Research Analyst

The Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), under the School of Foreign Service, is seeking applications for multiple Research Analyst roles. Research areas we are seeking to hire for include frontier AI, i.e. issues related to cutting-edge, general-purpose AI systems; military applications of emerging technologies, including Chinese AI development; and work on the intersection of cybersecurity and AI.

CSET is a research organization focused on studying the security impacts of emerging technologies, supporting academic work in security and technology studies, and delivering nonpartisan analysis to technologists and policymakers. CSET focuses on the frontiers of artificial intelligence, advanced computing, cyber, and biotechnology, as well as security applications, governance, and workforce for emerging technologies.

CSET is located in Georgetown University’s Capitol Campus near Union Station. Members of our team are challenged with meaningful work, offered ongoing opportunities for professional development and learning, and contribute to a collegial and engaging environment where they can thrive. We are deeply committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

We are specifically looking for Research Analysts who can contribute to one of the following Research Areas:

Frontier AI (New Research Area): This research aims to give policymakers and stakeholders greater clarity about the general-purpose AI frontier, including current capabilities, use cases, risks, and where the frontier might move next, including the prospects of artificial general intelligence or "superintelligence." Key areas for examination will include Chinese frontier AI efforts, the development of increasingly capable AI agents, conflicting evidence around capabilities and risks, and the compute demands of frontier systems.

Applications: This research explores how can the U.S. government and its allies make effective use of artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) and other emerging technologies? Examining AI-enabled emerging technologies relevant to national security, opportunities and challenges for adoption and application, and opportunities for alliances in the development and deployment of AI-enabled systems. Additionally, this research area explores Chinese AI development as it relates to national security.

Cyber/AI: This research area focuses on the intersection of AI/ML and cybersecurity, including analysis of AI/ML’s potential uses in cyber operations, the potential failure modes of AI/ML applications for cyber, how AI/ML may amplify future disinformation campaigns, and geostrategic competition centered around cyber and AI/ML.

We may also hire for other research areas depending on our application pool. Please flag additional research areas of particular interest in your cover letter.

Regardless of research area, all analysts are expected to conduct literature reviews, build and analyze datasets, and produce clear written products for policymaking audiences to support their respective research areas. This requires comfort engaging with technical literature, working with empirical data, and communicating findings to non-expert readers.

Responsibilities

• Research Analysts will report to a CSET Research Area Lead and will be responsible for:
• Collaborating with Research Fellows, other (Senior) Research Analysts, Data Scientists, and Center leadership to develop and execute research proposals.
• Conducting analyses of data sets to derive insights and present findings in graphical and written formats.
• Supporting research tasks like analyzing data and preparing appropriate data presentations, completing literature reviews, conducting research interviews, identifying and analyzing additional data and information sources from non-academic sources.
• Contributing to and coauthoring written publications under the supervision of Research Leads.
• Attending DC briefings and events and providing summaries to relevant staff.
• Developing and helping to deliver presentations and briefs for policy-making audiences on topics related to emerging technologies, specifically, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), National Security, and associated policy considerations.
• Monitoring trends and developments in AI, ML, and national security policy.
• Supporting research with data-focused analytic tasks, such as identifying and evaluating data sources; preparing relevant datasets for analysis and executing appropriate analytic methodologies to extract information from those datasets; and generating data presentations and graphics suitable for reports, briefs and other CSET products with guidance from members of the Data Science Team
• Supporting grant proposals and funder reports.
• Contributing to CSET’s organizational development, including contributing to internal working groups, seminars, and discussions.
• Upholding CSET’s mission, vision and values.
• Additional duties as assigned.

• Requirements and Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in research and policy analysis, including interpreting and visualizing data
• Ability to carry on assigned tasks with limited supervision
• Experience with Excel/Google Sheets (e,.g., pivot tables, vlookup)
• Familiarity with at least one statistical analysis language/program like Python, R, STATA, SAS, or, SPSS (or equivalents)
• Proficiency with office productivity tools like Google Docs, Microsoft Office, etc.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills
• Motivated, enthusiastic and self-driven
• Ability to work successfully in a collaborative matrixed/multi-disciplinary environment
• Alignment with CSET’s mission, values and culture
• Ability to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

• Preferred Additional Qualifications
• Our ideal applicant would have at least 1-2 of the following additional skills:
• MA/MS in a relevant field
• Coursework in statistics, probability, econometrics, or related fields.
• Familiarity with SQL

This position is based in the United States and offers no relocation assistance. This position is not eligible for a specialty-occupation sponsorship and, accordingly, this position requires that all applicants be legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship from Georgetown University.

PLEASE NOTE:

• A complete application must include the following:
• 1. Resume/CV
• 2. Cover Letter that addresses the following questions:
• What are you interested in the position,
• What CSET Research Area(s) are you interested in supporting and,
• What academic or professional experience qualifies you for this position?
• 3. Writing Sample: Please provide a self-selected writing sample of at least two pages (e.g., class paper, prior project work, etc.).

In general, Research Analysts can expect to earn between $72k and $80k per year, commensurate with experience.

For ease of reviewing all submissions, we ask that candidates submit all application materials, including their resume and cover letter, and writing sample, as a single document in Workday. PDF or DOCX formats are accepted. We encourage all candidates to apply, even those unsure whether they meet all the requirements for the role.

• Work Mode Designation
• This position has been designated as Hybrid. Please note that work mode designations are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the University. Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of work designation. Complete details about Georgetown University’s mode of work designations for staff positions can be found on the Department of Human Resources website: https://hr.georgetown.edu/mode-of-work-designation.