Research Analyst

CNA•Arlington, VA

15h•$120,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

DESCRIPTION AND/OR DUTIES1. With minimal or no guidance, meets CNA’s quality standards when working on well-structured pieces of a project. Demonstrates ability to develop sound analytic frameworks and associated analytic methodologies/ techniques for addressing both structured and unstructured problems. With direction and supervision, clearly defines, structures, and executes a piece of a complex study to meet quality standards. Demonstrates analytic creativity and curiosity. 2. Develops and maintains broad, general institutional knowledge of primary clients/sponsors; their culture, organization, and issues. 3. Contributes productively and harmoniously to the work of others; treats everyone respectfully, professionally and fairly. Keeps others informed. Proactively identifies and seeks out others working on similar topics. Works to identify opportunities for collaborations within team, division, and operating unit. 4. Supports business development efforts and/or marketing activities by maintaining strong client relationships through high quality work, increasing the visibility of our work, and other related activities such as proposal preparation. 5. Interacts with sponsors/clients under the supervision of an experienced colleague, and with study POCs independently. 6. Makes significant contributions to research publications and analytic products for individual projects. 7. Demonstrates ability to communicate results of work in a clear and concise fashion. Effectively communicates one-on-one and in groups. Can document work efficiently and accurately. Can effectively present work to colleagues, sponsors, and small audiences that are familiar with content. 8. Works with minimal or no guidance on focused, well-structured pieces of projects. Works under closer supervision on more complex, less-structured tasks. Can serve as task lead for pieces of projects by managing own activities. May lead small projects under the supervision of an RPD/MD. 9. Exhibits a positive attitude in interactions with colleagues and clients/sponsors. Provides clear guidance to colleagues on tasks. Takes responsibility for own actions and outcomes. 10. Performs other duties as assigned.JOB REQUIREMENTS1. Education: Minimum Master’s degree in the Engineering or Physical Sciences field, PhD preferred. 2. Experience: Typical minimum requirements Ph.D. & 0+ years or Master’s & 2+ years of experience in research and analysis. 3. Skills: Experience using programming tools for analyzing large datasets, performing numerical computations, and creating visualizations is preferred. Relevant tools include Python, R, and MATLAB.Ability to make significant contributions to projects/analyses Strong analytic curiosity/ creativity Ability to operate independently in the execution of assignments Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment Strong critical thinking skills Knowledge of research techniques Strong planning and organizational skills Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills Ability to interact positively and somewhat independently with clients. 4. Working environment: The ATA Division conducts mostly classified work that must be done at CNA’s facility in Arlington, VA. However, in those situations where analysts are working on unclassified parts of a classified study or on a study that is not classified, we offer a hybrid working environment that allows analysts to work off-site (typically from home). Some amount of travel is expected to meet with clients and sponsors outside of the greater Washington, DC area. 5. Other: Ability to obtain and maintain an Active Secret Security Clearance. TS/SCI Clearance eligibility is preferrable.

Requirements

Minimum Master’s degree in the Engineering or Physical Sciences field, PhD preferred.
Ph.D. & 0+ years or Master’s & 2+ years of experience in research and analysis.
Experience using programming tools for analyzing large datasets, performing numerical computations, and creating visualizations is preferred. Relevant tools include Python, R, and MATLAB.
Ability to make significant contributions to projects/analyses
Strong analytic curiosity/ creativity
Ability to operate independently in the execution of assignments
Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment
Strong critical thinking skills
Knowledge of research techniques
Strong planning and organizational skills
Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
Ability to interact positively and somewhat independently with clients.
Ability to obtain and maintain an Active Secret Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

TS/SCI Clearance eligibility is preferrable.

Responsibilities

Meets CNA’s quality standards when working on well-structured pieces of a project.
Develops sound analytic frameworks and associated analytic methodologies/ techniques for addressing both structured and unstructured problems.
Clearly defines, structures, and executes a piece of a complex study to meet quality standards.
Develops and maintains broad, general institutional knowledge of primary clients/sponsors; their culture, organization, and issues.
Contributes productively and harmoniously to the work of others
Supports business development efforts and/or marketing activities
Interacts with sponsors/clients
Makes significant contributions to research publications and analytic products for individual projects.
Demonstrates ability to communicate results of work in a clear and concise fashion.
Works with minimal or no guidance on focused, well-structured pieces of projects.
Exhibits a positive attitude in interactions with colleagues and clients/sponsors.
Performs other duties as assigned.