Research Fellow (Autonomous Systems)

National Defense University•Fort McNair, DC

About The Position

The Research Fellow for Unmanned and Autonomous Systems is part of the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) Defense Industrial Base Program at the National Defense University. INSS provides applied research, analysis, and wargaming to inform the Department of War, including the Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of War, Combatant Commands, and military services. The fellow conducts independent or collaborative research related to unmanned and autonomous systems and their implications for the defense industrial base, force design, defense planning, and joint warfighting. Fellows publish original research, present findings to senior officials, teach and contribute to Joint Professional Military Education, support university-wide scholarship, and complete administrative requirements. This is a Title 10 Excepted Service appointment for up to two years, with the possibility of extension.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be able and willing to travel domestically and internationally; travel is seldom required and less than 20% of the time.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.
Doctorate or all-but-dissertation status (ABD) from a regionally accredited university or international equivalent in an appropriate discipline, including public policy, international relations/affairs, political science, engineering, military history, data science, national security studies, computer science, or operations research; or a doctorate/ABD in a relevant interdisciplinary field; alternatively, a master's degree in a listed field plus at least five years of professional experience in an industry, policy, government, or defense-affiliated research position focused on unmanned and autonomous systems.
Record of high-quality peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and/or policy reports related to unmanned and autonomous systems, including work drawing implications for the U.S. defense industrial base, force design, defense planning, and/or joint warfighting.
Demonstrated knowledge of research methodologies and ability to identify, acquire, and analyze primary and secondary sources concerning defense strategy and policy.
Experience presenting research findings and their implications for U.S. national security to Department of War senior leaders, other federal government audiences, and industry executives.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
Must use direct deposit as a federal employee.
Must meet applicable education credential and foreign-education equivalency documentation requirements before appointment, if selected.
May be required to serve an 18-month trial period.

Nice To Haves

Research experience on autonomous systems directly for or in support of the Department of War, particularly at policy think tanks, Department of War or industry-affiliated research labs, or federally funded research and development centers.
Experience working in, with, or coordinating with industry in key Department of War program areas involving unmanned and autonomous systems or related technologies.
Experience teaching graduate-level courses in international affairs, national security policy, or joint warfighting.
Experience researching or analyzing the implications of unmanned and autonomous systems for force design, defense planning, and/or joint warfighting.
Experience executing complex multidisciplinary research studies and/or leading multidisciplinary research teams.
Experience researching or analyzing Defense Industrial Base dynamics related to unmanned and autonomous systems, including production capacity, supply chains, and rapid acquisition.
Current Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance.
Research that has had an impact on U.S. defense strategy and policy; preference will be given to candidates demonstrating such impact.

Responsibilities

Conduct applied research independently or collaboratively in support of the warfighter, focused on unmanned and autonomous systems.
Publish at least two original, high-quality, peer-reviewed journal articles or policy reports annually; other research may be published as books, journal articles, or policy papers.
Promote research through symposia, blog posts, and opinion pieces.
Coordinate research topics with Department of War senior officials and present findings to them.
Disseminate research through interim and final briefings, trip reports, and policy memoranda.
Engage with other U.S. government stakeholders, military allies and partners, think tanks, academic institutions, businesses, and the national security community, as appropriate; participate in conferences, workshops, or wargames.
Contribute to Joint Professional Military Education by teaching courses, guest lecturing, developing curriculum, supporting student, faculty, or staff development, and/or mentoring or advising students.
Support university-wide scholarship through activities such as serving on hiring or promotion boards, participating in the Institutional Review Board, maintaining a university-wide community of interest, supporting leader engagements, and convening roundtables, tabletop exercises, or conferences and publishing conference reports.
Complete administrative tasks in a timely manner, including monthly reports, travel and clearance paperwork, travel vouchers, conflict-of-interest paperwork, and required training.
Travel domestically and internationally as required; travel is expected to be less than 20% of the time.