AI Policy Associate/AI Policy Researcher

Center for a New American Security•Washington, DC

2d•$70,000 - $165,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is hiring an AI Policy Associate / AI Policy Researcher to help the U.S. national security community understand and manage risks from advanced AI systems. The role works closely with a Senior Fellow to develop actionable policy ideas, analyzing technical developments at the intersection of advanced AI and cybersecurity, biosecurity, AI agents and loss of control, near-frontier open-weight models, and China’s AI ecosystem. It also offers opportunities to conduct independent research and writing on these themes. The position is part of CNAS’s Technology and National Security Program and the cross-cutting CNAS AI Policy Lab. The successful candidate will produce technically rigorous, decision-relevant research; track national security-relevant AI capabilities and developments; translate technical findings into policy products and briefings; and engage with U.S. policymakers and the broader AI policy community. The role also includes supporting research events and fieldwork and improving team processes. This is a full-time, in-person role based in Washington, D.C. It is a two-year, term-limited appointment and reports principally to the Senior Fellow. Candidates may start as soon as available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher.
For the AI Policy Researcher level, at least 2–3 years of full-time relevant work experience.
Working familiarity with advanced AI capabilities and risks, such as model evaluations, developers’ safety frameworks, open-weight models, or AI applications in cybersecurity or the life sciences, or a track record of quickly mastering technical subject matter.
Excellent writing skills, including diligent self-editing and fact checking.
Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to juggle multiple projects and competing priorities.
Good judgment about data quality and competing information sources.
Legal right to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Education or work experience in a technical or quantitative field, such as computer science, machine learning, cybersecurity, biology or the life sciences, engineering, physics, or mathematics.
In-depth knowledge of cybersecurity or biosecurity, including how AI models may shift the balance between offense and defense in these domains.
Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
Familiarity with China’s AI ecosystem, including its leading developers and model releases.
Strong familiarity with frontier AI capabilities, risks, and technical trends sufficient to form independent judgments about their policy implications.
Published research or writing on AI policy, AI safety, or AI security.
A computer science degree is welcome but not required.

Responsibilities

Conduct timely, technically rigorous research and analysis on risks from advanced AI systems, focusing on decision-relevant questions for U.S. policymakers and supporting the Senior Fellow and broader team.
Track national security-relevant capabilities and risks of leading AI models, including open-weight releases and models developed in China, and follow relevant technical, commercial, policy, and legislative developments.
Translate technical research into tailored products for U.S. policy audiences, including briefings, policy memos, and in-depth research reports.
Identify opportunities for research to inform decisions, shape policy debates, and build policymakers’ understanding of emerging technical issues.
Identify emerging policy questions, gaps in existing research, and opportunities for high-impact research; contribute to developing and scoping research ideas.
Meet with and brief U.S. policy officials in the Executive Branch and on Capitol Hill about advanced AI risks and policy recommendations.
Build and maintain relationships across the AI policy community, including government, Congress, industry, evaluation and research organizations, technical experts, media, and the diplomatic community.
Use relationships to anticipate policymakers’ needs, communicate research findings, and incorporate community feedback into the team’s work.
Support the Senior Fellow and broader team’s research agenda with administrative work, including organizing private workshops, briefings, and public events.
Organize domestic and international field research as needed to support the Senior Fellow and Program Director.
Contribute to strengthening internal team processes and organizational capacity.