PhD International/Defense Economist

RAND
Multiple Cities - United States
S: Competitive

Overview of RAND
The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND's research and analysis address issues that impact people everywhere, including security, health, education, sustainability, growth, and development. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, RAND has close to 1,800 people from approximately 50 countries working in offices in North America, Europe, and Australia, with annual revenues of more than $308 million.

RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. Our research is sponsored by government agencies, charitable trusts, and community nonprofits. In addition, we rely on philanthropic support to pursue visionary ideas; address critical problems that are under-researched; shape emerging policy debates; and devise innovative approaches for solving acute, complex, or provocative policy challenges. RAND values objectivity and integrity in both its research processes and internal interactions. We emphasize a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff.

Position Description
RAND is looking for an economist with training or experience relevant to the application of economic theory and empirics to national security research questions in international or cross-country settings. Successful applicants will have conducted empirically-grounded analysis of country macroeconomic and financial policy, trade, foreign investment issues, infrastructure investment, and budgeting. Defense policy or national security experience is preferred.

Economists at RAND work across the spectrum of policy research areas, including health, population and aging, welfare and poverty, education and training, compensation and workforce management, civil and criminal law and economics, civilian and defense R&D and contracting, national security strategy, environmental issues, and science and technology policy. RAND economists write peer-reviewed RAND publications and publish widely in academic journals.

Qualifications
All research positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both orally and in writing; the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team; and a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

In addition, senior research positions require the ability to mentor and develop junior staff members, lead and direct multi-disciplinary teams, set project standards and monitor progress, and communicate interim and final results to the RAND community and to policy-making audiences.

Education Requirements
PhD in economics or PhD in a policy or business program with an equivalent curriculum in economic theory and econometrics
Demonstrated research skills and a strong interest in empirical analyses related to public policy

Specializations of Interest
International
Economics of national security
Law and economics
Development
Experience
Applicants with at least 5-7 years of experience in an academic or non-academic research setting preferred.

Security Clearance
U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. Preference given to an existing, transferable U.S. clearance.

Location
Preference for RAND's Santa Monica, CA, Boston, MA, and Pittsburgh, PA offices, although the Arlington, VA office may also be considered.

Job summary