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. These varied backgrounds reinforce RAND's core values of quality and objectivity by promoting creativity, deepening understanding of the practical effects of policy, and ensuring that multiple viewpoints and perspectives inform our research. We welcome all applicants, including those who identify as part of historically marginalized groups.
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 other related fields to RAND, 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.
Summer Associates experience the following at RAND:
Typically work at RAND for a 12-week period (60 work days) 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.
Please note:Our summer 2026 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. Office placement decisions depend on the availability of in-person mentorship.
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 2026 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 2026 cycle.
Qualifications
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.
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;
Residency in the U.S. (excluding U.S. territories) is required
Who is not eligible?
The program does not hire high school students, undergraduates, or postdoctoral fellows at this time. Graduate students who will graduate prior to the summer of employment are not eligible. The program typically does not consider master's degree students except in the Engineering, Computer or Information Science, and Operations Research disciplines.
Specializations of Interest
Military Systems and Organization
Future Force Structure and Doctrine
National Military Strategy
Military Operation and Tactics
Security Clearance
Pay Rate
$32.00/hour
RAND Summer Associate positions receive bi-weekly compensation for hours that are worked. The positions are also overtime eligible.
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