shown. 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, 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).

Application Deadline

This notice will be open until November 16, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RAND is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND’s research and analysis address issues that impact people everywhere, including security, health, education, sustainability, growth, and development. RAND has approximately 1,750 people working in offices in the United States, Europe, and Australia, with annual revenues of $470 million. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. Our research is sponsored by government agencies, international organizations, and foundations. We rely on philanthropic support to pursue visionary ideas; address critical problems that are under-researched; and devise innovative approaches for solving acute, complex, or provocative policy challenges. RAND values objectivity and integrity in both its research processes and internal interactions. We emphasize a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff. RAND's reputation is built on quality and objectivity. RAND provides an exciting intellectual environment and opportunities for career growth with challenging assignments. As collaboration in interdisciplinary teams is an essential operating principle at RAND, we hire highly qualified talent and empower our people to do their best work by fostering a culture in which different views, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued and respected, and staff have a sense of belonging with their colleagues, fair access to opportunities, and feel comfortable bringing their best selves to work each day. As part of our commitment to Equal Opportunity Employment, we welcome all applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences to apply for this exciting opportunity. RAND is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.