Research and Program Associate, Nuclear Information Project

The Federation of American Scientists is seeking a Research and Program Associate to join our Nuclear Information Project team. You will report directly to the Manager for the Nuclear Information Project and work in close collaboration with other members of the Nuclear Information Project and FAS at large. 

The Research and Program Associate for the Nuclear Information Project will provide operations and administrative support to execute grant deliverables and further other objectives of the portfolio, work to analyze and provide the public with reliable information about the status and trends of global nuclear weapons arsenals, and contribute research to support recommendations for the responsible reduction of nuclear arsenals and risks. The right candidate will help shape this full-time role according to their skills. 

This role is expected to include roughly 50% research and 50% logistical/operational support for the Nuclear Information Project. Some weeks and months will be more research-heavy, while others will be more operations-heavy. 

Core responsibilities of this role include:

Research and Analysis: 

• Under the direction of Project staff, use open sources (including satellite imagery, historical/archival records, treaty disclosure data, social media, local news, and FOIA requests) to conduct analysis on global nuclear forces. 
• Contribute to the creation of graphics, charts, and other visual tools for inclusion in research products.

Operations and Support: 

• Support fundraising efforts, grant proposals, and grant reporting processes as assigned by portfolio leadership. 
• Support implementation of program activities, such as workshops and trainings, as needed, as well as logistics and operations to advance internal project and portfolio management tasks. 
• Ensure that Project work is properly organized and internally filed in accordance with Project standards.
• Be responsive to internal requests for metrics-gathering, news clips, budget snapshots, and other reporting requirements.
• Occasionally support various FAS-wide organizational initiatives, events, and other activities as needed, including contributing to substance, preparation, and staffing.

Writing and Communication: 

• Under the direction of Project staff, write and publish regularly on nuclear weapons issues for the FAS website and for external publications. These could include issue briefs, blog posts, fact sheets, datasets, graphics, grant deliverables, or public-facing trackers. 
• Attend and participate in relevant events, conferences, panels, and workshops, and actively engage with other organizations and individuals in the global nuclear policy community. 
• Copy-edit, proofread, and footnote research products, specifically checking for substance and accuracy as well as clarity of language, grammar, and spelling.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to create social media and other public-facing content related to the work of the Project.

Skills and Expertise: Must Haves

• Bachelor's degree.
• 1-3 years of relevant experience, including internships, fellowships, academic research, journalism, policy work, open-source research, or non-profit program support. 
• Excellent writing abilities, critical thinking, and communication skills. 
• Curiosity and excitement about the subject matter, with a strong attention to detail. 
• Continuous commitment to deliver high-quality work accurately and on-time.
• Willingness to take initiative to complete tasks in a self-driven environment. 
• Interest in seeking out constructive feedback and coaching. 
• Knowledge of core issues related to nuclear weapons, non-proliferation, arms control, and disarmament. 
• The ability to travel to support research, policy, or programmatic goals. 
• Competency with standard word-processing and presentation software (e.g., Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word/Powerpoint, Google Drive, etc). 

Skills and Expertise: Nice-To-Haves

• Comfort and confidence with travel, public speaking, and presenting research. 
• Experience contributing to a defined research topic. 
• Experience conducting open-source research, including with satellite imagery.
• Language skills, particularly in Chinese or Russian. 
• Technical skills: experience with coding, data visualizations, modeling, simulations, satellite imagery analysis, imagery processing, object detection, web-scraping, open-source investigations, etc. 

Work Environment 

This position will be a hybrid role, meaning that both remote and in-person work can be accommodated––generally two to three days per week on-site, and two to three days per week remote, depending on the needs of the individual and organization.

This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific terms and conditions of employment are subject to collective bargaining.

Salary Range

• $62,000- $68,000

Why FAS?  

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) takes quite seriously our role as a beacon and voice for the science community.  

FAS has a rich history: after the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, a group of atomic researchers – deeply concerned about the use of science for malice – created an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity.  

The group they created – the Federation of Atomic Scientists – soon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world.  

We value equity, inclusion, and transparency. As a collective, we are building an organization focused on being impact-driven, customer-focused, and growth-oriented as a force for good in the world.

Benefits

FAS offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employees’ health, financial security, and overall well-being. Benefits include a competitive 403(b) retirement plan, medical, dental, and vision coverage, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, employee assistance support, pre-tax benefits such as healthcare and dependent care FSAs, and commuter benefits.

Hiring Statement

Don’t check off every box? Apply anyway! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. At FAS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and developing new voices. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway – you might just be the right candidate.

The Federation of American Scientists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Federation of American Scientists prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant. Employment is contingent on successful verification of eligibility to work in the United States.