Address
Form of workJob Type:
Regular
Diversity at RAND
Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential operating principles at RAND. We are committed to maintaining a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff, where individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person's talents and strengths. This commitment is guided by an organization-wide framework for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and paired with significant investments to sustain and center these principles in leadership, research, and community and stakeholder engagement. An advisory council comprised of staff at all levels provides critical feedback and perspective on the organization's diversity, equity, and inclusion plans and activities. Employee Resource Groups are staff-driven grassroots communities that seek to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at RAND by facilitating community, connection, and a greater sense of belonging and well-being among colleagues. In our recruitment and retention efforts, we seek unique backgrounds, original views, and diversity in academic training, work experience, and ideological outlook.
Position Description
RAND is seeking highly motivated researchers and experienced practitioners who would like to apply their System Acquisition expertise to Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and Business Case Analysis (BCA), and other related analyses to directly impact government acquisition and other policies. The U.S. federal government spends hundreds of billions of dollars each year to acquire and sustain systems that support our national and homeland security. RAND AoA/BCA System Acquisition Researchers conduct research that informs the policies and decisions surrounding acquisition strategy and operations. They lead and contribute to multidisciplinary project teams to analyze acquisition policy problems where the technical details matter.
Acquisition research and analysis are carried out by four federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) that focus on U.S. national and homeland security policy issues. AoA/BCA System Acquisition 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:
The AoA/BCA System Acquisition Researcher will use their expertise in AoAs, BCAs, and other related analyses, coupled with their technical and methodological skills (e.g., in engineering, operations research, applied mathematics, and physical sciences) to:
Qualifications
Successful applicants will have demonstrated technical or methodological skills, and/or domain knowledge in one or more BCA- or AoA-related areas. Examples of these skills and knowledge include:
Experience applying these skills to AoAs or BCAs for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Department of Defense (DoD) systems is preferred.
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 a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.
Education Requirements
A Ph.D. in engineering, operations research, applied mathematics, physical sciences, or related fields is preferred. A master's degree with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, or a bachelor's degree with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience, is acceptable.
Experience
Relevant professional experience should demonstrate the applicant's ability to design, execute and disseminate results of BCA, AoA or related research using analytically rigorous methods.
Successful applicants will be able to present strong evidence of research experience, demonstrated through authorship of academic publications, conference presentations, or prior professional reports.
Successful 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 the RAND community and to policy-making audiences.
Security Clearance
Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Please note that U.S. citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
Location
Santa Monica, CA; Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA; Offsite work arrangements will be considered.
Application Materials
Salary Range
Associate Researcher: $94,800 - $148,350
Full Researcher: $109,600 - $181,075
Senior Researcher: $145,500 - $251,175
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, Full, or Senior 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
Regular
Diversity at RAND
Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential operating principles at RAND. We are committed to maintaining a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff, where individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person's talents and strengths. This commitment is guided by an organization-wide framework for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and paired with significant investments to sustain and center these principles in leadership, research, and community and stakeholder engagement. An advisory council comprised of staff at all levels provides critical feedback and perspective on the organization's diversity, equity, and inclusion plans and activities. Employee Resource Groups are staff-driven grassroots communities that seek to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at RAND by facilitating community, connection, and a greater sense of belonging and well-being among colleagues. In our recruitment and retention efforts, we seek unique backgrounds, original views, and diversity in academic training, work experience, and ideological outlook.
Position Description
RAND is seeking highly motivated researchers and experienced practitioners who would like to apply their System Acquisition expertise to Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and Business Case Analysis (BCA), and other related analyses to directly impact government acquisition and other policies. The U.S. federal government spends hundreds of billions of dollars each year to acquire and sustain systems that support our national and homeland security. RAND AoA/BCA System Acquisition Researchers conduct research that informs the policies and decisions surrounding acquisition strategy and operations. They lead and contribute to multidisciplinary project teams to analyze acquisition policy problems where the technical details matter.
Acquisition research and analysis are carried out by four federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) that focus on U.S. national and homeland security policy issues. AoA/BCA System Acquisition 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:
The AoA/BCA System Acquisition Researcher will use their expertise in AoAs, BCAs, and other related analyses, 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 acquisition 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 government acquisition policy problems.
- Communicate research results to public policy makers at all levels through written products and oral presentations.
Qualifications
Successful applicants will have demonstrated technical or methodological skills, and/or domain knowledge in one or more BCA- or AoA-related areas. Examples of these skills and knowledge include:
- Cost analysis
- Requirements analysis
- Capability and/or effectiveness analysis
- Risk and/or benefit analysis in support of acquisition decisions
- Acquisition/procurement policy and statute (e.g., JRC, JCIDS, FAR, PPBE)
Experience applying these skills to AoAs or BCAs for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Department of Defense (DoD) systems is preferred.
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 a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.
Education Requirements
A Ph.D. in engineering, operations research, applied mathematics, physical sciences, or related fields is preferred. A master's degree with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, or a bachelor's degree with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience, is acceptable.
Experience
Relevant professional experience should demonstrate the applicant's ability to design, execute and disseminate results of BCA, AoA or related research using analytically rigorous methods.
Successful applicants will be able to present strong evidence of research experience, demonstrated through authorship of academic publications, conference presentations, or prior professional reports.
Successful 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 the RAND community and to policy-making audiences.
Security Clearance
Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Please note that U.S. citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
Location
Santa Monica, CA; Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA; Offsite work arrangements will be considered.
Application Materials
- Successful applications will include documentation in the application package of academic and professional activities that meet stated qualifications.
- CV, cover letter, and a writing sample are required (PDF documents are preferred). 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 and that the seminar can be held in a classified environment as needed.
Salary Range
Associate Researcher: $94,800 - $148,350
Full Researcher: $109,600 - $181,075
Senior Researcher: $145,500 - $251,175
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, Full, or Senior 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
