Policy Researcher (Biosecurity)

RAND Corporation
Washington, DC, USA
Posted 

Job Description

Job Type:
Regular
Position Description
RAND is seeking highly motivated researchers and practitioners who would like to use their technical and domain expertise to directly impact government biosecurity policy to analyze policy problems of national and international importance for preventing pandemics and other biological catastrophes.
RAND Policy Researchers in Biosecurity conduct qualitative and quantitative research to produce actionable policy recommendations for the White House, national security and intelligence communities, Department of Defense (DoD), and other arms of the government and industry. They analyze biosecurity problems where the technical details matter, and contribute to multidisciplinary project teams that include policy researchers, engineers, scientists, and public health professionals.
Biosecurity policy researchers share and uphold RAND’s values to high-quality, rigorous analysis and objectivity, which has secured RAND's reputation for excellence and attracts studies that often pose novel challenges in analysis, modeling, research design, and computing. Researchers apply their skills in novel and flexible ways to emerging problems at the cutting edge of their fields and apply their insights to critical policy issues.
Responsibilities:
Biosecurity policy researchers will use their practical knowledge and experience in biosecurity policy and practice, coupled with their technical and methodological skills (e.g., in engineering, operations research, applied mathematics, and physical sciences) to:
  • Develop research approaches to solve complex government biosecurity policy problems
  • Execute this research using a broad range of analytically rigorous, quantitative and/or qualitative research tools, methods, and skills
  • Interpret research results to support decision-making surrounding complex biosecurity policy problems
  • Communicate results to public policy makers at all levels through written products and oral presentations
Qualifications
All research positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills; the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both orally and in writing; the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team; and possess a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.
In addition, successful applicants will have:
  • Experience in nucleic acid synthesis, AI-enabled biodesign, dual-use research of concern, potential pandemic pathogens, personal protective equipment, bioterrorism, or pathogen agnostic biosurveillance preferred.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and ability to analyze or implement policies involving strategy, doctrine, operations, tactics, systems or organization.
  • Ability for quantitative analysis and modeling, including modeling of uncertainty.
  • Experience in government, intelligence community, or other relevant decision-making offices preferred, but not required.
  • Ability to present strong evidence of research experience, demonstrated through authorship of academic publications, conference presentations, or prior professional reports.
Applicants with more than 10 years of professional experience will have demonstrated leadership experience through the following activities: mentoring and developing junior staff members; leading and directing multi-disciplinary teams; setting project standards and monitoring progress; engaging with stakeholders; and communicating research results to policy-making audiences.
Education Requirements
A PhD; or Master’s degree with 5 years of relevant professional experience; or Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of relevant professional experience, in engineering, operations research, mathematics, computer science, management science, business administration, or information science is required.
OR
A PhD in Statistics, Biostatistics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Geology, or other natural and physical sciences is required.
OR
PhD or equivalent in Policy Analysis or any technical discipline, Health Services Management, Public Health, Epidemiology or Business; or MPP, MPH, or Master’s degree with 5 years of relevant professional experience in a technical discipline with demonstrable proficiency in formal methods of decision support analysis is required.
OR
MD with demonstrable proficiency in clinical or other scientific research methods is required.
Relevant professional experience to satisfy education requirements should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to design, execute and disseminate results of research using analytically rigorous methods.
Security Clearance
Ability to obtain and maintain a government clearance is preferred, but not required.
Writing Sample Required
Successful applications will include documentation in the application package of academic and professional activities that meet stated qualifications. A writing sample of 3 pages or more is required for this position. Applicants are encouraged to use recent pieces that have been published in academic or other journals, but may use master’s theses or papers written for coursework, prior employment, or internships. Note that applicants invited to interview will be required to present a seminar describing recent research.
Location
Washington DC; Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; or Boston, MA. Open to full time remote.
Salary Range
Associate Researcher: $100,000 - $154,200
Full Researcher: $115,400 - $190,000
Senior Researcher: $152,700 - $262,500
Hiring ranges for Economists, Management Scientists and Physician Researchers are slightly higher than the ranges shown.
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. Successful candidates will be offered employment as an Associate or Full researcher in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet

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