Principal Research Scientist

CNA Corporation; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan with employer-m

Generous paid time off

Job summary

CNA Corporation is seeking a Principal Research Scientist in Arlington, VA. The role requires leading highly complex analytic projects, building strong sponsor relationships, and guiding staff and teams across divisions.

The candidate will apply advanced analytic methods and demonstrate leadership in shaping new work for government clients and strategic partners. The position emphasizes independent work, cross-team collaboration, and delivering insightful, data-driven results to senior leaders.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher required; PhD preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in research and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead large, complex analytic projects with high sponsor visibility.
• Develop and shape new work with existing and new sponsors/clients.
• Mentor staff and coordinate cross-team activities on projects.
• Lead business development efforts and competitive proposals.
• Communicate analytic results clearly to senior leaders and sponsors.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical methods

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Master's degree

PhD preferred

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Primary Purpose

CNA is hiring for a Principal Research Scientist.

A Principal Research Scientist at CNA is a recognized expert in specific fields/research areas and has demonstrated leadership skills. Staff at this level will typically lead projects addressing complex issues that may be large in size and will have clear accountabilities for business development and for managing, growing, and enhancing client/sponsor relationships. They will operate as a senior researcher at CNA HQ or in the field.

To reach the best solutions and solve the most challenging questions, CNA uses a merit-based process to bring together professionals from a wide array of academic disciplines, fields of study, technical specialties, and professional experiences. Our flexible and engaging work environment encourages open inquiry, robust and respectful debate, and collaborative execution through every stage of the problem-solving process. Our employees are committed to helping clients develop effective solutions to better manage their programs through scientific, data-driven approaches. We are looking for creative and innovative individuals to help carry out our mission.

Job Description And/Or Duties

• Work independently and effectively on a wide range of non-traditional analytic problems that are of increasing complexity, and increasing visibility & significance to our sponsors/clients. Routinely take the lead in supporting the work and development of other staff either individually or as a member of a project team. Consistently produce the highest quality analysis.
• Operate as a recognized expert in a specific field/research area within CNA; leverage that expertise to enhance CNA's reputation with existing clients/sponsors. Develop and maintain deep, specific institutional knowledge and expertise of new and existing clients/sponsors; their culture, organization, and issues. Apply that knowledge and expertise to lead development and shaping of new work for both existing & new sets of clients/sponsors.
• Treats everyone respectfully, professionally and fairly. Leads collaboration efforts. Contributes to development of supervisor's vision and proactively takes actions to realize that vision. Takes a business unit and corporate perspective; supports corporate initiatives. Recognizes and acknowledges contributions from subordinates.
• Has independent responsibility to pursue business development opportunities and develop new clients/sponsors. Uses network of clients/contacts to develop and sustain sponsor base, and develop new networks of clients/sponsors. Writes competitive proposals and provides major support in marketing one or more areas.
• Shape/influence how our sponsors/clients think about issues. Deliver fundamental change. Play a lead role in enhancing CNA's reputation as an organization. Play a lead role in efforts to enhance CNA's reputation via publishing and outreach activities.

Communicate complex analytic results in a clear and concise fashion to sponsors/clients at all levels, and to audiences of all sizes. Summarize and synthesize large bodies of work down to the essential elements and convey those results effectively and efficiently, in both written and oral form, to the most senior leaders in client organizations. Effectively communicate with & engage colleagues at all levels of the organization.

Work independently under limited supervision from division management. Lead our largest and/or most complex and significant projects or multiple projects simultaneously. Take responsibility for making connections and integrating work across teams and divisions.

Effectively distribute responsibilities to the appropriate people and levels. Serve as a role model/mentor for other staff regularly in the home division and occasionally in other divisions. Develop internal and external networks of contacts and have a positive influence on those networks. Play an active role in supporting corporate initiatives, and support senior leadership initiatives to realize CNA's goals and vision.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Education: Minimum Master’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience, PhD preferred.
• Experience: Typical minimum requirements 15+ years of experience in research and analysis.
• Skills: Demonstrated ability to apply leading-edge principles, theories, and concepts to solve the most complex problems of critical importance to clients; Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and develop solutions, to formulate problem statements conducive to application of analytical methods, and to develop analysis methods and approaches; Ability to work in an unstructured environment; Demonstrated ability to identify, evaluate, and propose original and practicable methods of resolving complex problems; Demonstrated ability to supervise program and project operations by developing procedures, planning and directing all aspects of the effort, and monitoring and reporting progress; Demonstrated ability in managing projects, contracts, funds, and resources; ability to conceptualize, develop, and manage execution of a portfolio of projects in support of multiple client organizations; Demonstrated ability to interact, communicate, and advise at senior levels in government and the parent corporation; Widely considered expert in a broad scope of applications and uses of analytic methods; Excellent communications skills, both oral and written; experience in packaging analytic results in report format as well as in development and presentation of oral briefings.
• Other: Ability to obtain and maintain an Active Secret Security Clearance.

Compensation and Benefits

• competitive salaries
• health, dental, and vision insurance
• life and disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• generous paid time off programs to promote a health work-life balance

CNA is committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service and protected veterans, or other non-merit based factors.

In addition to federal legal requirements, CNA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

These protections extend to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting and hiring practices, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training and career development programs.

For more information about EEO protections, please view the EEO is the law poster here: "Know Your Rights".

To be considered for hire, all individuals applying for positions with CNA are subject to a background investigation.

For positions requiring access to classified information, U.S. citizenship is required.

Individuals will also be subject to an additional government background investigation, and continued employment eligibility is contingent upon the ability to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.