Research Scientist

CNA•Arlington, VA

11d

About The Position

The Research Scientist will conduct analysis on structured and unstructured problems, developing and applying creative and innovative analytic solutions. This role involves developing deep institutional knowledge of clients and sponsors, supporting training and mentoring of new staff, and contributing to business development efforts. The scientist will interact regularly with clients, influence decisions with implementable recommendations, and represent CNA effectively. Strong communication, planning, and organizational skills are essential, as is the ability to manage projects effectively and contribute to corporate initiatives.

Requirements

Minimum Master’s degree in International relations, political science, history, or related discipline, PhD preferred.
Typical minimum requirements 5+ years of experience in research and analysis.
Time spent in US Government is a plus.
Knowledge of research design and research methods highly desired.
Ability to work on progressively more difficult projects/analyses, including directing portions of large research projects or small to medium projects under general supervision.
Ability to operate independently and proactively in the execution of assignments.
Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Strong critical thinking skills.
Strong planning and organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Strong and effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to interact directly and effectively with clients and influence their decisions.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

Routinely produces analysis on structured and unstructured problems that meets CNA’s quality standards with limited direction and general supervision.
Develops and applies creative and innovative analytic solutions to complex problems with assistance/support from more senior staff.
Synthesizes analytic results into a broader context.
Leads complex analytic projects with supervision.
Makes connections and synthesizes ideas across multiple, related studies.
Develops and maintains deep, specific institutional knowledge and expertise of primary clients/sponsors; their culture, organization, and issues.
Uses that knowledge to support training & mentoring of new staff, to support on-going work, and to support development and shaping of new work for existing clients/ sponsors.
Balances responsiveness to guidance with independent action.
Contributes productively and harmoniously to the work of others; treats everyone respectfully, professionally and fairly.
Independently identifies opportunities for collaboration within team, division, and operating unit.
Supports supervisor's initiatives and helps make vision a reality.
Recognizes and acknowledges contributions from subordinates.
Supports business development efforts and/or marketing activities by interacting with CNA managers and current clients/sponsors on securing follow on work (e.g., small grants, or above core projects), expanding or developing new ideas for future projects, and occasionally working with potential clients/sponsors on developing new project ideas.
Occasionally serves as internal reviewer of technical proposals.
Interacts regularly and independently with clients/sponsors and related parties.
Effectively represents CNA as an organization.
Influences decisions by sponsors/ clients; provide sponsors/clients with implementable recommendations.
Occasionally supports efforts to enhance CNA's reputation via publishing and outreach activities.
Demonstrates strong and effective communications skills, to include ability to summarize and synthesize larger pieces of work into effective executive summaries/executive briefings.
Effectively presents work to more senior and larger audiences.
Effectively communicates with & engages colleagues at all levels of the organization.
Works under limited direction and general supervision from division management.
Leads projects of low to medium size and/or complexity, as well as significant tasks on large or more complex projects.
Effectively manages all aspects of assigned projects, to include delivery of high-quality analytic products on-time, and on-budget.
Plays a supporting role in the mentoring and training of new staff individually or as a member of a project team.
Regularly demonstrates initiative in pursuing improvements in the quality of our projects and analytic products.
Participates in corporate initiatives when asked to do so, and makes contributions to initiatives focused on making CNA a better place to work.
Performs other duties as assigned.