Research Analyst – Strategic Analyses And Joint Military Operations

Overview:

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a non-profit federally funded research and development center. IDA provides answers to questions posed by the Department of Defense and other agencies that require careful analysis. IDA takes great pride in the high caliber and timeliness of its analyses, which are produced in an atmosphere that encourages independent thinking and objective results.

Responsibilities:

The Joint Advanced Warfighting Division (JAWD) has an immediate opening for a Research Staff Member (RSM) with a strong background in Joint operations (operational expertise from all military branches). Operational and senior staff experience is of equal importance to relevant analytical skills and educational background. Full-time professional staff at IDA are expected to be able to work independently, as a members of a study team, or to lead teams of highly qualified researchers and analysts.

Research Staff are expected to be familiar with standard methods for collecting, compiling, summarizing, analyzing and presenting qualitative and quantitative data/information. They should be able to develop or apply appropriate methods to support the needs of particular studies or analyses (for example wargames, structured interviews, and seminars). As members of interdisciplinary research teams, researchers must demonstrate strong communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills with the ability to contribute effectively to a team approach to problem solving.

The national security issues that IDA addresses change constantly, and researchers are expected to be adaptable and self- motivated, demonstrate a capacity for independent thought, sound judgment, and creativity in analyzing complex policy, operational, and technical problems. IDA research teams may travel to US government or US security partner locations (typically, but not always headquarters or office-like locations). Researchers may be required to conduct field research activities as projects require.

Duties include:

• Supporting or leading the analyses of topics relating to joint and coalition military operations, warfare theory and concepts, as well as associated enabling and other strategic activities.
• Conducting independent analyses using appropriate analytical tools, research methods, and best practices.
• Managing project teams (schedule, resources, and deliverables) as well as government sponsor relationships.
• Contributing to written task reports, papers, and briefings to Government officials. Lead planning meetings with individuals and organizations outside of IDA and interact with senior Government representatives.
• Researching topics independently, compiling data, and presenting information both orally, visually and in writing.

Qualifications:

• 10 or more years of relevant work experience.
• Highly qualified candidates will have experience (military or civilian service) within the Department of Defense including: OSD, Service headquarters or major component, Joint Staff, Combatant Command, Theater Service Component or equivalent.
• Experience in operational planning; design, execution, and analysis of wargames; operational assessments and related analytical approaches; as well as familiarity with intelligence analyses.
• Candidates are highly encouraged to submit a cover letter outlining their interests, skill set, experiences, and education.
• Candidates will be asked to provide a writing sample demonstrating research and writing skills.
• PhD or Masters Degree (Strategy, Political Science, International Relations, History, Public Policy or related disciplines).
• Successful completion of a background check is required.

Desired Qualifications:

• A strong interest in innovation in a national security context.
• Interest in publishing in professional literature outlets.