Fellow / Senior Fellow, Energy, Economics, and Security Program

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is hiring a Fellow or Senior Fellow to lead a new research program on competition policy and artificial intelligence (AI). You’ll work with the Program Director to build out a new line of research examining whether current competition policy is fit for purpose in the era of rapidly advancing AI capabilities, assessing the economic and national security impacts of different competition legal and policy frameworks as they apply to AI. You’ll lead the policy dialogue, not just follow it, and will develop high-impact, implementable policy recommendations for policymakers in the United States and key foreign capitals.

You may be a strong fit if you enjoy explaining regulatory minutiae, understand that impactful think tank work can be as much about building relationships as it is about doing desk research, and love the hustle required to build and implement your own research agenda. You might be an economist or lawyer, but most importantly you understand how competition policy works and have or can develop deep expertise in AI technologies.

You’ll join CNAS’s Energy, Economics, and Security Program, a small, impact-motivated team. We’ve done some thinking about competition policy and AI and are excited about the depth that this position will provide to our work. 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.

Ideal candidates will have experience in research and/or policy development at the intersection of economics, national security, law and regulatory policy, and AI. Candidates will be considered at the Fellow and Senior Fellow levels, based on a candidate’s prior experience and demonstrated ability to independently conduct high-quality research.

This position is a two-year, term-limited position, renewable based on the availability of funds.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The following is an overview of primary responsibilities. Other tasks may be required, and responsibilities will vary over time.

Research and Analysis

• Develop and implement a research agenda on potential economic and national security impacts of competition policy on the responsible development and diffusion of advanced AI, working with other research programs across CNAS.
• Conduct original research and analysis to improve public policy related to how varying approaches to competition policy and related regulatory programs could both facilitate and constrain U.S. national interests in advancing safe and secure AI.
• Lead specific research activities, which may include technical analyses, TTXs or other scenario-based work, roundtables/dialogues/workshops, and expert/policymaker engagements.
• Publish reports, policy memos, articles, op-eds, and other written and multimedia products related to core research themes.

Strategic Communications

• Serve as an expert commentator in the media and engage in public outreach through public speaking, press opportunities, social media, and other outlets.
• Conduct consultative meetings and outreach to senior government officials, thought leaders, and members of Congress and staff.
• Engage foreign partners both in the United States and abroad, including through regular research trips to key international locations.

Project Management

• Oversee all aspects of the competition and AI policy research agenda, including development and execution of a research plan, managing the publications process, and outreach and engagement disseminating research findings.
• Advise and manage research assistants, adjunct fellows, outside authors, and other CNAS and external contributors.
• Work with the Program Director and the CNAS Executive Team to support fundraising efforts across the program.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should demonstrate the following:

• Intellectual interest in policy issues at the intersection of economics, national security, law and regulatory policy, and AI.
• Demonstrated track record of policy-related publications or other indicator of strong policy expertise.
• Understanding of government policy processes and how to work within these processes to enact positive policy change.
• Established networks in relevant sectors.
• Sound and balanced judgment in navigating ideologically charged policy debates to advance evidence-based, pragmatic policy recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects independently, including strong problem-solving skills and initiative.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, media, private sector stakeholders, peer researchers, and junior staff.
• Commitment to CNAS’s mission of developing the next generation of national security leaders through training and mentoring junior staff.
• Legal right to work in the United States.
• Advanced degree in law, economics, public policy, or a related field preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $140,000 - $225,000, 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 Energy, Economics and Security Program and reports to the Program Director. 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 Energy, Economics, and Security Program

The Energy, Economics, and Security program explores the changing global marketplace and implications for U.S. national security and foreign policy. In a highly interconnected global financial and trade system, leaders must increasingly leverage economic, financial, and technology assets to defend and promote U.S. national interests. The Energy, Economics, and Security program develops practical strategies to help decision-makers understand, anticipate, and respond to these developments

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/145

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, references, and a proposed research agenda.

We understand the value of AI tools. However, 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.