Research Analyst - Science Policy

Position description

The Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI), an IDA-operated Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), provides independent, objective analysis of science and technology policy issues for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and other federal science agencies. Research staff at STPI apply rigorous, method-driven inquiry to questions at the intersection of science, technology, and public policy and help the nation's most senior S&T decision-makers understand emerging developments, evaluate federal R&D investments, and anticipate the long-term implications of policy choices.

 

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent, method-driven research and analysis on assigned S&T policy questions, applying analytical and empirical research approach 
• Prepare written reports, briefs, and other deliverables for OSTP and other federal sponsors
• Respond to formal sponsor tasking, including requests for information, congressionally mandated studies, and support to federal advisory bodies and interagency initiatives
• May serve as project leader, directing planning, scope, budget, and staffing for one or more tasks, including staff drawn from across IDA's research centers
• Track developments and trends in an assigned S&T policy domain on an ongoing basis, surfacing emerging issues for sponsors and STPI leadership
• Build and sustain sponsor relationships that support IDA's credibility as an independent, trusted adviser and surface future collaboration opportunities
• Present findings orally to sponsors, advisory committees, and other select audiences
• Contribute technical depth to projects outside one's core discipline, reflecting STPI's cross-disciplinary portfolio spanning energy, resilience, life sciences, information technology, AI, innovation policy, and related fields
• May mentor or guide early-career researchers and fellows
• Other duties as assigned
   

Qualifications

• BS + 8 years of relevant experience, MS + 6 years of relevant experience, or a Ph.D. in a discipline appropriate to the position such as economics, public policy, engineering, physical or life sciences, information technology, international affairs, or a related technical or social science field
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent, rigorous research applying a defined methodology on questions at the intersection of science, technology, and public policy
• Proven ability to publish findings and present them orally to sponsors and other technical or policy-focused audiences
• Demonstrated innovative thinking and problem-solving ability, including the capacity to translate complex technical material into terms useful to non-technical policymakers
• Ability to work effectively in an unstructured environment and manage multiple concurrent projects
• Comfort engaging with senior government officials and industry representatives, including navigating sponsor relationships within the Executive Office of the President and other federal agencies
• Demonstrated adaptability to meaningfully contribute across S&T policy domains outside one's core expertise
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across research teams, including staff drawn from other IDA-operated research centers
• U.S. citizenship required
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance required

Application instructions

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