RESEARCH FELLOW (AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS)

National Defense University (DOD); Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

National Defense University (NDU) seeks a Research Fellow for Unmanned and Autonomous Systems within INSS to advance research on DoW policy, teach JPME, and engage with senior DoD leaders.

The position emphasizes publishing peer‑reviewed work, presenting findings, and coordinating with U.S. government and industry partners, while supporting university service and administrative duties.

Qualifications

• Doctorate or ABD in a discipline listed for INSS Fellows (policy, IR, political science, eng, etc.).
• Record of high‑quality, peer‑reviewed publications and policy reports.
• Experience presenting research to DoW senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Experience teaching JPME courses and contributing to curriculum development.

Responsibilities

• Research: conduct applied research for the warfighter and publish annually.
• Engagement: present findings to senior DoD officials and engage with partners.
• Teaching/JPME: teach core/elective JPME courses and mentor students.
• University Service: support NDU-wide scholarship and committee work.
• Administrative Requirements: complete reports and travel/clearance tasks as needed.

Skills

Research

Publishing

Engagement

Teaching JPME

Education

Doctorate or ABD in relevant field

Master’s + 5 years policy research experience

Job description

National Defense University (NDU) supports the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world.

This is a Title 10 Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment is not to exceed 2 years with the possibility for extension.

Summary

Help
Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort McNair, DC
1 vacancy
No matching locations found.
Work site options

Telework eligible: Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

Remote job: No

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

$116,488 – $129,393 per year

Pay scale & grade: AD 3

Promotion potential: 3

Work schedule: Full-time

Travel Required: Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type: Term – 2 years

• Occupations and job series: 0101 Social Science

Supervisory status: No

Federal service type: This job is in the Excepted Service

Represented by a union: No

Drug test: No

Security clearance: Sensitive Compartmented Information

Position sensitivity and risk: Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Background check type: National security

Financial disclosure required: No

NDU-27-13101743-EB

Control number: 890864200

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens.

Duties

INTRODUCTION

The mission of the United States (U.S.) National Defense University (NDU) is to educate joint warfighters and other national security leaders in critical thinking and the creative application of military power.

The Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) is the research arm of NDU. INSS Fellows provide decision advantage to the Department of War (DoW), including the Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of War, Combatant Commands and Services through applied, cutting‑edge research, analyses, and wargaming.

MAJOR DUTIES

The Research Fellow for Unmanned and Autonomous Systems (“Autonomous Systems”) resides within INSS’ Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Program. The major duties and responsibilities associated will be as follows:

++Research.++ All INSS Fellows are required to conduct applied research in support of the warfighter. This research may be conducted independently or as part of a collaborative team. INSS Fellows publish their research in the form of books, journal articles, and/or policy papers and are required to author no less than two, original, high‑quality, peer‑reviewed journal articles or policy reports annually. INSS Fellows also are encouraged to promote their research at symposia, through blogposts, and opinion pieces.

++Engagement.++ All INSS Fellows are required to coordinate their research topics with, and present findings to, DoW senior officials (General Officers / Senior Executive Service). INSS Fellows disseminate their findings in the form of interim and final briefings, trip reports, and/or policy memoranda. INSS Fellows also are encouraged to engage with other U.S. government stakeholders, U.S. military allies and partners, relevant think tanks, academic institutions, businesses, and the larger national security enterprise, depending on their expertise. These engagements may include conferences, workshops or wargames.

++Teaching/JPME.++All INSS Fellows are considered research faculty. INSS Fellows also contribute to the intellectual community of Joint Professional Military Education institutions in general, and to the National Defense University in particular. This includes teaching core or elective courses, guest lecturing, contributing to curriculum developing, collaborating on programs targeting student, faculty, and/or staff development, and/or significant student mentoring or advisory programs within NDU. Teaching support is based on the needs of the colleges but also with consideration of INSS Fellows’ expertise and ongoing research.

++University Service.++ All INSS Fellows are required to support NDU‑wide scholarship. These activities may include serving on university hiring or promotion boards, participating in the Institutional Review Board, maintaining an NDU‑wide community of interest (COI), supporting NDU leader engagements, and/or convening roundtables, tabletop exercises, or conferences (and publishing conference reports) for the NDU community and DoW stakeholders.

++Administrative Requirements.++ INSS does not have designated administrative support staff. As such, all INSS Fellows are expected to comply with administrative requirements in a timely manner. This requirement includes completing monthly reports, travel request forms, country and theater clearance request forms, travel vouchers, conflict of interest paperwork, training requirements, and other administrative tasks. The Autonomous Systems Fellow should expect to adhere to these basic administrative requirements.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or be exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.ssa.gov/)
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
• The position is governed by 10 USC 1595 and NDUI 1416.0l dated March 2017.
• Must be able and willing to travel both domestically and internationally. Travel is seldom required. Less than 20% of the time.
• The incumbent must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

++Education:++ Doctorate or all‑but‑dissertation status (ABD) from a regionally accredited university (or international equivalents) in an appropriate discipline including, but not limited to, public policy, international relations/affairs, political science, engineering, military history, data science, national security studies, computer science, or operations research. Or doctorate, all‑but‑dissertation status (ABD) from a regionally accredited university (or international equivalents) in an interdisciplinary field that integrates these and other relevant areas of study. Or Master’s degree in fields listed above with at least five years professional experience in an industry, policy, government or defense‑affiliated research position focused on unmanned and autonomous systems.

