RAND’s Summer Associate Program introduces outstanding graduate students to RAND, an institution that conducts research on a wide range of national security problems and domestic and international social policy issues.
The program receives about 600 applications each year for the 40+ positions. The selection process is based on matching Summer Associates and their specific skill sets with researchers and their project needs. Given the ever changing research climate, RAND often do not know which projects may require Summer Associates until the beginning of the year.
The program runs in the summer months only. Summer Associates work at RAND full-time for a 12-week period. Positions are available in RAND’s major U.S. offices — Santa Monica, Washington DC, Pittsburgh, and Boston. All Summer Associates are collocated with project mentors.
Eligibility Criteria
- The program is designed for full-time students who have completed at least two years of graduate work leading to a doctorate (e.g., PhD, EDD, DRPH, SciD, etc.) or professional degree (e.g., law or medical degree, professional engineer certificate).
- Students must be enrolled full-time in a graduate degree program during the spring and fall of 2018 to be considered for the program.
Students graduating prior to September 2018 are encouraged to look at the full-time positions at www.rand.org/jobs.html.
U.S. citizenship is not necessary except for positions that require security clearances.
Guides for Applicants
RAND accepts applications only through the website. Applications mailed directly to RAND or emailed to the Summer Director will not be considered. Current Summer Associate positions include:
- Policy Research
- Economics
- Sociology & Demography
- Statistics
- Political Science & History
- Psychology
- Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Physical Sciences
- Operations Research, Ind Eng/Sys Eng, Mgmt Sci, Supply Chain, Risk Analysis
In order to submit a complete application, please be prepared to provide two documents, answer three short answer questions, and a few additional program/credential/skills specific questions:
1. Resume or curriculum vitae
2. Cover Letter
3. Short answer questions (which will be filled out in the online application, limit 250 words per question):
- Briefly describe your substantive interest and past experiences in those areas
- Briefly describe your skills and methodological expertise and how you have used those tools in previous research experiences
- Briefly describe why you are interested in the RAND Summer Associate Program and what role you see this experience playing in your career development
Download and view the Program Brochure
Deadline
4th December, 2017
The Organisers
The RAND’s Summer Associate Program is spearheaded by the RAND Corporation, a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest.
Further Information
Contact summer_Director@rand.org or visit the official website of the Graduate Student Summer Associate Program.
