Research Software Engineer

Key Skills

C++, JavaScript, Julia, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Python Programming, R Programming

Job Description

Research Software Engineers at the RAND Corporation work in a multidisciplinary environment, closely collaborating with researchers and analysts from a variety of domains.

This role focuses on work dedicated to preventing and mitigating potential pandemics and other biological risks and involves working closely with a team dedicated to this goal. Though no prior experience in biology or biosecurity is required, engineers in this role will work on a variety of projects relevant to the field and will become familiar with different domains relevant to biological risks such as biogovernance, biosafety, biosecurity, and talent pipelines in these fields.

Duties

• Develop a wide variety of software infrastructure and applications, all aimed at preventing and mitigating pandemics and other biological catastrophes (directly or indirectly).
• Enable large-scale web scraping, big data management, machine learning pipelines, platforms for specialized data analysis, and more.
• The emphasis of the role will be on backend engineering, infrastructure, data science, and web development.

Basic Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of backend engineering, infrastructure development, data science, web development, data mining OR information security
• Willingness to work in “startup mode” creatively solving problems and multitasking.
• Capable of and enthusiastic about working in close collaboration with other engineers, researchers, and professionals from different professional backgrounds
• Experience with Python
• Experience with some of the following programming languages:
• Web programming languages (e.g., JavaScript)
• Database platforms (e.g., MongoDB, PostgreSQL)
• Data analysis languages (e.g., R, Julia)
• General programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, C++)

Experience

• 5 years minimum of technical industry experience required.

Education

• BA/BS in computer science or highly related field such as information systems, computer engineering, etc. required.
• MA/MS preferred.

Writing Sample

• Code sample required.

Location

• We can support all RAND U.S. offices (Santa Monica, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, and Boston) or remote.
• Preferred Santa Monica, Washington D.C., or San Francisco Bay Area (remote)

Salary Range

Level II: $82,100 - $122,100

Level III: $95,100 - $144,800

Level IV: $113,700 - $173,600

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.

Security Clearance

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance is preferred. Only U.S. citizens residing within close proximity to a RAND U.S. office are eligible for a U.S. government security clearance for this position.

Term

This position is for a term of two years, which may be renewed.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet