Degree in Aerospace Engineering
Degree in Computer Engineering
Degree in Electrical Engineering
Analytical and Problem solving, Data Mining, Effective communication skills, English Proficiency, Simulation software
RAND's Summer Associate Program introduces outstanding graduate students in aerospace/aeronautical, electrical or mechanical engineering, computer or information science, applied mathematics, data science, physics or other related STEM fields to the RAND Corporation, an institution that conducts research on a wide range of domestic and international social policy issues as well as national security problems. RAND employs about 100 engineers, computer/information scientists, physicists, and applied mathematicians in Santa Monica, CA, Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh, PA.
Summer Associates experience the following at RAND:
Please note: Our summer 2024 program will be a hybrid model including in person work at one of RAND’s four offices with remote flexibility or working fully remote from where you live.
In person positions are typically available in RAND's major U.S. offices—Santa Monica, CA; Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; and Boston, MA. Office placement decisions depend on the availability of in-person mentorship.
Students must reside in the U.S. throughout their RAND summer assignment. International students who are planning to live in the U.S. during the summer of 2024 are eligible to apply. Any applicant who does not plan to live in the United States during the summer is not eligible for hire in the 2024 cycle.
Qualifications
The position is designed for full-time masters or doctoral students in aerospace/aeronautical, electrical or mechanical engineering, computer or information science, applied mathematics, data science, physics, or other related STEM fields. In order to qualify for the program, students must graduate on or after December 2024.
A keen interest in working on applied, policy-oriented research questions is necessary. Applicants are strongly encouraged to explore RAND's website
for details on RAND's ongoing research portfolio. Unfortunately, we do not know in advance which projects may require Summer Associates.
Additional qualifications required:
Who is not eligible?
The program does not hire high school students, undergraduates, or postdoctoral fellows at this time. Graduate students who will graduate prior to the summer of employment are not eligible. The program typically does not consider master's degree students except in the Engineering, Computer or Information Science, and Operations Research disciplines.
Specializations of Interest
Particular methodological areas of interest include modeling and simulation of weapons and/or sensor systems, preliminary designing of spacecraft, aircraft or subsystems, and data mining methods.
Security Clearance
U.S. Citizenship may be required for positions requiring a U.S. government security clearance.
Pay Rate: $29.50/hour
RAND Summer Associate positions receive bi-weekly compensation for hours that are worked. The positions are also overtime eligible.
Special Note
Applicants are required to submit two documents and should be prepared to answer three short answer questions as well as provide contact information for two (2) individuals who may be asked to provide letters of recommendation:
Please submit only one application. (Submitting more than one application will not increase the chances of being selected as one application will be randomly withdrawn)
Applications will be reviewed throughout the application period. All applications are due by December 4, 2023.
Applicants will be notified of RAND's interest in conducting an interview after the application period has ended. You will be contacted directly only if you are selected for an interview. Interviews will be conducted beginning in late January, continuing as late as February and March. Offers are typically extended in late March.
The RAND Corporation is an American nonprofit global policy think tank created in 1948 by Douglas Aircraft Company to offer research and analysis to the United States Armed Forces. It is financed by the U.S. government and private endowment, corporations, universities and private individuals.
Washington D.C., DC, USA
0-2 year
Santa Monica, CA, USA
0-2 year
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
0-2 year
Santa Monica, CA, USA
0-2 year
Washington D.C., DC, USA
0-2 year