Overview:
The Institute for Defense Analyses is a federally funded research and development center supporting the Department of Defense and other federal agencies that require rigorous and objective analysis of national security issues. The Strategy, Forces and Resources Division (SFRD) at IDA performs integrated, interdisciplinary studies of plans and policies related to national security strategy and homeland security and defense. The Division assists the U.S. and allied nations in analyses to provide defensive capabilities (which could be technical, medical, and/or procedural) against state or terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction against US military forces or civilians. Our analyses are highly technical and involve considerable modeling and simulation.

Challenging career opportunities now exist in our Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) defense analysis group. IDA takes great pride in the high caliber and timeliness of its analyses, which are produced in an atmosphere that encourages independent thinking and objective results.  Work at IDA is conducted in a team environment and often involves a multi-disciplinary approach. Researchers work closely with and are in frequent contact with government sponsors.  Consequently, strong communications skills will be greatly valued.

Responsibilities: 
Research Analysts are mid-to-senior level members of IDA’s research staff.  They typically possess extensive experience along with educational and professional credentials in their areas of expertise. Research Analysts are principally responsible for delivering scientifically sound research and technically reviewing other research products. Research Analysts are responsible for forming and leading teams in performing abroad spectrum of analytic functions from defining problems, determining appropriate approaches, modeling or developing, and applying analytical tools to illuminate those problems; guiding junior staff in the application of the selected approaches and tools; interpreting results; and communicating findings (using both written and verbal means). The Research Analyst will work with the CBRN analysis group within SFRD as well as with analysts from throughout IDA on a diverse set of topics, including CBRN planning assessments and scenario analysis, requirements determinations, material tradeoff and performance analysis, and doctrine and TTP development.