AI Security Researcher

RAND • Pittsburgh, DC

3d

About The Position

RAND’s Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST), part of the Global and Emerging Risks Division, seeks researchers to advance the technical foundations of AI safety. The role is intended for researchers with deep expertise in areas such as theoretical computer science, cryptography, formal methods, programming languages, systems security, computer architecture, distributed systems, or machine learning systems. Researchers conduct original work on technically challenging problems at the intersection of AI and security, exercising independent scientific judgment to identify important questions, develop methods, and lead projects from formulation through analysis, implementation, experimentation, and publication. Work may include fundamental research, systems building, empirical evaluation, and technical analysis.

Research will inform the technical community and analysis delivered to senior government and industry leaders. Researchers communicate results through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, research artifacts, and policy-facing products for technical and non-technical audiences. RAND is hiring at associate, specialist, and expert experience levels. The role is a three-year term appointment, with the possibility of renewal and opportunities to explore longer-term employment at RAND. In-person, hybrid, and fully remote work options are available. Offices are located in San Francisco, Washington, DC, Santa Monica, Pittsburgh, and Boston. U.S. visa support may be considered. A writing or code sample is required.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent, original technical research.
• Deep expertise in at least one relevant area, such as theoretical computer science, cryptography, formal methods, programming languages, computer security, systems, computer architecture, or machine learning systems.
• Ability to identify and formulate important research problems, with creativity and initiative in conceiving and executing projects.
• Strong programming or systems-building ability in Python, Rust, Go, C/C++, or equivalent tools appropriate to the research area.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex research projects from conception through completion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, geographically distributed environment.
• Strong research record demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, significant research artifacts, or equivalent technical contributions.
• Excellent analytic skills, ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, and commitment to RAND’s values of quality and objectivity.
• Meet the applicable minimum education requirement: a PhD in a listed or similar field; or a master’s degree in such a field and at least 3 years of relevant professional experience; or a bachelor’s degree in such a field and at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Provide either a writing sample or a code sample demonstrating relevant expertise.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government clearance is preferred but not required.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a closely related technical field; late-stage PhD candidates with an anticipated dissertation defense date will also be considered.
• Expertise spanning multiple areas of computer science.
• Experience with formal methods, verification, or cryptography.
• Experience in systems security, hardware security, confidential computing, or secure systems design.
• Experience with machine learning systems, distributed training, inference infrastructure, accelerators, or large-scale computing systems.
• Experience developing research prototypes or experimental systems.
• Experience with security analysis, vulnerability research, adversarial evaluation, or red teaming.
• Experience translating technical research for policymakers, research funders, or senior technical decision-makers.
• Publications at leading venues such as NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, COLT, USENIX Security, IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, ACM CCS, NDSS, STOC, FOCS, SODA, CRYPTO, TCC, SOSP, OSDI, CAV, POPL, PLDI, OOPSLA, ICFP, or comparable venues.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government clearance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original technical research on challenging problems at the intersection of AI and security.
• Independently identify important research questions and develop appropriate research methods.
• Lead research projects from problem formulation through analysis, implementation, experimentation, and publication.
• Carry out work that may span fundamental research, systems building, empirical evaluation, and technical analysis.
• Communicate research results through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, research artifacts, and policy-facing products.
• Present and explain research to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior government and industry leaders.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Paid time off
• Sabbatic pay, providing additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree