Research Associate for the William B. Ruger Chair of National Security Economics

The President, U.S. Naval War College, invites applications for a Research Associate for the William B. Ruger Chair of National Security Economics in the Strategic and Operational Research Department (SORD) at the Center for Naval Warfare Studies (CNWS) in Newport, RI. This is a two-year professional research position.

The U.S. Naval War College is a Professional Military Education (PME) institution serving the nation, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Navy. U.S. and selected international graduates earn Master of Arts degrees in National Security & Strategic Studies or Defense & Strategic Studies accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The College educates and develops future leaders through the development of strategic perspective, critical thinking, and cultural awareness, as well as enhancing the capability to advise senior leaders and policy makers. The College also helps to define the future Navy and its roles and missions; supports combat readiness; strengthens global maritime partnerships; and promotes ethics and leadership throughout the force. We are actively seeking candidates with diverse academic, demographic and professional backgrounds. More information on the college can be found at www.usnwc.edu.

William B. Ruger Chair of National Security Economics. The premise of the Ruger Chair is that national security and economic prosperity are inextricably linked. To secure its existence in the international system, a state must make strategic choices in both peace and war. To implement a strategy, the state must have access to adequate economic resources. Ultimately, it is impossible to separate economic power and political power. Whatever enhances the commercial, financial, and industrial power of a state increases the military potential of that state. Thus, there is a compelling and reciprocal relationship between economic prosperity and military power. But the reverse is also true. Economic well-being and prosperity do not occur in a vacuum. As Thomas Hobbes observed, there is no production without security. Insofar as military forces provide security, they underwrite prosperity.

Strategic and Operational Research Department. The SORD produces innovative research and analysis for the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. interagency, and the broader national security community. It also generates new scholarship in security studies and actively participates in the broader academic community. The SORD is one of three in the CNWS at the Naval War College, the others being the War Gaming Department and the Stockton Center for International Law. The SORD department is home to a number of specialized centers, institutes, and advanced research groups that foster deeper levels of research, analysis, and teaching on subjects of critical interest for the Navy: the China Maritime Studies Institute, the Cyber and Innovation Policy Institute, the Russia Maritime Studies Institute, and the Halsey, Mahan, and Brodie groups. The SORD’s faculty employ varied and multi-disciplinary approaches to national security issues, generating new knowledge for the Navy and the Department of Defense. The department’s faculty are educated in a range of social sciences, humanities, sciences, and critical languages, and the faculty consists of civilians and retired and active-duty military officers.

Responsibilities. The Research Associate will support William B. Ruger Chair of National Security Economics research and analysis. Duties include, but are not limited to, online research, library research, data collection and analysis, and editing. Under the guidance of the Ruger Chair and supervision of the SORD Chair, the research associate will provide graduate level research support to the faculty members and affiliates of SORD.

Qualifications and Competencies. Qualified candidates must have an advanced degree from an accredited university. A master’s degree in political science, international relations, or national security or a related field is required. A preferred candidate will have experience national security issues and economics. Specific experience in U.S. and global defense industrial sectors, military innovation, of grand strategy and economic statecraft and the political economy of security is highly preferred.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens and capable of obtaining a Department of Defense SECRET security clearance.

Salary Considerations. Salary is $64,085 from the Navy Faculty Pay Schedule and accompanied by a generous federal benefit package that includes health insurance and retirement saving plans, paid vacation and sick leave, and other benefits.

Applications. Applicants must reference VA#NWC-22-05 and submit their application package to: nwc-22-05@usnwc.edu. The application package must include: (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) names and contact information for three references. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 pm (EST), 31 January 2022.

Questions should be directed via email to Professor Peter Dombrowski, at dombrowp@usnwc.edu.

Per E.O. 14043, selectee(s) must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by date of employment except in limited circumstances where an exception is approved due to a disability or sincerely held religious beliefs.

NOTICE OF VETERANS PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans’ preference to the excepted service; however, the Department of Defense considers veterans’ preference eligibility a positive factor for hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans’ preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD Form 214, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”) to their submissions. Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim 10-Point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, “Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference,” and supporting documents required for specific type of preference claimed. (SF 15, which lists the types of 10-Point Preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at www.opm.gov.)

Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement dated to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.

The Naval War College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.