AI Policy Associate/AI Policy Researcher

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is hiring an AI Policy Associate / AI Policy Researcher to work on one of the most critical questions in AI governance: how computing power can be monitored, allocated, and controlled to advance U.S. national security. You’ll work closely with a senior fellow to dig into the technical details of AI hardware, data centers, cloud computing, and chip supply chains to develop insights for national security policymakers, with opportunities for your own research and writing as well.

You could be a good fit if you enjoy reading the latest from Epoch AI and SemiAnalysis, scanning the Federal Register for new export controls, and explaining a FLOP to policymakers.

You’ll join CNAS’s Technology and National Security Program, a small, impact-motivated team where you’ll have the opportunity to take on meaningful work early. 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.

The following is an overview of the primary responsibilities. Other tasks may be required, and responsibilities may vary to meet the program’s needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Research & Analysis

Conduct timely, technically rigorous research and analysis of emerging issues in AI, compute, and national security, with a focus on decision-relevant questions for U.S. policymakers, in support of the Senior Fellow and broader team.

Maintain and deepen understanding of technical trends in AI and compute, including developments related to the AI chip supply chain, cloud computing, data centers, and export controls. Follow relevant technical, commercial, policy, and legislative developments to inform the team's work.

Translate technical research into tailored, actionable products for specific U.S. policy audiences, including briefings, policy memos, and in-depth research reports. Identify opportunities where research can inform decisions, shape policy debates, or build policymakers’ understanding of emerging technical issues.

Identify emerging policy questions, gaps in the existing research landscape, and opportunities for high-impact research. Contribute to the development and scoping of new research ideas, particularly where changes in the compute landscape, AI capabilities, or the policy environment create new opportunities for analysis or engagement.

Policy Outreach & Engagement

Meet with and brief U.S. policy officials in the Executive Branch and on Capitol Hill on developments in AI compute and recommendations for improving compute governance.

Build and maintain relationships across the AI policy community, including the U.S. Government, U.S. Congress, industry, media, technical experts, and the diplomatic community.

Leverage relationships to anticipate and address policymakers’ needs, communicate research findings, and ensure that feedback from the policy community informs our work.

Administrative & Other Tasks

Perform administrative tasks to support the Fellow / Senior Fellow and broader team’s research agenda, such as organizing private workshops, briefings, and public events.

Organize domestic and international field research, as needed, to support the Fellow / Senior Fellow and Program Director.

Contribute to strengthening the team’s internal processes and building the organization’s capacity.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

Bachelor’s degree or higher.

For the AI Policy Researcher level, at least 2-3 years of full-time, relevant work experience.

Working familiarity with AI hardware, semiconductors, data centers, cloud computing, or export controls, or a track record of quickly mastering technical subject matter. A computer science degree is welcome but not required.

Excellent writing skills, including diligent self-editing and fact checking.

Strong organizational and time management skills, with an ability to juggle multiple projects and competing priorities.

Good judgment about the quality of data and competing information sources.

Legal right to work in the United States.

Preferred:

Education or work experience in a technical or quantitative field, such as engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or economics.

In-depth knowledge of AI compute infrastructure or policy (e.g. AI chip specifications, semiconductor supply chains, data center energy use, China’s semiconductor ecosystem, export controls).

Strong familiarity with frontier AI capabilities, risks, and technical trends, sufficient to form independent judgments about their policy implications

Published research or writing on AI policy and compute governance.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

$70,000 – $165,000, 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 Technology and National Security Program and reports principally to the Senior Fellow. It is also part of the CNAS AI Policy Lab.

This is a three-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 Technology and National Security Program

The Technology and National Security Program focuses on high-impact technology areas with in-depth, evidence-based analysis to assess U.S. leadership vis-à-vis China, anticipate technology-related risks to national security and democratic values, and outline bold but actionable steps for the United States and its allies to lead in responsible technology development, adoption, and governance. A key focus of the program is convening the technology and policy communities to bridge gaps, exchange perspectives, and together develop solutions.

The program has a strong track record of research on compute governance, with in-depth analysis exploring on-chip mechanisms , global compute partnerships , and chip supply chain bottlenecks . You’d build on this foundation to deliver technically rigorous policy analysis to inform U.S. policy.

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