RAND Corporation Graduate Student Summer Associate Program (Research Internship)

RAND is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization focused on improving policy and decision making through high-quality research and objective analysis. Our research is enriched through diverse, multidisciplinary teams that draw on a range of experiences and perspectives. We are committed to striving for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Research and analysis is enriched by diversity of talents, experiences, and perspectives. We encourage students from different racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, abilities, ages, gender, gender identity/expression, and other underrepresented groups to apply.

Position Description

RAND’s Summer Associate Program introduces outstanding graduate students conducting national security-related work in political science; history; public policy; public administration; international relations; or area studies to the RAND Corporation, an institution that conducts research on a wide range of domestic and international social policy issues as well as national security problems.

RAND advises a variety of defense clients on policy-level decisions relating to defense programs, military systems, future force structure and doctrine, homeland security, and national military strategy. Working with multi­disciplinary teams, national security researchers apply quantitative and qualitative skills to analyze policy problems of national and international importance, and communicate the results of these analyses to decision makers.

Please note: Our summer 2023 program will be a hybrid model including in person work at one of RAND’s offices with remote flexibility or working fully remote from where you live. In person positions are typically available in RAND’s major U.S. offices—Santa Monica, CA; Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; and Boston, MA. Office placement decisions depend on the availability of in-person mentorship. For the 2023 Summer Program, students must reside in the U.S. throughout their RAND summer assignment. International students who are planning to live in the U.S. during the summer of 2023 are eligible to apply. Any applicant who does not plan to live in the United States during the summer is not eligible for hire in the 2023 cycle.

Summer Associates experience the following at RAND:

• Typically work at RAND for a 12-week period during the summer;
• Receive a bi-weekly paycheck during their assignment with RAND;
• Conduct research that can be completed during their time at RAND and present the results of this research to the RAND community via a 15-30 minute briefing at the end of their three-month assignment;
• Are closely mentored by one to two established RAND researchers;
• Are highly encouraged to network and interact with other researchers outside of their primary mentorship team and area of expertise;
• Are invited to attend a number of seminars from researchers both within and outside of RAND.

Eligibility

The position is designed for full-time doctoral students in political science, history, public policy, public administration, international relations or area studies or other related fields who: (1) have completed at least two years of graduate work leading to a doctorate or professional degree (e.g., law or medical degree); and (2) are within two years of completion of this doctorate or degree. Students must be enrolled full-time in a graduate degree program during the spring and fall of 2023 to be considered for the program. Students graduating prior to September 2023 are encouraged to look at our full-time positions at www.rand.org/jobs.html.

A keen interest in working on applied, policy-oriented research questions is necessary. Applicants are strongly encouraged to explore RAND’s website (www.rand.org) for details on RAND’s ongoing research portfolio. Unfortunately, we do not know in advance which projects may require summer associates.

In connection with national security or defense projects, many positions require that applicants be eligible to receive, or currently hold, a security clearance from the United States government.

Additional qualifications required:

• Excellent analytic skills;
• Proven ability in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods;
  Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team;
  Strong commitment to RAND’s core values of quality and objectivity;
• Proof of legal right to work in the United States is required upon hire;
• U.S. Citizenship is not necessary except when required for certain types of project work (e.g., the project contract requires it or the project work itself requires a security clearance)
• Residency in the U.S. (excluding U.S. territories) is required

To apply

RAND accepts applications only through our website, https://www.rand.org/jobs/summer-associates.html. Applications mailed directly to RAND or emailed to our Summer Director will not be considered. All applications are due by December 1, 2022, 11:59pm Pacific Time.

If you have additional questions about the Graduate Student Summer Associate Program, please contact Summer_Director@rand.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet