AI Security Resident

Term (Fixed Term) Overview RAND’s Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) , part of the Global and Emerging Risks (GER) Division conducts cutting-edge research on transformative, high-impact technologies—including artificial intelligence and biotechnology—to shape policies that protect global security and advance the public good. Your work will address key questions related to securing AI systems, understanding their cyber capabilities, and examining their policy implications.

For example, you might lead projects to develop AI-specific threat models, build software tools for AI cyber capability evaluations, or identify critical areas for new security R&D. Your work will inform analysis delivered to senior government and industry leaders.

A recent example of one of our research products is the Securing AI Model Weights report, which explored protecting frontier AI models from theft and misuse.

About RAND

• This position is structured as a three-year appointment with options to renew and explore opportunities for longer-term employment at RAND thereafter.
• RAND's reputation for excellence is built on our commitment to high-quality, rigorous analysis and objectivity.

Responsibilities

• You will be responsible for leading complex projects that span technical research, policy analysis, and infrastructure development.
• You will communicate the results of your work to both technical and non-technical audiences through quick-turnaround policy briefs and detailed written research products.
• As a Visiting AI Security Resident, you'll maintain that excellence while engaging with some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Requirements

• All research positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills; the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team; and a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.
• Technical experience in security engineering, software engineering, firmware engineering, hardware engineering, or related fields
• Technical management experience, including leading cross-functional teams, managing project budgets, and mentoring and developing team members
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead complex projects to completion
• Proficiency in Python, Java, C/C++, or other popular programming languages Ability to develop rigorous and comprehensive threat models and identify potential system vulnerabilities
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, tailored to technical and non-technical audiences Ability to reason about policy options given different technical considerations Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment

Fluency with MS Office suite

• Requirements RAND is hiring multiple Visiting AI Security Residents at associate, specialist, and expert levels of experience.
• Minimum education requirements at the associate level include: A PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity, Information Security, Information Technology, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Engineering and Public Policy, Technology and Policy, National Security Policy, Policy Analysis, Political Science, International Relations, or similar is required.
• OR A Master’s degree in the fields listed above with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience, is required.
• OR A Bachelor’s degree in the fields listed above with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, is required.
• Master’s or PhD preferred.
• Clearance Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government clearance is preferred but not required.
• Writing or Code Sample Either a writing sample or a code sample is required for this position.

Preferred

• Graduate of the Computer Network Operations Development Program (CNODP), Remote Interactive Operator Training (RIOT), Future Operator Readiness Growth and Enrichment (FORGE), or equivalent experience
• Experience with red team operations or offensive cyber capabilities development
• Understanding of advanced persistent threat (APT) tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and experience with defending against them Ability to think creatively about offensive and/or defensive techniques and strategies, beyond compliance with existing regulations
• Familiarity with U.S. cybersecurity agencies, authorities, and policy development processes
• Experience working in or with government on cybersecurity policy

Experience with advising non-technical stakeholders on security topics

• Familiarity with the AI/ML hardware stack (e.g., GPUs, TPUs, data center design)
• Familiarity with the AI/ML software stack (e.g., CUDA, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Ray) Experience working on AI research, ML model training, or model deployment
• Experience with securing AI systems

Pay

$121,700- $268,500 Technical Associate = $121,700 - $176,500 Technical Specialist = $150,100 - $217,600 Technical Expert = $171,800 - $ 268,500 RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity.

Successful candidates will be offered employment in a specific title, as determined by the candidate’s education and experience.

The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken).

Benefits

• In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Location

We are hiring for this position in San Francisco, CA, Washington, DC; Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; and Boston, MA. We offer a hybrid work arrangement, combining work from home and on-site options. Fully remote work within the US, along with US visa support, will also be considered.

This sample can use a recent, previously written paper or technical report (e.g., journal article, master’s thesis or paper written for coursework, research project, technical analysis, briefings), or source code showing technical expertise in relevant domains. Term This position is a three-year term appointment with a possibility of renewal, alongside options for longer term employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer