Job Type: Regular Position Description RAND's Economics, Sociology and Statistics (ESS) department is seeking a National Security Economics Researcher at all career stages to contribute to rigorous, policy-relevant research at the intersection of economics and national security. RAND researchers lead and contribute to projects that deliver objective, rigorous evidence to inform decisionmakers across the defense, intelligence, and foreign policy communities. Researchers working on national security economics in ESS bring quantitative analytical skills to bear on a wide range of questions, including how U.S. commercial economic power (i.e. the capacity embedded in private firms, markets, and industries) can be identified, protected, and operationalized to advance national security while sustaining domestic prosperity. Their work spans economic statecraft, sanctions, and export controls; supply chain and critical materials dependencies; the defense industrial base and manufacturing strategy; cost- and benefit-sharing between government and commercial actors; and the strategic implications of concentrated technical expertise in frontier technologies. Why RAND? · Reputation for Excellence: Be part of a non-profit, non-partisan organization renowned for its rigorous and objective research. · Dynamic Opportunities: Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams on diverse projects that challenge and expand your skills. · Poised for Impact: Your research will directly inform senior policymakers across the defense, intelligence, and foreign policy communities, and will draw on close engagement with senior practitioners across the private sector. Responsibilities: National Security Economics Researchers at RAND apply their analytical and substantive expertise to: Design and conduct rigorous economic analyses of national security problems, including how commercial capabilities such as supply chains, financial networks, and technologies can be used to achieve strategic effects, and the secondary and tertiary consequences of doing so. Frame priority questions for and help convene small working groups of senior private-sector practitioners; translate government and RAND requirements into workable, unclassified formats; and distill practitioner judgment into objective, evidence-based findings. Produce short-form analytic products for U.S. government decisionmakers on timelines matched to the requirement alongside longer-form research on generational challenges such as cost- and benefit-sharing in national security, human capital as a strategic good, and manufacturing as a source of commercial economic power. Develop reusable analytic frameworks, models, and tools, including commercially informed tabletop exercises and AI-enabled capabilities for assessing economic leverage, exposure, resilience, and private-sector incentives. Communicate research results to national security policymakers and the public through written products and oral presentations. Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal writing and cultivating relationships with sponsors in the defense and national security community, as well as with private-sector partners and supporters. Mentor junior researchers and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive research environment. Qualifications All research positions at RAND require: Demonstrated training in quantitative research methods Strong analytic skills and intellectual curiosity Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English The ability to work effectively as a member of inclusive, multidisciplinary teams A strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity Successful applicants will have demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following content areas: Economic statecraft, including sanctions, export controls, investment screening, and the national security uses of financial networks Industrial organization, supply chains, and the defense and broader industrial base, including manufacturing, critical minerals, energy, and logistics Public economics and mechanism design, including measuring and allocating private costs and benefits in public-private collaboration Economics of innovation and human capital in frontier technologies such as AI, semiconductors, and biotechnology International trade, finance, and macroeconomics as they bear on strategic competition Experience We welcome applications from candidates at all stages of their research careers, from recent PhD graduates to experienced senior researchers. Applicants should present evidence of research experience appropriate to their career stage, demonstrated through academic publications, conference presentations, or prior professional research products. The ability to conceptualize research studies and contribute to business development, commensurate with career stage, is expected. Experience working with private-sector practitioners, for example in finance, energy, manufacturing, technology, or law, or translating market insight for government decisionmakers is highly desirable. Education Requirements A PhD in economics, finance, policy analysis, or a closely related field; or a Master's degree with 10+ years of research experience. Economists (with a recent PhD in economics) should apply through Job Openings for Economists (JOE) to ensure application review aligns with the job market cycle. Security Clearance The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance is strongly preferred. Location Washington, DC Application Materials/Writing Sample A CV, cover letter, and at least one writing sample of 3 or more pages are required when applying. Applicants are encouraged to use recent research published in academic journals, conference proceedings, or research reports; policy memos or other short-form analytic products are also welcome. Applications should include documentation of academic and professional activities that meet the stated qualifications. Note that applicants invited to interview will be required to present a seminar describing recent research. Salary Range: $110,900 - $283,100 Associate Researcher: $110,900 - $180,300 Full Researcher: $126,400 - $211,700 Senior Researcher: $171,800 - $283,100 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, 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 Application Deadline This notice will be open until November 16, 2026. Equal Opportunity Employer RAND is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND’s research and analysis address issues that impact people everywhere, including security, health, education, sustainability, growth, and development. RAND has approximately 1,750 people working in offices in the United States, Europe, and Australia, with annual revenues of $470 million. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. Our research is sponsored by government agencies, international organizations, and foundations. We rely on philanthropic support to pursue visionary ideas; address critical problems that are under-researched; and devise innovative approaches for solving acute, complex, or provocative policy challenges. RAND values objectivity and integrity in both its research processes and internal interactions. We emphasize a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff. RAND's reputation is built on quality and objectivity. RAND provides an exciting intellectual environment and opportunities for career growth with challenging assignments. As collaboration in interdisciplinary teams is an essential operating principle at RAND, we hire highly qualified talent and empower our people to do their best work by fostering a culture in which different views, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued and respected, and staff have a sense of belonging with their colleagues, fair access to opportunities, and feel comfortable bringing their best selves to work each day. As part of our commitment to Equal Opportunity Employment, we welcome all applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences to apply for this exciting opportunity. RAND is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact Human Resources at (310) 393-0411 or at [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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