Principal Research Scientist (Russia Studies Program)

Principal Research Scientist (Russia Studies Program)

CNA, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Friday, February 9, 2024 at 5 : 00 AM Expired Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 3 : 59 AM

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Strategy, Policy, Plans and Programs (SP3) division is looking for a Principal Research Scientist to join their team.

Staff at this level are recognized experts in specific fields / research areas and have demonstrated leadership skills. They will lead projects addressing complex issues that may be large in size, and will have clear accountabilities for business development and for managing, growing, and enhancing client / sponsor relationships.

The SP3 division supports the Navy and Marine Corps, as well as other DOD sponsors by providing regional expertise and analyses, political-military studies, and U.

S. strategy and force assessments. Our research approach anticipates a broad scope of plausible outcomes assessing today’s issues, analyzing trends, and identifying the issue after next, using the unique operational and policy expertise of its analysts.

CNA fosters an inclusive culture that values diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Our flexible and engaging work environment encourages iterative and creative collaboration at every stage of the problem-solving process.

Our employees are committed to helping clients develop effective solutions to better manage their programs through scientific, data-driven approaches.

We are looking for creative and innovative individuals to help carry out our mission.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND / OR DUTIES

Work independently and effectively on a wide range of non-traditional analytic problems that are of increasing complexity and visibility to our sponsors / clients.

Routinely take the lead in supporting the work and development of other staff either individually or as a member of a project team.

Consistently produce the highest quality analysis.

Operate as a recognized expert in a specific field / research area within CNA; leverage that expertise to enhance CNA's reputation with existing clients / sponsors.

Develop and maintain deep, specific institutional knowledge and expertise of new and existing clients / sponsors; their culture, organization, and issues.

Apply that knowledge and expertise to lead development and shaping of new work for both existing & new sets of clients / sponsors.

Treat everyone respectfully, professionally, and fairly. Lead collaboration efforts. Contribute to the development of supervisor's vision and proactively take actions to realize that vision.

Take a business unit and corporate perspective; support corporate initiatives. Recognize and acknowledge contributions from subordinates.

Has independent responsibility to pursue business development opportunities and develop new clients / sponsors. Uses network of clients / contacts to develop and sustain sponsor base and develop new networks of clients / sponsors.

Writes competitive proposals and provides major support in marketing one or more areas.

Shape / influence how our sponsors / clients think about issues. Deliver fundamental change. Play a lead role in enhancing CNA's reputation as an organization.

Play a lead role in efforts to enhance CNA's reputation via publishing and outreach activities.

Communicate complex analytic results in a clear and concise fashion to sponsors / clients at all levels, and to audiences of all sizes.

Summarize and synthesize large bodies of work down to the essential elements and convey those results effectively and efficiently, in both written and oral form, to the most senior leaders in client organizations.

Effectively communicate with & engage colleagues at all levels of the organization.

Work independently under limited supervision from division management. Lead our largest and / or most complex and significant projects or multiple projects simultaneously.

Take responsibility for making connections and integrating work across teams and divisions.

Effectively distribute responsibilities to the appropriate people and levels. Serve as a role model / mentor for other staff regularly in the home division and occasionally in other divisions.

Develop internal and external networks of contacts and have a positive influence on those networks. Play an active role in supporting corporate initiatives, and support senior leadership initiatives to realize CNA's goals and vision.

Perform other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum Master’s degree in history, political science, public policy or relevant field, PhD strongly preferred.
• Experience : Typical minimum requirements 15+ years of experience in research and analysis. Significant experience in research design and mixed methods studies is necessary.

Familiarity with the deterrence literature, Russian military doctrine, and the Russian economy. Russian language skills a plus.

• Skills :
• Demonstrated ability to apply leading-edge principles, theories, and concepts to solve the most complex problems of critical importance to clients.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and develop solutions, to formulate problem statements conducive to application of analytical methods, and to develop analysis methods and approaches.
• Ability to work in an unstructured environment.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, evaluate, and propose original and practicable methods of resolving complex problems.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise program and project operations by developing procedures, planning and directing all aspects of the effort, and monitoring and reporting progress.
• Demonstrated ability in managing projects, contracts, funds, and resources.
• Ability to conceptualize, develop, and manage execution of a portfolio of projects in support of multiple client organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to interact, communicate, and advise at senior levels in government and the parent corporation.
• Widely considered expert in a broad scope of applications and uses of analytic methods.
• Excellent communications skills, both oral and written; experience in packaging analytic results in report format as well as in development and presentation of oral briefings.

Other : Ability to obtain and maintain an Active Secret Security Clearance.

Voluntary (but highly desired) document

The following information provides an overview of the skills, qualities, and qualifications needed for this role.

Please include a personal statement as part of your application. A personal statement is a chance for us to get to know you.

The statement is your opportunity to share your goals, interests, influences and show us that you will be a valuable asset to our organization.

Personal statements will not be used as an elimination criteria for this position. They will only be used to enhance a candidate’s application.

CNA is committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service and protected veterans, or other non-merit based factors.

In addition to federal legal requirements, CNA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

For more information about EEO protections, please view the EEO is the law posters here : "EEO is the Law" Poster, "EEO Poster Supplement".

The pay transparency policy is available here : Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster. To be considered for hire, all individuals applying for positions with CNA are subject to a background investigation.

For positions requiring access to classified information, U.S. citizenship is required. Individuals will also be subject to an additional government background investigation, and continued employment eligibility is contingent upon the ability to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

CNA, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America

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