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

About the role

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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

Benefits

Additional Information

Job Type: Regular

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