Associate Director of Fusion

Founded by Dr. Eric Schmidt, the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) is a 501(c)3 private foundation tasked with making recommendations to strengthen America’s long-term global competitiveness for a future where artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies reshape our global strategic environment. The project is organized into six panels–Foreign Policy, Intelligence, Defense, Economy, Society, and Future Technology Platforms. Each panel will analyze AI and other emerging technologies, address how these technologies will reshape their field and produce detailed recommendations to ensure that America is organized to win the techno-economic competition. 

SCSP’s Commission on the Scaling of Fusion Energy is a bipartisan effort to align government, academia, and industry around a shared vision for the deployment of fusion energy to secure America’s position in the energy transition. By coordinating private sector innovation and public policy, it will seek to ensure the United States, together with its allies and partners, wins the fusion race and lays the groundwork for large-scale domestic power generation from fusion within the decade. 

As part of the Fusion team, you will gain exposure to a broad range of topics related to fusion energy, emerging technologies, national security and the policy-making process. SCSP offers a dynamic work environment, and each employee becomes an integral part of our team. This is an in-person position at our headquarters in Arlington, VA. 

• Conduct in-depth original research, data analysis, and policy analysis focused on fusion energy and national security. 
• Independently, and as part of the Fusion team, monitor and analyze trends, developments, and emerging issues in relevant fields and areas of interest for SCSP and the panel, and identify opportunities for additional research and analysis. 
• Produce written products based on the above research and analysis, including drafting original reports, briefing documents, talking points, newsletters, opinion pieces, action plans, and other written products – individually or in coordination with one or more members of the research and analysis team. 
• Collaborate with other panel research team members, as well as the operations, public affairs, and government affairs teams, to ensure advance preparation of materials needed for a variety of engagements, meetings, and events. 
• Participate in the development of the Panel’s and SCSP’s shared goals, priorities, and critical tasks. 
• Support and mentor panel research assistants in their research and analysis to ensure project deliverables meet requirements and deadlines. 
• Ensure high quality and rigorous standards for research and analysis, including adherence to SCSP’s protocols and procedures for citation, writing style, and potential conflicts. 

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nuclear, Plasma, Radiological, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Plasma Physics, Materials Science, Computer Science, Data Science or a related energy sciences field. Master’s Degree preferred. 
• 2 to 5 years of research and analysis experience. Experience in relevant fields identified above is preferred. 
• Self-starter with strong initiative, ability to work independently and in a team environment. 
• Expertise in one or more relevant fields, including: Nuclear, Plasma, Radiological, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Plasma Physics or Energy Science is preferred. 
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and actionable insights for senior leadership and policymakers. 
• Excellent research project management abilities. 
• Ability to mentor panel research assistants. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey a variety of concepts to diverse audiences. 

This is an exempt role.