Biosecurity Research Resident

Job Type:

Overview

RAND's Meselson Center, part of the Global and Emerging Risks (GER) division, is seeking mission-driven biosecurity experts to address critical challenges at the intersection of biosecurity, information security, and national security. As a Biosecurity Research Resident, you'll manage and lead projects that directly impact biosecurity policy at the highest levels of government and industry.

Your work will address key questions related to global and emerging biosecurity risks, understanding options for prevention and resilience, and examining their policy implications. You will be responsible for significant research budgets and personnel, leading complex projects that span both technical research and policy analysis. For example, you might lead projects to evaluate or mitigate risks from AI-enabled biological tools, secure the bioeconomy supply chain, or develop domestic or international policy to avoid extreme risks.

RAND's reputation for excellence is built on our commitment to high-quality, rigorous analysis and objectivity. In this role, you will apply quantitative and qualitative skills to rigorously analyze biosecurity problems of national and international importance. Leading multidisciplinary teams of policy researchers, engineers, and scientists, you’ll shape recommendations for the White House, multiple regulatory agencies, the intelligence community, other national governments, and industry.

You will communicate the results of your work to both technical and non-technical audiences through quick-turnaround policy briefs and detailed written research products. A recent example of one of our research products is the Synthesis Screening report, which examined the current state of nucleic acid synthesis screening and offered recommendations for policymakers and industry leaders to further secure these technologies.

This role offers a unique opportunity to drive key policy decisions, ensuring the responsible development and deployment of powerful biological tools.

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.

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 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 infectious disease 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 U.S. government clearance is preferred but not required.

Location

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

Writing Sample

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.

Term

This position is structured as a focused three-year appointment to create the urgency needed to drive ambitious change in this rapidly evolving field. Every day of your tenure will count toward achieving ambitious projects in biosecurity. The appointment may be renewed for additional time, with options for longer-term employment at RAND thereafter.

Salary Range: $115,400 - $262,500

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 range 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 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