++Research & Publications:++ Record of high‑quality, peer‑reviewed, journal articles, books, and/or policy reports related to unmanned and autonomous systems, to include work drawing implications for the U.S. defense industrial base, force design, defense planning and/or joint warfighting. And demonstrated knowledge of research methodologies, including the ability to identify, acquire, and analyze primary and secondary sources of information pertaining to defense strategy and policy.

++Engagement:++ Experience presenting research findings and their implications for U.S. national security to DoW senior leaders, other federal government audiences, and industry executives. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate that their research has had an impact on U.S. defense strategy and policy.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience conducting research on autonomous systems directly for, or in support of, DoW, particularly as part of policy think tanks, DoW or industry‑affiliated research labs, or federally funded research and development centers.
• Experience working in, with and/or coordinating with, industry in key areas of DoW programs in unmanned and autonomous systems and/or related technological areas.
• Experience in teaching graduate‑level courses in relevant areas involving international affairs, national security policy, or joint warfighting.
• Experience conducting research or policy analysis on the implications of unmanned and autonomous systems for force design, defense planning, and/or joint warfighting.
• Experience executing complex, multidiscipline, research studies and/or leading multidiscipline research teams.
• Experience conducting research or policy analysis on Defense Industrial Base dynamics related to unmanned and autonomous systems, including scaling production capacity, securing supply chains, and/or rapid acquisition.
• Current Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information Security Clearance.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education Requirement: Doctorate or all‑but‑dissertation status (ABD) from a regionally accredited university (or international equivalents) in an appropriate discipline including, but not limited to, public policy, international relations/affairs, political science, engineering, military history, data science, national security studies, computer science, or operations research. Or doctorate, all‑but‑dissertation status (ABD) from a regionally accredited university (or international equivalents) in an interdisciplinary field that integrates these and other relevant areas of study. Or Master’s degree in fields listed above with at least five years professional experience in an industry, policy, government or defense‑affiliated research position focused on unmanned and autonomous systems.

Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if the position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified PRIOR to appointment, if selected for the role.

* An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence PRIOR to appointment.

• Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
• For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

Background or Security Investigation: This is a Special Sensitive position which requires a background investigation. The individual selected for this position is required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security determination to occupy a Special Sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment.

Accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 18 month trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

Reemployed Annuitants: Department of Defense has the authority to hire annuitants without reduction in pay. For more information, go to: https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/policy/retirement/reemployedannuitant

All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on‑line, you may contact 317-212-4434 for assistance.

National Defense University (NDU) is the premier national security institution focused on advanced joint education, leader development and scholarship. Under the direction and leadership of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the oversight of the Director for Joint Force Development, Joint Staff (J‑7), NDU offers a collegial and collaborative academic environment to support the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) and other graduate level programs to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world.

NDU is comprised of six primary educational institutions and four additional component agencies: National Intelligence College (NIC), National War College (NWC), Dwight Eisenhower School (ES), Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC), College of International Security Affairs (CISA), the College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC), Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), International Student Management Office, Operations Support and the CAPSTONE General and Flag Officer Course.

NDU has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security, and thrift savings plan (TSP); health, life, and long‑term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. NDU employees enjoy flexible work schedules, transit subsidy and situational telework opportunities.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A screening panel will review your resume and narrative answers to the assessment questions to evaluate your qualifications for the position. NDU uses a multi‑tier selection process for academic positions.

Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ [e-mail]

Required documents

1. Resume: A two‑page maximum resume is required. Applicant guidance on the two page resume requirement may be found at: Learn more about the new resume requirements.
2. Complete initial Eligibility Questionnaire: Your resume must demonstrate the quality of your work as it relates to the experience requirements outlined in the job announcement.
3. Other Supporting Documents – Refer to the eligibilities section for documents to submit.

NOTE: Transcripts are not required at time of application submission. Your resume and narrative answers to the hiring criteria will be reviewed by the NDU screening panel to evaluate your qualifications for the position. If selected for an interview, official transcripts will be requested at that time to verify educational requirements are met.

Eligibilities Information: The following supporting documents are REQUIRED to verify your individual eligibility status. Not all will apply for each applicant. They MUST be received by the closing date of the announcement.

1. SF‑50: Current and former federal employees, including those currently working for the agency, must submit their SF‑50 (Notification of Personnel Action) reflecting their highest grade held on a permanent basis for at least 52 weeks, tenure, and appointment type. Failure to provide this document may result in disqualification.
2. If you claim Veteran’s Preference:

• You must submit a copy of your DD Form‑214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active duty service, type of discharge and the character of service. Alternatively, If you are a current military member in active duty service and do not have a copy of your DD Form‑214, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application for this position. The certification should also include your rank, dates of active duty service and what they condition of discharge is thought to be.
• If claiming 10-point preference and/or are a 30% or more Disabled Veteran, you must submit both a DD Form‑214 or expected discharge documentation as described above AND a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your branch of service certifying the presence of service‑connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability
• If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point derived veterans’ preference (i.e. a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran claiming veterans’ preference when the veteran is unable to use it), you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF‑15) “Application for 10‑Point Veteran’s Preference” and any required documents indicated on the SF‑15 to substantiate the claimed preference.

1. Other documents identified in the announcement.

WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by the closing date of the announcement at 11:59 EST, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that information entered or uploaded is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request