Research Associate - Quantitative Analysis

Overview

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a non-profit Federally Funded Research and Development Center. IDA provides answers to questions posed by the Department of Defense and other agencies that require careful analysis. IDA’s goal is to deliver objective, evidence-based, actionable analyses and advice focused on results.
 
This position is in IDA’s Strategy, Forces, and Resources Division (SFRD). SFRD engages in a number of critical national security challenges, including military strategy and planning, logistics and operational planning, defense organization and management, personnel readiness, nuclear strategy and programming, and chemical & biological defense.

Responsibilities

SFRD has an immediate opening for a Research Associate (RA) who will conduct data collection, perform analyses, and create visualizations focused on both U.S. and adversary operational and logistics planning. RAs are members of our fulltime professional staff and typically work as members of study teams and at the direction of senior study leaders and analysts. RAs will generally perform fact-finding tasks; develop preliminary analyses, and shape findings and recommendations for the team. RAs are expected to be familiar with standard information collection, compilation, summary and analysis methods; able to develop or apply appropriate methods to support the needs of particular studies or analyses; demonstrate strong communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills; and have the ability to contribute effectively to a team approach to problem solving.

 Duties include:

• Participate in developing and maintaining information sources and contacts as directed; may attend meetings to collect information related to projects.
• Research topics independently, compile data, and present information both orally and in writing.
• Interact with government or industry representatives.
• Contribute to the creation/writing of task report(s) or paper(s).

Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Mathematics, or similar quantitative field of study.
• Individuals with a doctoral degree will not be considered for this opportunity.
• Experience working in Python strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to identify sources, and assemble and organize large, complex data sets for which subsequent quantitative and qualitative analyses is desired.
• Ability to obtain and maintain necessary security clearance.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check is required.

Why work at IDA?

• Competitive salary and benefits, including diverse health insurance options, generous 11% contribution to retirement, 6 weeks 100% paid parental leave, 20 days paid time off, and relocation reimbursement.
• Mission-oriented work at a non-profit that supports and protects our Nation’s warfighters; as a non-profit, IDA employees are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL).
• Organization-wide commitment to diversity in the workplace and providing a working environment free from discrimination, by fostering a culture of active citizenship and implementing data-driven processes of continuous feedback and learning.
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement, internal and external trainings, and funding for researcher-pitched projects and publications.
• A strong employee and corporate culture of work-life balance, including commitment to average 40-hour work weeks through flex time, partial telework options, and expectation of communication only during core business hours.
• Located in Alexandria's high-tech corridor, IDA's brand new Potomac Yard facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, workspaces and amenities, including a cafeteria, grab-n-go cafe and gym.
• Easy access to local dining and shopping, the Potomac Yard Metro stop and the Potomac Yard DASH bus stop. Employer contributes $300/month (IRS max) to commuter benefits.

Compensation

We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation program and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $63,001 - $185,135.  Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbent’s experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors.