We are currently seeking candidates to lead our Compete Line of Research (LOR), either as a Research Fellow or Senior Fellow (depending on experience). 

About the LOR:

The Compete LOR explores the significance of technological innovation and competitiveness in the U.S. and their impacts on national power. Its research addresses how investments and incentives can fortify the innovation ecosystem and assesses measures like export controls and sanctions to safeguard intellectual property and cutting-edge technologies. Additionally, it studies trade rules and antitrust methods to ensure a balanced and dynamic competitive landscape. Potential future avenues for research in this LOR include but are not limited to research on the supply chains for national security-relevant technologies such as cutting-edge semiconductors to understand how the U.S. can maintain secure access to these technologies and identify policy options for the U.S. and its allies to preserve a generational lead over peer competitors. 

Learn more about the Compete LOR and recent publications here.

About the Role:

You will lead and coordinate our efforts on the Compete LOR, including shaping priorities, laying out an overall research strategy, overseeing the execution of the research and production of reports, and helping to hire and manage supporting researchers, including (Sr.) Research Analysts and Student Research Assistants. CSET Fellows directly impact national security and tech policy discussions. Policymakers, government agencies, and congressional committees seek their expertise and analyses. Additionally, CSET Fellows frequently interact with international organizations, act as a connector between industry and government, and serve as subject matter experts for the media. 

Responsibilities:

The candidate should be comfortable working with data of various forms and sources, quantitative analysis, qualitative methods like in-depth or structured interviews, and other approaches and methodologies that enable policy-relevant research. CSET Fellows are expected to design and lead research projects, brief policymakers, participate in public events, and manage and mentor junior researchers. They must work collaboratively with other LOR’s with common interests and relevant expertise. They are also expected to work closely with CSET’s data team to conduct empirical analyses. 

In addition, the Compete Fellow will report to CSET’s Director of Analysis and be responsible for the following: 

• Developing an overarching research plan for the Compete LOR and leading research projects related to the Center’s mission and Compete LOR, both individually and in collaboration with other Research/Senior Fellows, (Senior) Research Analysts, Data Scientists, and Center leadership.
• Designing research plans for data-focused analytic projects in coordination with members of CSET’s Data Science Team by identifying data needs and data team resourcing

• Producing written publications, both individually and as a co-author
• Supervising, mentoring, and coaching other researchers, including Research Fellows, (Senior) Research Analysts, Data Research Analysts, and Student Research Assistants.
• Overseeing, reviewing, and editing all Compete LOR products to ensure methodological rigor, tone, and consistency with other existing products.
• Collaborating with CSET’s Data Science Team in building out CSET’s data and documentation libraries, especially with regard to data sets relevant to the Compete LOR.
• Developing and delivering presentations and briefs for policy-making audiences on topics related to U.S. national competitiveness in emerging technologies. 
• Motivating, coaching, and challenging team members to provide quality projects and advance their professional development.
• Preparing and presenting performance (project and/or people) updates to leadership.
• Monitoring trends and developments in CSET areas of interest and national security policy.
• Contributing to CSET’s organizational development, including contributing to internal working groups, seminars, and discussions; and supporting and mentoring colleagues
• Upholding CSET’s mission, values, and culture.

Strong Candidates: 

The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of technological innovation and its role in U.S. national power, with subject matter expertise in at least one of the following areas: economic security, trade and investment controls (i.e. export controls, sanctions, investment screening), trade regulation, or antitrust laws. Additionally, they should be well-versed in identifying and helping leverage U.S. strategic advantages, such as our global network of allies, higher education institutions, and robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, focusing on promoting democratic values in future tech endeavors. They are able to communicate policy recommendations along with supporting research, evidence and caveats in a manner accessible to non-expert policy audiences. They are also able to mentor members of the team in their communications. While technical knowledge of advanced technologies such as AI and semiconductors is not required, the ideal candidate would have some basic understanding of one or more such technologies.

Requirements for All Candidates: 

• Graduate (Master’s, JD, PhD) degree in a relevant field
• Ability to conduct research, write, and manage others with limited need for supervision
• Familiarity with interpreting and visualizing data
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Curiosity and enthusiasm 
• Collaborative attitude; demonstrated ability to lead teams
• Project or team management experience
• Proficiency with office productivity tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Office
• Comfort working in a collaborative matrixed/multi-disciplinary environment
• Motivated, enthusiastic, intellectually curious and self-driven 
• Alignment with CSET’s mission, values and culture
• Ability to work in the United States without employer sponsorship

Requirements for Research Fellow: 

• At least 3 years of experience in research and policy analysis, including familiarity with interpreting and visualizing data if applying with a PhD/JD
• OR
• At least 5 years of professional experience if applying with a Masters’ Degree.

Requirements for Senior Fellow: 

• At least 5 years of public service in senior roles OR 10 years of experience in progressive roles in the private sector.  
• Experience in policy making, research and development leadership, corporate leadership roles, or analysis experience are desirable 
• Comfort working in a matrixed/multi-disciplinary environment
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency in mentoring, professional development, and the creation of an inclusive environment within which employees can develop and grow effectively
• Motivated, enthusiastic and self-driven
• Significant experience coaching and mentoring junior analysts/researchers in analytic and research tradecraft

In general, Research Fellows can expect to earn between 100k-130k/year and Senior Fellows can expect to earn between $160-190k/year, commensurate with experience. 

This position is based in the United States and offers no relocation assistance. This position is not eligible for a specialty-occupation sponsorship and, accordingly, this position requires that all applicants be legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship from Georgetown University.

Application Instructions:

PLEASE NOTE: A complete application must include the following:

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter that addresses the following questions:
   1. Why are you applying to this position, and at what level? (Research or Senior Fellow)
   2. What is an issue at the intersection of technology and national security that you believe will be important during the next decade? What topics or issues are you most passionate about?
   3. How would you go about designing a research plan for your first 6 months in this position? 
3. Writing Samples: Please provide two writing samples. Ideally these samples would be policy-oriented research and sole-authored, but any self-selected writing sample of at least two pages (e.g., class paper, prior project work, etc.) is acceptable.

APPLY HERE by Monday, November 27, 2023.

CSET’s Commitment to Fellows:

As part of CSET’s mission to develop the next generation of decision-makers, Fellows will have opportunities to lead significant research projects, manage teams, brief government officials; interact with the media; collaborate with internal and external research partners; engage with policymakers and other stakeholders in government and the private sector; and contribute meaningfully to CSET’s research agenda and development as an organization. Fellows gain exposure to government and other public service career options; and develop people management competencies. CSET is dedicated to providing full support to our staff through tailored professional development opportunities, flexible work arrangements and career coaching.

Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation), disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.