Research Associate – Information Technology and Systems Division (ITSD)

About IDA

IDA is a non-profit, federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that delivers objective, rigorous analysis on the nation’s toughest national security, technology, and science policy challenges. Our work is team-based, multi-disciplinary, and deeply impactful to national defense.

About the Role

This position is in IDA’s Information Technology and System Division (ITSD), located in Alexandria, VA, just outside Washington, DC. ITSD seeks a Research Associate with experience in digital engineering to contribute to the application of cutting-edge techniques to real-world programs. ITSD excels at empowering our partners through application of custom AI capabilities to answer critical national security research questions. Our AI-enabled research enables us to uncover strategic insights for key technology areas, national assets, critical infrastructure and more.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct data collection, perform analyses, and create visualizations focused on foreign influence and technology exploitation.

• Work as a member of research teams under the direction of project leaders and other analysts to contribute effectively to a team approach to problem solving.

• Perform fact-finding tasks; develop preliminary analyses, and shape findings and recommendations for the team.

• Develop and apply information collection, compilation, summary and analysis methods to support the needs of particular analyses.

• Engage with sponsors to understand their needs and deliver timely, relevant, and actionable research.

• Communicate results clearly through written reports, briefings, and discussions with colleagues, sponsors, and stakeholders.

What You Bring

Required

This position requires access or potential access to restricted national security information that is Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN) data. Dual citizens cannot be considered for this opportunity.

• Master’s degree with at least 2 years of relevant experience or a BS with at least 4 years of relevant experience in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Neuroscience, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, or an inter-disciplinary program that encompasses several of these fields of study.

• Demonstrated experience with data engineering and data pipeline development in the Python programming language (for example, using pipeline tools such as doit or luigi).

• Familiarity with software development best practices, principles and tools, including experience with git and other command line tools.

• Demonstrated experience querying and optimizing databases.

• Demonstrated experience with visualization tools such as Tableau, Neo4j, and Streamlit.

• Strong conceptual and analytical skills with demonstrated ability to conduct independent research.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Ability to thrive in cross-functional teams.

• Successful completion of a background check and ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI securit