AI Policy Associate / AI Policy Researcher

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is hiring an AI Policy Associate / AI Policy Researcher to help the U.S. national security community understand and manage the risks of advanced AI systems. In the next few years, U.S. policymakers will need bold, actionable ideas to protect national security as rapidly advancing AI models introduce new risks and disrupt existing paradigms for security and governance.

You’ll work closely with a Senior Fellow to develop these ideas by digging into the technical details at the nexus of advanced AI systems and domains such as cybersecurity, biosecurity, AI agents and loss of control, near-frontier open-weight models, and China’s AI ecosystem. The role also includes opportunities for your own research and writing on these themes.

You could be a good fit if you pore over the latest system cards, have thoughtful takes on the utility of benchmarks, and enjoy explaining the difference between a CTF score and real-world cyber capability. You’re someone who sees a misleading headline or claim about AI capabilities and can’t wait to respond with a detailed, well-sourced analysis to help policymakers better understand AI risks and trends.

This role is part of CNAS’s Technology and National Security Program, a small, impact-motivated team where you’ll have the opportunity to take on meaningful work early. This position is also part of the CNAS AI Policy Lab, a cross-cutting initiative that integrates AI policy work across technology, defense, regional, and economic issue areas.

The following is an overview of the primary responsibilities. Other tasks may be required, and responsibilities may vary to meet the program’s needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Research & Analysis

• Conduct timely, technically rigorous research and analysis on risks from advanced AI systems, with a focus on decision-relevant questions for U.S. policymakers, in support of the Senior Fellow and broader team.
• Track the national security-relevant capabilities and risks of leading AI models, including open-weight releases and models developed in China. Follow relevant technical, commercial, policy, and legislative developments to inform the team's work.
• Translate technical research into tailored, actionable products for specific U.S. policy audiences, including briefings, policy memos, and in-depth research reports. Identify opportunities where research can inform decisions, shape policy debates, or build policymakers’ understanding of emerging technical issues.
• Identify emerging policy questions, gaps in the existing research landscape, and opportunities for high-impact research. Contribute to the development and scoping of new research ideas, particularly where changes in the national security landscape, AI capabilities, or the policy environment create new opportunities for analysis or engagement.

Policy Outreach & Engagement

• Meet with and brief U.S. policy officials in the Executive Branch and on Capitol Hill on risks from advanced AI systems and policy recommendations.
• Build and maintain relationships across the AI policy community, including the U.S. Government, U.S. Congress, industry, evaluation and research organizations, technical experts, media, and the diplomatic community.
• Leverage relationships to anticipate and address policymakers’ needs, communicate research findings, and ensure that feedback from the policy community informs our work.

Administrative & Other Tasks

• Perform administrative tasks to support the Senior Fellow and broader team’s research agenda, such as organizing private workshops, briefings, and public events.
• Organize domestic and international field research, as needed, to support the Senior Fellow and Program Director.
• Contribute to strengthening the team’s internal processes and building the organization’s capacity.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• For the AI Policy Researcher level, at least 2-3 years of full-time, relevant work experience.
• Working familiarity with advanced AI capabilities and risks, such as model evaluations, developers’ safety frameworks, open-weight models, or AI applications in cybersecurity or the life sciences, or a track record of quickly mastering technical subject matter. A computer science degree is welcome but not required.
• Excellent writing skills, including diligent self-editing and fact checking.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with an ability to juggle multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Good judgment about the quality of data and competing information sources.
• Legal right to work in the United States.

Preferred:

• Education or work experience in a technical or quantitative field, such as computer science, machine learning, cybersecurity, biology or the life sciences, engineering, physics, or mathematics.
• In-depth knowledge of cybersecurity or biosecurity, including how AI models may shift the balance between offense and defense in these domains.
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Familiarity with China’s AI ecosystem, including its leading developers and model releases.
• Strong familiarity with frontier AI capabilities, risks, and technical trends, sufficient to form independent judgments about their policy implications.
• Published research or writing on AI policy, AI safety, or AI security.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $70,000 – $165,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
• CNAS offers a complete and competitive benefits package for employees which includes medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement accounts, transportation subsidies, and an employee assistance program.

LOGISTICS

• This is a full-time, in-person role based in Washington, D.C.
• This role is with CNAS’s Technology and National Security Program and reports principally to the Senior Fellow. It is also part of the CNAS AI Policy Lab.
• This is a two-year, term-limited appointment.
• Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply early.
• Candidates may start as soon as available.

About the Technology and National Security Program

The Technology and National Security Program focuses on high-impact technology areas with in-depth, evidence-based analysis to assess U.S. leadership vis-à-vis China, anticipate technology-related risks to national security and democratic values, and outline bold but actionable steps for the United States and its allies to lead in responsible technology development, adoption, and governance. A key focus of the program is convening the technology and policy communities to bridge gaps, exchange perspectives, and together develop solutions.

The program has a strong track record of research on frontier AI systems, with in-depth analysis exploring the national security risks of China’s advanced AI systems, alignment challenges, AI-enabled cyber uplift, and adversarial distillation. You’d build on this foundation to deliver technically rigorous policy analysis to inform U.S. policy.

About the CNAS AI Policy Lab

AI progress is fast outpacing policy. The opportunities and challenges of the AI age demand bold new ideas for U.S. national security that meet the moment. The CNAS AI Policy Lab fuses in-depth AI and national security expertise to produce cutting-edge, technically informed policy analysis. The United States and its allies must harness the benefits, manage the risks, and ensure democracies lead in this era-defining technology.

The AI Policy Lab integrates CNAS’s technology, defense, regional, and economic expertise to address how AI is reshaping every dimension of national power and geopolitical competition. The Lab will serve as a hub for curated workshops, discussions, partnerships, and other convenings to bring industry, researchers, and the national security community to develop policy solutions. By bridging the divide between innovators and national security policymakers, the Lab will ensure that policy can match the unprecedented pace of technological innovation, harnessing the transformative power of AI while managing risks.

The AI Policy Lab builds on a sustained track record of CNAS leadership in AI policymaking. CNAS experts and alumni have written the rules for how the Pentagon incorporates autonomous systems, developed policies intended to preserve the United States’s AI lead, and served in the highest levels of AI policymaking.

About CNAS

The Center for a New American Security develops bold, innovative, and bipartisan national security and defense policies that promote and protect American interests and values. Building on the deep expertise and broad experience of its staff and advisors, CNAS engages policymakers, experts, and the public with innovative fact-based research, ideas, and analysis to shape and elevate the national security debate. As an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization, CNAS leads efforts to help inform and prepare the national security leaders of today and tomorrow. CNAS is located in Washington, D.C.

CNAS is a proud equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

To Apply

CNAS accepts online applications only. Please apply online using this link:

https://cnas.bamboohr.com/careers/142

A complete application will include a cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for the position, along with your resume or CV. Your cover letter should explain, in your voice, why this role fits your interests and experience. Candidates who advance in the process will be asked to share writing samples and references and will also be asked to complete a timed written exercise.

While we understand the value of AI tools for increasing productivity, please do not use any AI tools to generate, rewrite, or revise your application materials. Your application materials must authentically represent your own voice, skills, and communication style.