Editor/Senior Editor

Center for a New American Security•Washington, DC

2d•$80,000 - $165,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is launching the AI Policy Lab and is hiring an Editor/Senior Editor to help build the Lab and shape its publications, analysis, and commentary. The role works closely with researchers, designers, product engineers, and communications specialists to produce rapid-response work for national security and technology communities and the wider informed public. The substantive focus includes AI safety and security, AI-related economic competition, and the intersection of AI, defense, and geopolitics. Reporting to the Vice President of Strategy and Communications, the Editor/Senior Editor will edit long-form technical writing and short-form commentary, maintain editorial standards, and collaborate with research leads and contributors to shape publications and the Lab’s editorial agenda. The position also contributes to developing editorial standards and workflows, coordinating external editors and contractors, and producing online products with the Communications team. This is a full-time, two-year term-limited appointment based in Washington, D.C., with a mix of remote and in-person work and a regular presence at the D.C. office expected. Candidates may start as soon as available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of study.
6–8+ years of editorial experience at a magazine, journal, academic institution, think tank, publisher, online outlet, or newspaper.
Exceptional structural and narrative editing skills.
Ability and experience anticipating news and wider policy trends.
Experience mentoring and developing writing talent.
Ability to work independently or as part of a small team with a start-up ethos.
Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects at once and balance competing deadlines and shifting priorities.
Experience with, or willingness to learn, the Chicago Manual of Style.
Interest in contributing to cutting-edge research on AI and national security.
Legal right to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience editing or writing about AI, technology, or STEM.
Experience in start-up or small-team environments.
Policy background and familiarity with the policy environment.

Responsibilities

Top-edit and line-edit reports, analysis, and commentary from the AI Policy Lab, strengthening structure, clarity, argument, and policy impact.
Maintain CNAS editorial standards as defined by the direct supervisor and publications and editorial director.
Collaborate with AI Policy Lab research leads and contributors to shape approaches to research reports and analysis.
Work with research leads to set the agenda for proactive and reactive editorial approaches.
Work with an AI specialist to automate baseline copyediting functions where appropriate to improve speed and quality.
Help develop the AI Policy Lab’s editorial standards, workflows, and outputs.
Support the AI Policy Lab in managing invoices and working with external editors and contractors.
Coordinate assignments and deadlines with external contractors where appropriate.
Coordinate with the Communications team to lay out and produce online products where needed.
Review credits and sources for visual material, including photos and graphics.