AI Policy Resident

Job Type:
Term (Fixed Term)

RAND's Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) is seeking a mission-driven AI Policy Resident to contribute to and lead research at the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, national or global security, and U.S. domestic and international policy.

RAND is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that develops evidence-based solutions to public policy challenges. RAND's reputation for excellence is built on our commitment to quality, rigor, and objectivity. RAND's Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) , part of the Global and Emerging Risks (GER) Division conducts cutting-edge research on transformative, high-impact technologies-including artificial intelligence and biotechnology-to shape policies that protect global security and advance the public good.

Responsibilities:

• Lead or contribute to AI security and policy research focused on securing AI systems, assessing AI cyber capabilities, and examining policy implications.
• Conduct analysis on emerging AI security challenges, including threat models, system vulnerabilities, and priorities for security-focused R&D.
• Monitor and assess U.S. and international AI policy, legal, and governance developments relevant to national and global security.
• Communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences through policy briefs, presentations, and written research products in external and internal engagements.
• Contribute to CAST's strategic and operational effectiveness through cross-team coordination and support to senior AI Policy staff.
• Coordinate CAST AI policy with complementary workstreams across biosecurity and other national security workstreams.

Qualifications:
All research positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills; the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team; and a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

Required:

• Experience conducting research or analysis on AI, emerging technologies, or technology governance, including AI policy, AI infrastructure, or semiconductor ecosystems.
• Demonstrated technical literacy in AI systems and computing infrastructure, including understanding of AI capabilities, limitations, and security-relevant risks (e.g., compute, models, data, or supply chains).
• Experience producing analytically rigorous research outputs, demonstrated through policy reports, academic publications, technical memoranda, or comparable professional work.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical or scientific concepts and their policy implications to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage or substantially contribute to complex, multi-stakeholder research or projects.

Preferred:

• Experience engaging with U.S. government institutions or policy audiences on technology, science, or national security issues.
• Familiarity with software systems, data analysis, or technical research workflows sufficient to collaborate effectively with engineers and technical researchers.
• Background in ethics, law, or philosophy, or demonstrated ability to reason rigorously about normative and governance questions related to emerging technologies.
• Ability to work independently in ambiguous research environments and deliver high-quality outputs on short timelines.
• Experience mentoring or leading researchers or project teams.

Education and Experience Requirements:

RAND is hiring for this role at the Associate and Specialist level of experience.

Minimum requirements for an Associate are:

A PhD in a relevant field. This can include public policy, economics, international relations, political sciences, law or similar.

OR

A Master's degree in the fields listed above with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience.

OR

A Bachelor's degree in the fields listed above with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Minimum requirements for a Specialist are:

A PhD in a relevant field. This can include public policy, economics, international relations, political sciences, law or similar with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience.

OR

A Master's degree in the fields listed above with at least 6 years of relevant professional experience.

OR

A Bachelor's degree in the fields listed above with at least 8 years of relevant professional experience.

Security Clearance:
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance is preferred but not required.

Location:

We are actively hiring for this position in Washington, DC; San Francisco, CA; Boston, MA; Santa Monica, CA; and Pittsburgh, PA. The DC office is preferred. We offer a hybrid work arrangement, combining work from home and on-site options. Fully remote work will also be considered.

Term:
This position is a 3-year term appointment with a possibility of renewal and longer term employment.

Applications must include:

• A cover letter
• A detailed resume highlighting relevant academic and professional experience, including publications.
• A writing sample demonstrating analytical and communication skills. This sample may be a previously written paper or report (e.g., journal article, master's thesis or paper written for coursework, prior employment, or internship).

Salary Range: $110,900 - $183,300

AI Policy Resident, Associate = $110,900 - $152,500

AI Policy Resident, Specialist = $126,400 - $183,300

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including the specific role responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, paid time-off, and more.

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Equal Opportunity Employer