Director, China Research Center, and Distinguished Chair in China Research

Job Type:

Overview

RAND Global and Emerging Risks (GER) brings together the world’s leading experts, scholars, strategists, and practitioners to help decisionmakers understand, anticipate, and prepare to navigate the national security and geopolitical implications of consequential challenges to civilization and global security, including the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, the biotechnology revolution, a transforming climate, and intensified strategic competition.

Founded in 2024, the China Research Center seeks to equip U.S. and allied policymakers with rigorous, forward-looking analysis on how China projects economic and technological power, with growing focus on the consequences and implications of the drivers, strategies, actions, and capabilities shaping China’s approach to artificial intelligence.

Position Description

RAND is seeking a director of the China Research Center and Distinguished Chair in China Research. The Director reports to the Vice President and Director of GER. Approximately 50% of this position will involve duties related to the management and oversight of the research center. The remaining 50% of the time will focus on the Center’s research. This is a five-year term position, with an option to extend subject to management approval.

The Director’s responsibilities include:

• Lead and guide all aspects of the center’s work in a manner consistent with RAND’s mission to improve policy and decision-making through objective research and analysis;

• Develop and execute the center’s strategic plan;

• Define and oversee the center’s research agenda and recruit resident research team and external collaborators;

• Develop and sustain relationships with decisionmakers in government and industry, in the United States and allied/partner governments;

• Pursue and develop new research and funding opportunities with foundations and donors;

• Ensure the quality of the center’s research products;

• Collaborate with GER’s Centers and Chairs, and other national security divisions, on China and AI-related research.

Qualifications

All research positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both orally and in writing; the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team on projects that are designed for policy impact; and a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

• The Director must have an excellent track record in researching and publishing policy-relevant issues on China and providing insights and recommendations to decisionmakers through experience in government, academia, think tank, or the private sector.

• The record should demonstrate strong research and analysis capabilities, deep knowledge of the China policy environment, excellent leadership and organizational management capabilities, successful management of a complex research portfolio, and the ability to develop a network for fundraising and research opportunities.

• A background in, or prior research on, issues at the intersection of China, technology, and geopolitics would be considered an asset.

• The Director must have exceptional abilities in interpersonal relations, managing staff and client relationships, and in written and oral communications.

Education Requirements

Master’s degree in relevant field is required; a PhD is preferred. A background in the social sciences, quantitative methods and operational analysis is preferred.

Experience

• The position is open to external applicants as well as internal research staff from all disciplines at the level of senior research leader. Research experience of at least 8 years is required with 10+ years desired.

• Experience working and/or engaging regularly with senior government, military, and/or industry is required.

• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and program building is required.

• Mandarin fluency strongly preferred.

Security Clearance

An active security clearance or the ability to be granted a secret or higher security clearance is required.

Must be able to access classified material on a regular (multiple times per week) recurring basis.

Writing Sample

A writing sample is required for this position.

Location

Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; or Santa Monica, CA. This position is flex, which provides the opportunity for work from home and the office, with at least 50% of days worked on-site at one of the RAND offices required.

Occasional travel to other RAND offices as well as travel to meet with collaborators in the U.S. and overseas will be expected.

Salary Range

Senior Researcher:  $152,700-$262,500

At RAND, the director role is a 5-year term assignment that is performed by an experienced researcher, and the researcher role is not a termed position. The candidate selected for this role will be offered regular employment with RAND as a researcher. RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. Successful candidates will be offered employment as a senior researcher in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Application Review

Review of applications will begin on July 6, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer