Research Librarian - National Security and Defense

RAND Corporation; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

RAND Corporation in Washington, D.C. seeks an experienced librarian to join the Classified Research Services team as a Research Informationist.

You will deliver advanced research and reference services to RAND staff with emphasis on national security, defense policy, and government research, collaborating across RAND’s portfolio. The role requires strong knowledge of defense information sources, open-source research, and the ability to manage literature reviews, provide consultations, and

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years providing reference and consulting services in a library setting.
• Knowledge of defense, government, and policy information sources and research databases.
• Experience working with faculty or professional research staff in academic or government/corporate environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to present information to groups.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Literature searching

Open-source research

DTIC databases

EndNote

Client service

Security awareness

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

MS/MA in library/information science

Tools

Alma/Primo

Job description

Job Type: Regular

Overview

This national security and defense-focused position offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced librarian to provide expert research and reference services to RAND's 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 RAND's 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.

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 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.

Salary Range

$88,000 – $130,900

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. 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.

Supervisory Organization: Knowledge Services - Classified Research Services, reporting to the Manager, Classified Research Services)

Knowledge Services (KS) accelerates the success of RAND staff and their sponsors and clients through its three collaborative service areas: Library Research Services, Corporate Archives & Special Collections, and Technical Services. KS is a unit within the Information Services department, and reports to the VP/CIO. KS, as with all of RAND, believes that the core of our mission is to improve the policies that affect people’s lives. We strive to foster a culture of respect, empowerment, value, and growth for all staff.

Equal Opportunity Employer