Research Analyst - Chemical, Biological, Radiological, & Nuclear Defense (CBRN)
Overview:
The Institute for Defense Analyses is a federally funded research and development center supporting the Department of Defense and other federal agencies that require rigorous and objective analysis of national security issues. The Strategy, Forces and Resources Division (SFRD) performs interdisciplinary analyses of plans and policies related to national security strategy; the structure and capabilities of US, allied, and adversary forces; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense (CBRN); organizational efficiency and management issues; and human capital challenges.
SFRD has an opening for a Research Analyst to support a portfolio of studies on CBRN defense, particularly biodefense. These studies examine a variety of issues including the risks posed by threats identified by the intelligence community, quantifying the potential CBRN environment that might challenge both US military forces and civilians, human physiological response to CBRN agents and effects, developing scenarios and vignettes to support exercises, modeling infectious disease spread, and assessing defensive technologies. The work is performed by interdisciplinary teams and while some tasks will be narrowly focused, others will address a broader spectrum of concerns. Our analyses are highly technical and involve considerable modeling and simulation. This work will require a willingness to learn the essentials of CBRN phenomenology and to execute quantitative analyses of the highest caliber.
Recent PhDs and PhDs with relevant experience are invited to apply. Individuals with a variety of technical backgrounds, such as those listed below, have brought unique perspectives and made lasting contributions to our research program.
Responsibilities:
Research Analysts are mid-to-senior level research staff positions, responsible for a broad spectrum of analytic functions from defining problems; determining appropriate approaches, modeling or developing and applying analytical tools to illuminate those problems; guiding junior staff in the application of the selected approaches and tools; interpreting results; and communicating findings (using both written and verbal means). The Research Analyst will work with the CBRN analysis group within SFRD as well as with analysts from throughout IDA on a diverse set of topics. Some research tasks will be narrowly focused, while others will address a broader spectrum of concerns. All will require a willingness to learn the essentials of CBRN phenomenology and to execute analyses of the highest caliber.
Qualifications:
- PhD in a relevant scientific area is required--physics, mathematics, statistics, engineering, or computer science.
- Command of modeling and quantitative techniques that could be applied to develop and utilize representational models of CBRN incidents is required. This requires proficiency with modern programming languages, (Python, R, Java, C/C++, etc.) and abilities to use and develop applications to process large data sets and to simulate relevant phenomenology.
- Demonstrated ability to identify sources, assemble, and organize large, complex data sets for which subsequent quantitative and qualitative analyses is desired.
- Strong analytical and communication (both written and verbal) skills, a capacity for independent thought and sound judgment, good interpersonal skills and the ability to contribute effectively to a team approach.
- At later stages in the process, applicants will be required to submit a writing sample that demonstrates the technical qualifications above and a copy of their transcripts for full consideration. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Candidates selected will be subject to a background check.
U.S. Citizenship is required