Data Research Analyst

The Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), under the School of Foreign Service, is seeking capable data storytellers, analyzers, and visualizers to be Data Research Analysts. 

Data Research Analysts are part of CSET’s data team, working with specific lines of research to produce data-driven research products and policy analysis alongside CSET’s analysis teams. This dynamic role serves as a bridge between the data and analysis teams. It draws on knowledge of research methods, subject-area expertise, and analytic skills. We encourage those with experience in data visualization, programming, and/or statistical analysis to apply.

We are a cross-matrixed research organization focused on studying the security impacts of emerging technologies, supporting academic work in security and technology studies, and delivering nonpartisan analysis to technologists and policymakers. CSET’s research currently focuses on artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and biotechnology.  

We are particularly interested in Data Research Analysts who could support one of the following lines of research:

• Applications: How can the U.S. government and its allies make effective use of artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) and other emerging technologies? Our research in this area examines AI-enabled emerging technologies relevant to national security, opportunities and challenges for adoption and application, and opportunities for alliances in the development and deployment of AI-enabled systems.
• Assessment: AI/ML systems are failure-prone, unreliable, and opaque. This research line seeks to understand and contribute to the development and adoption of AI standards, testing procedures, best practices, regulation, auditing, and certification. It identifies areas where U.S. policy could promote the responsible, safe, and reliable deployment of AI/ML capabilities. It encompasses exploration of AI/ML accidents, harms, and vulnerabilities; AI trustworthiness, safety, standards, testing, and evaluation; AI adoption, regulation, and policy; and attempts to understand when systems work well, when they fail, and how such failures could be mitigated.

The Data Research Analyst will report to the Director of Data Science and Research, and will be responsible for: 

• Collaborating with Research Fellows, Research Analysts, Data Scientists, and Center leadership to develop and execute research proposals and produce data-driven analytic products within CSET’s Lines of Research;
• Leading the analytic support for a Line of Research by the Data Science team: managing projects, identifying priorities, fostering cross-team communication, and effectively leveraging CSET data resources;
• Supporting research through ownership of quantitative projects, including but not limited to identifying and evaluating data sources, preparing data for analysis, applying appropriate methods to draw inferences from data, and conducting reviews of code and analysis;
• Writing and otherwise contributing to CSET research;
• Developing data visualizations for use in presentations, reports, and interactive tools;
• Communicating, in written and verbal formats, CSET’s research findings to a range of audiences, including contributing to DC briefings and events;
• Monitoring developments in AI, ML, biotechnology, and national security policy;
• Contributing to CSET’s organizational development, including contributing to internal working groups, seminars, and discussions; and supporting and mentoring colleagues;
• Upholding CSET’s mission, values and culture.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Bachelor’s degree;
• 3-5 years’ relevant work experience, including 2+ years of experience with quantitative analysis (from coursework or professional work) and 1+ years of experience with with SQL, Python, and data visualization (from coursework or professional work);
• Ability to process and analyze data, interpret it, and present findings for a broad audience;
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written, demonstrated through presentations, reports, papers, or publications;
• Ability to work successfully in a highly collaborative team environment;
• Motivated, enthusiastic and self-driven. 

This position is based in the United States and offers no relocation assistance. This position is not eligible for a specialty-occupation sponsorship and, accordingly, this position requires that all applicants be legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship from Georgetown University.

Application Instructions: 

Please note that we only consider complete applications, which include:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter that addresses the following questions:
  • Why are you interested in CSET and this role, specifically?
  • What line of research (Applications or Assessment) are you best positioned to support, and why?
• Writing sample: Ideally, this would be policy-oriented research and sole-authored, but any self-selected writing sample of at least two pages (e.g., class paper, prior project work, etc.) is acceptable.
• Coding sample: This can be provided as a link to GitHub or other public example of recent code.

Work Mode:

This position has been designated as Hybrid 3 Days.