RESEARCH FELLOW

Summary

National Defense University (NDU) supports the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world. This is a Title 10 Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment is not to exceed 2 years with the possibility for extension.

Duties

I. INTRODUCTION: The mission of the National Defense University (NDU) is to educate joint warfighters and other national security leaders in critical thinking and the creative application of military power to inform national strategy and globally integrated operations, under conditions of disruptive change, to prevail in war, peace, and competition. The Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) is the research arm of NDU. INSS Fellows provide strategic advice to decisionmakers throughout the Department of War (DoW), including the Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of War, Combatant Commands and Services. INSS Fellows conduct applied research in support of the warfighter. They engage regularly with DoW senior leaders. They also publish books, journal articles, and policy reports. II. MAJOR DUTIES: The major duties and responsibilities of the Research Fellow for Autonomous Systems and the U.S. Defense Industrial Base ("Autonomous Systems") will be as follows: Research. All INSS Fellows are required to conduct applied research in support of the warfighter. This research may be conducted independently or as part of a collaborative team. INSS Fellows publish their research in the form of books, journal articles, and/or policy papers and are required to author no less than two, original, high-quality, peer-reviewed journal articles annually. INSS Fellows also are encouraged to promote their research at symposia, through blogposts, and opinion pieces. 50% Engagement. All INSS Fellows are required to coordinate their research topics with, and present findings to DoW senior officials (General Officers / Senior Executive Service). INSS Fellows disseminate their findings in the form of interim and final briefings, trip reports, and/or policy memoranda. INSS Fellows also are encouraged to engage with other U.S. government stakeholders, U.S. military allies and partners, relevant think tanks, academic institutions, businesses, and the larger national security enterprise, depending on their expertise. These engagements may include conferences, workshops or wargames. 25% Teaching/JPME. All INSS Fellows are considered research faculty. INSS Fellows also contribute to the intellectual community of Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) institutions in general, and to NDU in particular. This support includes teaching core or elective courses, guest lecturing, contributing to curriculum developing, collaborating on programs targeting student, faculty, and/or staff development, and/or significant student mentoring or advisory programs within NDU. Teaching support is based on the needs of the colleges but also with consideration of INSS Fellows' expertise and ongoing research. 10% University Service. All INSS Fellows are required to support NDU-wide scholarship. These activities may include serving on university hiring or promotion boards, participating in the Institutional Review Board, maintaining an NDU-wide community of interest (COI), supporting NDU leader engagements, and/or convening roundtables, tabletop exercises, or conferences (and publishing conference reports) for the NDU community and DoW stakeholders. 10% Administrative Requirements. INSS does not have designated administrative support staff. As such, all INSS Fellows are expected to comply with administrative requirements in a timely manner. This requirement includes completing monthly reports, travel request forms, country and theater clearance request forms, travel vouchers, conflict of interest paperwork, training requirements, and other administrative tasks. The Autonomous Systems Fellow should expect to adhere to these basic administrative requirements. 5%

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Required qualifications for the Research Fellow for Autonomous Systems and the U.S. Defense Industrial Base: Education: Doctorate, all-but-dissertation status (ABD), or a terminal degree from a regionally accredited university (or international equivalents) in an appropriate broad discipline such as aerospace engineering, electrical or mechanical engineering, systems engineering, computer science, robotics, or operations research; interdisciplinary backgrounds that integrate engineering with national security, public policy, or industrial systems are strongly encouraged. Five or more years professional experience in a relevant industry/industry position, especially if it is related to autonomous systems' research and development, may be considered in lieu of the terminal degree requirements. Research & Publications: Record of high-quality, peer-reviewed, journal articles, books, policy papers and/or industry reports related to autonomous systems, as well as implications for the U.S. defense industrial base and defense policy. Demonstrated knowledge of research methodologies, including the ability to identify, acquire, and analyze primary and secondary sources of information pertaining to defense strategy and policy. Preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated ability to execute complex, multidiscipline, research studies and/or lead multidiscipline research teams. Engagement: Experience presenting research findings and their implications for U.S. national security to DoW senior leaders, other federal government audiences, and industry executives. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate that their research has had an impact on U.S. national security strategy and policy. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Desired qualifications for the Research Fellow for Autonomous Systems are as follows: Experience conducting research directly for, or in support of, DoW, particularly as part of the DoW-wide research labs or federally funded research and development centers. Experience working in, with and/or to coordinate industrial enterprises with key areas of DoW programs in unmanned vehicular systems and/or related technological areas. Experience in teaching graduate-level courses in relevant areas involving international affairs, national security policy and decision-making. Current Top Secret Security Clearance. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education Requirement: Doctorate, all-but-dissertation status (ABD), or a terminal degree from a regionally accredited university (or international equivalents) in an appropriate broad discipline such as aerospace engineering, electrical or mechanical engineering, systems engineering, computer science, robotics, or operations research; interdisciplinary backgrounds that integrate engineering with national security, public policy, or industrial systems are strongly encouraged. Five or more years professional experience in a relevant industry/industry position, especially if it is related to autonomous systems' research and development, may be considered in lieu of the terminal degree requirements. Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if the position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts