Research Librarian - National Security and Defense

RAND; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

RAND Corporation in Washington, D.C. invites a Research Informationist to provide advanced research and reference services across national security and defense domains.

You will conduct literature searches, develop information plans, and support researchers with proposals while collaborating with cross-functional teams. TS/SCI clearance is preferred, with hybrid onsite work in the DC area.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years providing reference and consulting services in an academic, special, or government library setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of defense, government, and policy information sources and research databases.
• Experience working with faculty or professional research staff in either an academic or government/corporate environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the demonstrated ability to present information to groups.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced, complex consulting and research services to RAND research and administrative staff; partner on short- and long-term projects.
• Perform literature searches and compile bibliographies; prepare literature reviews.
• Assist researchers with proposal development across national security, defense policy, and government research domains.
• Develop customized information and current awareness plans for national security research divisions.
• Identify and search defense, government, and policy information sources including DTIC and government reports.
• Monitor publications and trends to inform client services.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, including AI-assisted tools, to enhance workflows.
• Cultivate client relationships and collaborate with colleagues to meet demonstrated needs.
• Participate in cross-functional teams for outreach and service enhancements.
• Contribute to collections of electronic resources; evaluate resources and analyze metrics.
• Provide support, consultations, and training on databases, resources, and research tools.

Skills

Advanced research consulting

Literature searching

Open-source literature

EndNote / citation tools

Client service

Education

MS/MA in Library/Information Science

TS/SCI clearance

Tools

Alma/Primo

Job description

This national security and defense-focused position offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced librarian to provide expert research and reference services to RANDs geographically diverse world-class research and administrative staff. The primary focus of this position is national security, defense policy, and government research, though the role contributes to general reference services across RANDs broader research portfolio. As a member of the Classified Research Services (CRS) team, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in providing high-level information services in a defense, government, or research library setting and thrives in a collaborative and collegial environment. The position reports to the Manager, Classified Research Services, and is based in the Washington D.C. office. At RAND this role is called a Research Informationist.

RAND is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that provides leaders with the information they need to make evidence-based decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide advanced, complex consulting and research services to RAND research and administrative staff; partner with research staff on short- and long-term projects, providing an array of research and consulting services
• Perform literature searches and compile bibliographies and other outputs using electronic resources and commercial databases; prepare associated literature reviews
• Assist researchers with proposal development across national security, defense policy, and government research domains
• Develop and deploy customized information and current awareness plans for national security and defense-focused research divisions
• Identify and search defense, government, and policy information sources including DTIC, and other government research and oversight reports
• Monitor defense, national security, and policy publications and trends to inform client services
• Evaluate and explore emerging technologies, including AI-assisted tools, to enhance support for research workflows
• Cultivate client relationships and collaborate with colleagues to ensure resources and services meet demonstrated need
• Participate in cross-functional teams to develop and implement effective and innovative outreach activities and service enhancements
• Participate in projects to develop relevant collections of electronic resources; evaluate new and existing resources; analyze collection metrics
• Provide support, consultations, and training on relevant databases, resources, and research tools
• Other duties as assigned

Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of defense, national security, and government information sources and databases (e.g., DTIC, CRS reports, GAO reports)
• Ability to conduct comprehensive literature searches across policy and defense-related databases using advanced search techniques
• Experience identifying and searching open-source and grey literature sources relevant to defense and national security topics
• Proficiency using EndNote or other citation management tools
• Excellent client service skills
• Excellent attention to detail, ability to prioritize tasks, work independently, and meet a high standard of work
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, to solve problems creatively, and build effective partnerships using excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to handle sensitive and classified information in accordance with applicable security protocols and procedures

Qualifications Required

• Minimum of 5 years providing reference and consulting services in an academic, special, or government library setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of defense, government, and policy information sources and research databases
• Experience working with faculty or professional research staff in either an academic or government/corporate environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the demonstrated ability to present information to groups

Preferred

• Minimum 6-years' experience preferred
• Experience supporting national security, defense policy, or government research programs
• Background or degree in political science, international relations, military history, public policy, or a related field
• Secondary experience or background in one or more of the following subject areas: health sciences, science/technology, economics, education and labor, or other areas of RAND research
• Experience with Alma/Primo library systems platform
• Familiarity with classified or restricted information environments and associated security requirements
• Active U.S. government security clearance preferred

Education

• MS/MA in Library/Information Science is required.
• Clearance
• This position requires a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) U.S. government security clearance. Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. Candidates with an active TS/SCI clearance are preferred.

Location

• This position will be in the RAND Washington D.C. office (Arlington, Virginia). Hybrid available with 80% on-site presence required.