Research Analyst - Quantitative Analysis (Entry Level PhD)

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Research Analyst - Quantitative Analysis (Entry Level PhD)

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, organizational efficiency and management issues, human capital challenges, and the use of risk management processes to align strategy and resources. The SFRD has an opening for a Research Analyst, preferably with significant work experience, to contribute to analyses principally focused on quantitative aspects of strategy/ policy development and risk management.
Responsibilities
Research Analysts are career research staff, typically with PhDs. Research Analysts engage with senior US government officials to develop research programs on government policy, budgetary, and program choices. After defining a research question, Research Analysts:
Develop and implement research plans
Select appropriate methodologies and analytic tools for research
Collect or oversee the collection of data
Implement and apply software appropriate to the research problem (including developing software code to operationalize statistical and/or dynamic models)
Interact with research subjects, including subject matter experts, in the research process and with research sponsors in communicating results
Direct more junior research assistants and associates in development of software code and in applying the code to test hypotheses
Some research tasks will be narrowly focused, while others will address a broader spectrum of concerns. Research Analysts contributing to SFRDs strategy and risk programs of work will apply advanced stochastic models, simulation techniques, and optimization methods to problems associated with homeland defense, infrastructure protection, and economic / industrial base security. Research Analysts are expected to demonstrate proficiency in rigorous quantitative analysis and to be familiar with modern computer science techniques, including programming in high level languages and applying computational and data processing software. Research Analysts are members of interdisciplinary research teams and must demonstrate strong interpersonal communications skills and contribute effectively to a team approach to problem solving. The issues that IDA addresses change constantly and Research Analysts are expected to be adaptable and self-motivated, demonstrating a capacity for independent thought and sound judgment while creatively applying quantitative analysis methods to complex policy problems. As part of the research process, IDA research teams will travel to US government or US security partner field locations (typically headquarters or office-like locations).

Qualifications
Must have a PhD (or be a PhD candidate) in operations research, statistics, computer science, mathematics, engineering or a quantitative social science with a record of accomplishments and demonstrated research experience in constructing statistical models from real data, stochastic and deterministic modeling and simulation, optimization, numerical methods, algorithm development, data processing, and/or design of experiments.
Requires experience with the development and maintenance of cross-platform (Windows and Linux) user interface software written in one or more modern programming languages (C/C++, Python, Java, Bash, etc.).
Requires demonstrated proficiency in conducting analyses featuring large, complex data sets and in producing and communicating results of formal models using mathematical analysis software (e.g. STATA, MATLAB, R, or SAS).
Requires experience in developing and linking Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and in testing and deploying software, including the development of unit tests.
Requires the ability to communicate complex concepts simply and clearly in written and spoken contexts.
Applicants are REQUIRED to submit a copy of their graduate school transcripts for full consideration. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Please attach these as separate documents from the resume.
Desired knowledge and experience include:
Ability to produce clear, presentation-quality tables, graphs, charts, and diagrams depicting complex relationships using statistical processing software, Excel, and Power Point.
Prior experience in the military, government, or non-governmental organizations performing national security-related work.
Experience developing and implementing software in high performance computing (HPC) environments.
Experience in design of experiments, data elicitation protocols, and social surveys.
Experience in designing and implementing machine learning algorithms for complex data analysis.
Why work at IDA?
Competitive salary and benefits, including health insurance options, generous (11%) contribution to retirement, 6 weeks 100% paid parental leave, 20 days paid time off per year (plus holidays), and relocation reimbursement.
Mission-oriented work at a non-profit that supports and protects our Nations warfighters; as a non-profit, IDA employees are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL).
Organization-wide commitment to diversity in the workplace and to providing a working environment free from discrimination, by fostering a culture of active citizenship and implementing data-driven processes of continuous feedback and learning.
Professional development including tuition reimbursement, internal and external trainings, and funding for researcher-focused projects and publications.
A strong employee and corporate culture of work-life balance, including commitment to average 40-hour work weeks through flex time, partial telework options, and expectation of work communication only during core business hours.
Located in Alexandria's high-tech corridor, IDA's brand new Potomac Yard facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, workspaces and amenities, including a cafeteria, grab-n-go cafe and gym.
Easy access to local dining and shopping, the Potomac Yard Metro stop, and the Potomac Yard DASH bus stop. Employer contributes $300/month (IRS max) to commuter benefits.
U.S. Citizenship is required
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required
IDA is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a fair recruiting process and working environment free from discrimination. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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