Senior Researcher, AI Strategy and Adoption (Part-Time, Term)

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. RAND is widely respected for operating independently of political and commercial pressures as a nonpartisan organization. RAND values objectivity and integrity in both its research processes and internal interactions and emphasizes a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff.

RAND is seeking a Senior Researcher to lead its effort to integrate AI into RAND's research and into the business processes that support it. This is a one-year term position, renewable. The role helps set the direction for AI adoption across RAND: understanding where RAND is today, learning from peer organizations, defining what RAND needs to be good at in an AI world, and working with researchers and leadership to make adoption real at scale.

The position is well suited to someone who has used AI directly in research and business work, has helped other organizations build AI into their core functions, and can move a large, expert community toward practical use.

• →External learning: Draw lessons from peer organizations, including FFRDCs, UARCs, and consulting firms, on what distinguishes successful adoption from failed attempts, and translate them to RAND's context.
• →Strategic direction: Recommend a framework for how AI fits across RAND's diverse portfolio.
• →Adoption at scale: Design and test approaches with researchers on real projects, including quick wins that build momentum, and define what AI tools need to look like to be used well inside RAND's culture and research practice.
• →Tools and resources: Advise on the tool landscape (what to keep, build, buy, or stop), how separate tool efforts should work together, and how to allocate resources, with attention to security, compliance, and budget constraints.
• →Governance and measurement: Propose how decisions about AI deployment should be made and define evidence-based measures of whether adoption is working.

All research positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills; the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, 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.

The preferred candidate will have a PhD and 8+ years of experience, or a Master's degree with thesis and 13+ years of experience, in computer science or engineering, information science, cyber engineering, or related field (such as mathematics, operations research, physical sciences, or closely related discipline). Professional experience should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to design, execute and disseminate results of research using analytically rigorous methods.

Required:

• Experience integrating AI to transform research and business processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a cross-organizational effort, working with senior leaders and with technical and non-technical staff.
• Ability to synthesize evidence from interviews, usage data, and external practice into clear recommendations for leadership.
• Experience moving users from skepticism to routine use of new tools.
• Familiarity with research organizations, FFRDCs, or similar institutions.

Preferred:

• Experience with AI governance, security, and compliance requirements.

Fully remote

Salary Range: $171,800 - $283,100

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. This position is eligible for overtime. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

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Equal Opportunity Employer