Director, China Research Center, and Distinguished Chair in China Research

RAND•Washington, DC

1d•$152,700 - $262,500•Hybrid

About The Position

RAND Global and Emerging Risks (GER) brings together the world’s leading experts, scholars, strategists, and practitioners to help decisionmakers understand, anticipate, and prepare to navigate the national security and geopolitical implications of consequential challenges to civilization and global security, including the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, the biotechnology revolution, a transforming climate, and intensified strategic competition. Founded in 2024, the China Research Center seeks to equip U.S. and allied policymakers with rigorous, forward-looking analysis on how China projects economic and technological power, with growing focus on the consequences and implications of the drivers, strategies, actions, and capabilities shaping China’s approach to artificial intelligence. RAND is seeking a director of the China Research Center and Distinguished Chair in China Research. The Director reports to the Vice President and Director of GER. Approximately 50% of this position will involve duties related to the management and oversight of the research center. The remaining 50% of the time will focus on the Center’s research. This is a five-year term position, with an option to extend subject to management approval.

Requirements

Excellent analytic skills
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both orally and in writing
Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team on projects that are designed for policy impact
Strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity
Excellent track record in researching and publishing policy-relevant issues on China and providing insights and recommendations to decisionmakers through experience in government, academia, think tank, or the private sector
Strong research and analysis capabilities
Deep knowledge of the China policy environment
Excellent leadership and organizational management capabilities
Successful management of a complex research portfolio
Ability to develop a network for fundraising and research opportunities
Exceptional abilities in interpersonal relations, managing staff and client relationships, and in written and oral communications
Master’s degree in relevant field is required
Research experience of at least 8 years is required with 10+ years desired
Experience working and/or engaging regularly with senior government, military, and/or industry is required
Demonstrated experience in fundraising and program building is required
An active security clearance or the ability to be granted a secret or higher security clearance is required
Must be able to access classified material on a regular (multiple times per week) recurring basis
A writing sample is required for this position

Nice To Haves

A background in, or prior research on, issues at the intersection of China, technology, and geopolitics would be considered an asset
A PhD is preferred
A background in the social sciences, quantitative methods and operational analysis is preferred
Mandarin fluency strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Lead and guide all aspects of the center’s work in a manner consistent with RAND’s mission to improve policy and decision-making through objective research and analysis
Develop and execute the center’s strategic plan
Define and oversee the center’s research agenda and recruit resident research team and external collaborators
Develop and sustain relationships with decisionmakers in government and industry, in the United States and allied/partner governments
Pursue and develop new research and funding opportunities with foundations and donors
Ensure the quality of the center’s research products
Collaborate with GER’s Centers and Chairs, and other national security divisions, on China and AI-related research