AI/Bio Research Project Manager, Operations (Term)

Job Type:

RAND's Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) is seeking a Research Project Manager specializing in operations to support the Center’s security clearance administration, people operations, and knowledge management efforts. This is a high-ownership role on a fast-moving team supporting one of RAND's highest-priority research centers.

In this position, you will play a vital connective role across the organization. You’ll be an integral part of our operations team, enable our research teams to do their best work, and shape the experience of working at RAND CAST. If you are someone who takes pride in making complex systems feel effortless, loves building environments where people thrive, and finds deep satisfaction in high impact work, this role is designed for you.

CAST is an 80+ person center at the forefront of transformative AI and biotechnology policy and their implications for global competition and security. Our teams work on verification frameworks for international agreements on AI, creating AI data centers that are secure, unlocking energy for AI production, developing models for public-private partnerships between frontier labs and government, and conducting AIxBio evaluations and mitigations, among other initiatives.

Responsibilities

Clearances

• Manage end-to-end security clearance operations, including submitting and tracking clearance requests, owning communication with key internal and external individuals, and coordinating with RAND Security and sponsoring USG agencies.

• Maintain and improve CAST's clearance tracking systems and processes, ensuring accurate status visibility and timely reporting to leadership.

People & Talent Operations

• Support end-to-end recruiting and hiring processes across concurrent research and operations hiring rounds in partnership with RAND HR.

• Manage people operations workflows including onboarding and offboarding coordination, performance review cycles, and term renewals in partnership with RAND HR.

• Provide general operations support across procurement, events, and cross-functional coordination.

Knowledge Management

• Support CAST-wide knowledge management initiatives, improving and automating how the center organizes, documents, and shares information across a growing team.

Qualifications

Required:

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple time-sensitive processes simultaneously.

• Experience navigating complex institutional structures and cross-functional partnerships.

• Exceptionally clear communicator who maintains professionalism in all candidate interactions.

• Ability to maintain composure and sound judgment under competing deadlines.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with U.S. government security clearance processes.

• Background in AI security, national security, or biosecurity.

• Self-directed and proactive in identifying process improvements

Education Requirements  

Minimum: Bachelor's degree; Master's degree preferred. A Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification can substitute for a Bachelor’s degree.  

Experience  

4 years minimum experience; 6 years preferred.  

Security Clearance  

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government clearance is preferred but not required.  

Term 

This position is a 3-year term appointment with a possibility of renewal, alongside options for longer term employment. We are seeking full-time candidates.  

Location  

Washington, DC (preferred); Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; or Boston, MA. Hybrid work arrangement, combining work from home and on-site options in these locations.  

Salary Range  

Research Project Manager I $75,700-$124,600  

Research Project Manager II $88,000-$145,200 

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 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 additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer