AI Policy Research Resident – Associate/Specialist

About the role

RAND’s Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) is seeking an AI Policy Research Resident at the Associate/Specialist level. In this fixed‑term position you will lead and contribute to high‑impact research projects that shape frontier AI policy, providing analysis and written products for senior policy audiences.

Key responsibilities

• Own significant research workstreams, including design, methods, technical policy analysis, framework development, literature reviews, and stakeholder interviews.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams within CAST and RAND to deliver high‑quality research outputs.
• Produce rapid‑response analyses on short timelines and draft policy briefs, research memos, and report content.
• Present findings to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Monitor U.S. and international AI policy, legal, and governance developments relevant to security.
• Help shape CAST’s research agenda by identifying emerging policy questions and supporting client engagement.

Required profile

• Demonstrated familiarity with AI capability trajectories, transformative effects, and catastrophic risks.
• Strong understanding of policy and governance approaches that promote beneficial AI and mitigate risks.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize evidence and produce concise, well‑argued products for decision‑makers.
• Policy pragmatism – ability to balance safety, innovation, competitiveness, and feasibility.
• Mission‑driven, adaptable, and able to deliver quality work in fast‑moving, ambiguous environments with limited supervision.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge AI policy research at a leading think‑tank.
• Collaboration with top experts in AI, security, and technology.
• Professional development in policy analysis and strategic research.