Research Associate Generative Artificial Intelligence; ITSD at Institute Defense Analyses

Research Associate Generative Artificial Intelligence (ITSD)

IDA is a non-profit, federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that delivers objective, rigorous analysis on the nation’s toughest national security, technology, and science policy challenges. Our work is team-based, multi-disciplinary, and deeply impactful to national defense.

This position is in IDA’s Information Technology and Systems Division (ITSD), located in Alexandria, VA, just outside Washington, DC. ITSD seeks a Research Associate with experience in using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to contribute to real-world programs. ITSD excels at empowering our partners through application of custom AI capabilities to answer critical national security research questions. Our AI-enabled research enables us to uncover strategic insights for key technology areas, national assets, critical infrastructure and more.

• Integrate frontier AI tools into workflows (e.g., craft precise, context-rich instructions to guide AI models—especially large language models (LLMs))—to produce accurate, relevant, and consistent outputs.
• Develop, deploy, and leverage analytic pipelines integrating AI tools and models to collect data, perform analyses, and create interactive visualizations.
• Work as a member of research teams under the direction of project leaders and other analysts to contribute effectively to a team approach to problem solving.
• Perform fact-finding tasks; develop preliminary analyses, and shape findings and recommendations for the team.
• Develop and apply information collection, compilation, summary and analysis methods to support the needs of particular analyses.
• Engage with sponsors to understand their needs and deliver timely, relevant, and actionable research.
• Communicate results clearly through written reports, briefings, and discussions with colleagues, sponsors, and stakeholders.

Required:

• This position requires access or potential access to restricted national security information that is Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN) data. Dual citizens cannot be considered for this opportunity.
• BS in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Neuroscience, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, or an inter-disciplinary program that encompasses several of these fields of study, and at least 2 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience with integrating key frontier AI into workflows (e.g., AI-assisted coding, automation, content generation, and developing clear, structured, context-rich, and example-driven prompts).
• Familiarity with MLOps, software development best practices (e.g., Dev Sec Ops , secure coding), principles and tools, including experience with software code management (e.g., git) and other command line tools.
• Demonstrated experience deploying, querying and optimizing databases. Familiarity with ACID, BASE, and CAP Theorem principles and different database types (e.g., graph) for selecting appropriate database architectures for specific problem sets.
• Secure software development proficiency (e.g., Python). Ability to learn how to use interactive visualization tools such as Tableau, Neo4j, and Streamlit. Ability to avoid, identify, and correct software security vulnerabilities.
• Strong problem-solving, conceptual, and analytical skills with demonstrated ability to conduct independent research.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to thrive in cross-functional teams.
• Successful completion of a background check and ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.

Preferred:

• Hands‑on experience with MLOps and modern AI orchestration frameworks (e.g., Lang Chain/Lang Graph, LLamaIndex, CrewAI) to build GenAI solutions.
• Experience with context engineering in designing scalable solutions for Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG), Graph RAG, and/or knowledge‑grounded AI.
• Experience conducting cybersecurity vulnerability assessments or penetration tests.
• Prior…