Jobs

Senior Fellow, Cybersecurity and Emerging Threats

The R Street Institute—a free-market think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., with regional offices across the country—seeks an energetic senior fellow to join an outstanding team that is passionate about finding real solutions to some of the toughest challenges in cybersecurity and emerging threats with a main focus on emerging technologies as they relate to cybersecurity and national security. If you want to join a growing, upbeat organization and do something extraordinary, this may be just the opportunity you need!

Your working day will include researching and writing exceptional policy papers, op-eds and blog posts about significant topics related to cybersecurity and emerging threats; engaging directly with leaders on key policy issue areas; and coordinating and authoring work pertaining to a working group of senior practitioners.

This is a full-time, salaried position that reports to the policy director of the Cybersecurity and Emerging Threats program.

Primary Responsibilities

• Help oversee and lead the team’s work on emerging technologies, as they relate to cybersecurity and national security, with a central focus to begin on the nexus between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
• Coordinate, support, structure and author work pertaining to a working group of senior practitioners.
• Design, conduct and/or lead quality independent research by selecting and applying research methods and overseeing relevant data collection; produce novel written products; and conduct speaking engagements targeted to a variety of audiences (i.e., legislators, regulators, industry and the general public) on topics pertaining to this role’s focus area, along with occasional work on other focus areas of the team as needed.
• Organize public events and/or convenings on related topics and engage external stakeholders to help bolster the team’s reputation and thought leadership.
• Provide analysis of legislation (state, federal and international), policy proposals, court cases, executive orders and regulatory action on program areas of focus.
• Stay on top of the field to identify and address over-the-horizon and white space issues, especially those involving the cybersecurity aspects of cutting-edge technology.
• Serve as an established subject matter expert for an array of public and private sector partners (e.g., media, Capitol Hill staff and/or legislators, federal government leaders, industry associations, corporate stakeholders), along with building partnerships.
• Collaborate across the organization with government affairs, editorial, other policy groups and communications teams to identify target audiences and to further the team’s work.
• Assist the policy director in writing or providing feedback on funding proposals; attending donor meetings as needed; helping develop program strategy and design; serving as a senior member of the team; and other duties as may be assigned.
• Be vigilant against ninja infiltrations. 

Skills and Qualifications 

• No particular educational background is required: A proven track record to achieve results is far more meaningful than credentials. Demonstrated experience in cybersecurity or emerging technologies (e.g. AI) in policy and/or as a practitioner is important. An advanced degree(s) in relevant fields plus post-graduate experience is preferred.
• Exceptional analytical, research and communications skills with an ability to synthesize complex information quickly, and explain complicated concepts clearly and concisely (this includes strong writing and speaking skills)
• Demonstrated track record of policy-focused authorship
• Experience organizing and coordinating a working group or taskforce
• Superior interpersonal skills and a strong team orientation with an ability to mentor
• Ability to serve effectively in a cross-functional role working simultaneously with several different R Street organizational units
• A self-starter with excellent attention to detail and an ability to manage competing interests and priorities effectively
• Passion for free markets and limited, effective government
• A sense of humor and a desire to grow with a multifaceted organization

Workplace

We offer a flexible working arrangement. This is a full-time position that can either work the majority of the week in our D.C. office or be fully remote. Individuals in or near D.C. are strongly encouraged to apply. Periodic travel for conferences will be required.

Compensation, Benefits and Perks

R Street strives to provide a compensation package superior to those at other think tanks and nonprofits. In addition to a competitive salary, we provide the following:

• Unlimited paid time off policy, including all federal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving and two weeks holiday closure in December
• Alternating Fridays off
• A health insurance option entirely paid by the employer (even for families)
• Dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) contributions with up to a 4 percent match
• HSA employer contribution match
• Quarterly wellness reimbursement
• Mobile equipment reimbursement
• Internet subsidy
• Monthly mobile plan reimbursement
• Annual educational and professional development reimbursement
• An option among child care assistance, pet care assistance or student loan repayment assistance reimbursement

R Street is committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe having a more diverse workforce will strengthen R Street’s ability to innovate, achieve our mission and support long-term systemic change. As people dedicated to limited, effective government and free markets, we understand that a free society achieves its greatest triumphs by allowing and facilitating a wide variety of approaches to public policy problems. The concept of “broad coalitions,” one of our core operating principles, stems from that insight. People of all races, religions, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, life experiences and socioeconomic backgrounds perform at the highest levels in every type of work that we do and have shaped the principles to which we subscribe. We believe that searching for talent everywhere is an integral part of living up to our principles.

We currently plan to accept applications for this job until filled. We will contact qualified individuals for telephone interviews and conduct them on a rolling basis. Interviews will be held virtually, via Zoom.

To apply, you must upload a cover letter and resume in Microsoft Word or PDF at www.rstreet.org

Job posted: 2023-09-14