Research Computer Scientist - IDA Center for Computing Sciences

Institute for Defense Analyses • Bowie, MD

175d • $112,924 - $263,335

About The Position

The Institute for Defense Analyses Center for Computing Sciences (IDA/CCS) is looking for outstanding researchers to address difficult computing problems vital to the nation's security. IDA/CCS is an independent, applied research center sponsored by the National Security Agency (NSA). Emphasis areas for IDA/CCS technical staff include high-performance computing, computer vulnerability research, cryptography, signal processing, and advanced techniques for analyzing extremely complex data sets. Stable funding provides for a vibrant research environment, and an atmosphere of intellectual inquiry free of administrative burdens. IDA/CCS and its siblings, the Centers for Communications Research, constitute a non-profit Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) that operates in the public interest, free from organizational conflicts of interest, and can therefore assist the Department of Defense in ways that industry and for-profit contractors cannot.

Requirements

• At minimum, requires BS+8 years of experience or MS+6 years of experience or Ph.D. in a discipline appropriate for the position.
• Demonstrated ability to perform independent research.
• Proven ability to publish findings and present findings orally.
• Able to present ideas, concepts, and theories orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated innovative thinking and problem resolution.
• Able to work in an unstructured environment and/or on more than one project concurrently.
• Able to interact with government or industry representatives.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required.

Nice To Haves

• A PhD is helpful but not required.
• Strong records of solving problems in computer science.
• Demonstrated depth in a particular field as well as a broad understanding of computational issues and technology.

Responsibilities

• Develops and uses acquired technical knowledge and experience to identify, articulate and advocate for promising approaches to difficult problems.
• Stay current on developments in mathematics and science with potential relevance to sponsor problems and maintain strong connections to the academic research community.
• Pursues and achieves solutions to problems individually and in groups, through mathematics, algorithm and code development, data generation and analysis, etc.
• Works with other researchers and the sponsor to effectively prioritize effort across multiple difficult problems.
• Documents ideas and incremental progress, sharing them within the research community so as to maximize the probability of success.
• Maintains close communication with the sponsoring organization as necessary to ensure that evolutions in research direction remain relevant, promising, data-driven, and non-duplicative.
• Develops and sustains working relationships with the sponsor to ensure that opportunities for collaboration are surfaced.
• Individually, or in a team, prepares formal papers as appropriate, documenting methods, conclusions, and findings.
• May present findings of the final report to task sponsor and/or to select audiences.
• Contributes to the overall technical health of the organization, e.g. by leading SCAMPs, workshops, or sustained efforts; writing expository papers; serving as a liaison to academic departments; recruiting and interviewing potential researchers; arranging for external speakers; and giving out briefs on conferences attended.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous retirement plan contribution of 11% of base salary after six months of service.
• Flexible work environment promoting work-life balance.
• Employee Assistance Plan.
• Paid parental leave.
• 11 paid holidays and generous paid time off.
• Tuition reimbursement and other learning opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees