Job Summary:

At CSIS we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.

CSIS is looking for its first Data Science Fellow (or Data Science Senior Fellow, depending on experience). This person would be housed in our iDeas Lab, a multimedia laboratory that works across CSIS’s research programs to develop and represent research in new and visually-engaging ways. The Fellow will be responsible for working with iDeas Lab and CSIS leadership to develop an independent data science capability at CSIS that can work in cooperation with our research programs to produce more data-driven research that can be represented in visually compelling ways.

The ideal candidate will have strong data research capabilities and be able to work collaboratively with subject matter experts to enhance their research. The Data Science Fellow should have a working knowledge of existing data resources across CSIS’s programmatic expertise, experience working collaboratively with leading experts, the ability to identify opportunities to build unique data sets that could inform policy deliberations, ideas for how to present key data-driven research findings to non-technical audiences, and ideas for how to embed these capabilities within a decentralized organizational structure.

The minimum annual salary for this position is $110,000.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Conceptualize novel methods for analyzing policy questions that are often difficult to measure.
• Compile open-source information from various sources in a rigorous and methodologically sound manner.
• Build and maintain new datasets.
• Conduct data analysis on a variety of topics related to international affairs and national security.
• Present key research findings to non-technical audiences.
• Work with leading subject matter experts from across CSIS.

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in data science or a related field with at least 3-5 years of experience conducting data-driven research in a policy setting; or a Ph.D. in data science or related field international affairs with a strong quantitative focus and 2-3 years of experience.
• Ability to process, analyze, and interpret datasets to derive conclusions; and present findings for a broad audience.
• Experience with programming and statistical software (e.g. Python, R).
• Build datasets and maintain good data hygiene.
• Ability to conduct rigorous quantitative research with limited oversight.
• Interest and knowledge of foreign policy, international economics, national security, and international affairs.
• Good communication skills, emotional intelligence, initiative, and ability to collaborate as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a dynamic environment.
• Strong attention to detail, initiative, and follow-through skills.
• Willing to work onsite 3.5 days/week.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS:

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should submit a résumé, cover letter, and a writing sample at https://csiscareers.silkroad.com. Finalists will be asked for references.