Application Guide

How to Apply for Research Lead - AI Cyber Testing & Evaluation

at RAND Corporation

🏢 About RAND Corporation

RAND Corporation is a prestigious nonprofit think tank known for its rigorous, objective research that informs public policy and national security decisions. Working here means contributing to high-impact projects that directly shape AI governance and cybersecurity strategies for the U.S. government and defense sector. The remote-first culture offers flexibility while collaborating with top-tier experts in AI and security.

About This Role

As a Research Lead in AI Cyber Testing & Evaluation, you will design and execute cutting-edge methodologies to assess vulnerabilities in AI systems, from adversarial robustness to security frameworks. Your work will provide critical insights to policymakers and defense stakeholders, helping to secure AI deployments in high-stakes environments. This role is at the forefront of AI safety, making it both intellectually challenging and deeply impactful.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a team stand-up to discuss progress on an AI vulnerability assessment project, followed by deep work designing a new testing framework for a client's AI system. After lunch, you might analyze results from adversarial attacks and draft a briefing for a government stakeholder, then collaborate with a policy analyst to refine recommendations. The day often ends with reviewing a peer's paper or planning next steps for a multi-month study.

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🎯 Who RAND Corporation Is Looking For

  • Holds a PhD in computer science, cybersecurity, or AI, with a focus on adversarial machine learning or AI security testing.
  • Has published peer-reviewed papers or authored influential reports on AI vulnerability assessment, red-teaming, or robustness evaluation.
  • Demonstrates hands-on experience developing and applying testing frameworks (e.g., evasion, poisoning, extraction attacks) to real-world AI systems.
  • Possesses strong interdisciplinary communication skills to translate technical findings into actionable recommendations for non-technical stakeholders.

📝 Tips for Applying to RAND Corporation

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific projects or publications in AI security testing, not just general AI experience.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your research methodology to RAND's mission of informing policy through rigorous analysis.

3

Include a brief portfolio or summary of your past evaluation frameworks, even if unpublished, to showcase your hands-on approach.

4

Mention any experience working with defense or government stakeholders, as RAND values policy relevance.

5

Research RAND's recent reports on AI and cybersecurity (e.g., on adversarial ML or autonomous systems) and reference them in your application.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your expertise in designing and executing AI cyber testing methodologies, with concrete examples of vulnerabilities you've uncovered.", 'Highlight your ability to produce actionable insights for policymakers, showing how your research translates into practical recommendations.', 'Demonstrate your collaborative experience working in interdisciplinary teams, as RAND projects involve experts from diverse fields.', "Express genuine interest in RAND's mission and how your skills can contribute to their ongoing work in AI security and national defense."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read RAND's recent publications on AI and cybersecurity, especially those related to adversarial machine learning or autonomous systems testing.
  • → Familiarize yourself with RAND's Project AIR FORCE and other defense-focused research units that may collaborate with this role.
  • → Review the bios of current researchers in RAND's cyber and AI divisions to understand their expertise and ongoing projects.
  • → Look into RAND's methodology for policy analysis and how technical findings are integrated into policy recommendations.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you designed a novel adversarial attack or defense evaluation. What was the approach and outcome?
2 How would you develop a framework to assess the robustness of a large language model against prompt injection attacks?
3 Discuss a recent paper or report on AI security that you found impactful and why.
4 How do you ensure your research findings are communicated effectively to non-technical policymakers?
5 What are the key challenges in testing AI systems for cybersecurity, and how would you address them in a RAND project?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid being too academic or theoretical; RAND values actionable insights, not just novel algorithms.
  • Don't neglect the policy angle—failing to discuss how your work impacts decision-making can hurt your application.
  • Avoid generic statements about AI safety; be specific about testing and evaluation methodologies you have used.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to RAND Corporation!

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