Research Scholar

North Carolina State University; North Carolina; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Retirement Programs

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Job summary

North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC seeks a Research Scholar to design, prototype, and refine data-driven analytic tools. You will guide prototype projects, collaborate with analysts, and help transition research concepts into usable, classified-like environments while advancing LAS priorities.

The role emphasizes rapid prototyping, usability evaluation, and iterative improvement within a multidisciplinary team. Requires strong communication and project coordination across departments.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field or a master’s with 3+ years of post-degree professional experience.
• Ability to work with a research community and end-users in iterative design/development.
• Demonstrated exceptional communication skills and leadership potential.

Responsibilities

• Develop analytic solutions and prototype software for data-driven challenges.
• Collaborate with analysts to improve workflows and integrate approaches.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate LAS and NC State resources.
• Publish research results and participate in workshops to advance LAS goals.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Research experience

Leadership potential

Education

PhD or relevant terminal degree

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number: PG194855EP

Internal Recruitment: No

Working Title: Research Scholar

Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with education and experience.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 40 hours a week

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Department: Laboratory for Analytic Sciences (LAS)

About The Department

The mission of the Laboratory for Analytic Sciences ( LAS ) is to imagine, investigate, and implement innovative solutions for a variety of tactical and strategic analytic challenges. A government team with professional knowledge in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and social and behavioral disciplines, in collaboration with correspondingly diverse academic and industry partners, will create advanced technology and analysis tradecraft in accordance with the U. S. Intelligence Community objective to maintain global awareness and strategic foresight. NC State and its partners will provide consultation, engineering, research, development, test, evaluation, and assessment services to further the mission of the LAS and enhance related research and mission endeavors.

Wolfpack Perks And Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

• Medical , Dental , and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership , and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

The Laboratory for Analytic Sciences ( LAS ) advances innovative analytic capabilities through multidisciplinary research and collaboration. The Research Scholar role leads the design, prototyping, and refinement of data‑driven analytic tools, technologies, and tradecraft that address complex analytic challenges.

The position applies advanced data‑science methods to create solutions that are operationally relevant and aligned with analyst workflows. It requires a disciplined, iterative development approach centered on rapid prototyping, usability evaluation, and continuous improvement.

The Research Scholar also coordinates LAS and NC State resources that support analytic development; organizes and contributes to collaborative research teams; and supports strategic research priorities. The role is essential in integrating emerging technologies with analytic tradecraft to produce mission‑focused, high‑impact outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Solution Development and Applied Research

• Work with operational users and subject matter experts to develop analytic solutions that address strategic challenge problems.
• Design and implement software prototypes and solutions that support the transition of research concepts into classified, operational environments
• Provide technical guidance and oversight of multiple prototype development efforts.
• Understand how technical products mature and guide the development of prototype efforts into transitionable knowledge and products.
• Investigate methods of integrating multiple complementary technical efforts.
• Collaborate with operational analysts to develop technical solutions that improve analysts’ workflows.
• Serve as an organizational resource for expertise and knowledge of analytic approaches
• Implement, evaluate, and rigorously compare different analytic approaches, in particular approaches that utilize AI and Machine Learning models
• Collect and curate datasets necessary to support the unclassified investigation of research questions relevant to classified applications
• Contribute to LAS’s overall research direction, including the development of new projects and LAS’s annual research portfolio

Project Management

• Align the technical scope of projects with strategic objectives and resource constraints.
• Define reasonable and beneficial deliverables for research and development projects and help manage their progress.
• Communicate with project leads to identify and address the needs of various performers.
• Ensure that LAS leadership is informed on the current status and progress of research and development efforts.
• Work with LAS leadership to manage budget and resource needs for various projects.
• Other duties as assigned

Other Responsibilities

• Leverage expertise to assist various research efforts in identifying and procuring relevant datasets.
• Identify relevant and beneficial research areas, and integrate complementary research efforts.
• Publish research and attend workshops/conferences to promote LAS .
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Relevant Ph.D degree (or relevant terminal degree), or relevant Master’s degree with at least 3 years of formal post-degree professional work experience. In rare instances, an individual with a comparable professional experience but less than a master’s degree, plus 8 years of exceptional relevant professional experience. May require terminal degree and licensure.

Other Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work with research community to identify beneficial applications of basic research concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to work directly with end-users in an iterative design/development environment.
• Demonstrated ability to identify challenges/opportunities and propose feasible solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a positive and helping attitude
• Demonstrated exceptional communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience collaborating with either, and preferably both, the academic or intelligence communities.
• Experience with managing software development projects that incorporate research components.
• Experience solving practical problems in large-scale analytics that require advanced technical skills.
• Ability to extract core concepts from technical research papers and implement them in prototype solutions.
• Ability to extract core concepts from technical research papers and implement them in prototype solutions.
• Preference is given to those with project management experience and certification.
• Preference is given to dynamic individuals with demonstrated leadership skills.
• Preference is given to those who currently hold active TS/ SCI security clearance with full-scope polygraph.

Required License(s) Or Certification(s)

Position will be required to maintain an active TS/ SCI security clearance with polygraph.

Valid NC Driver's License required: No

Commercial Driver's License required: No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date: 09/08/2026

Anticipated Close Date: 9/22/2026; if posting is still active we are accepting and reviewing applications.

Position Details

Position Number: 00105323

Position Type: EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week): 1.00

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID: 061801 - Lab for Analytical Sciences

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail] .

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.