Associate Research Analyst

CNA - Arlington, VA

Full-time - Entry Level

Arlington, VA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

CNA's China and Indo Pacific Affairs (CIP) division is looking for an Associate Research Analyst to be part of their China Studies Program team. We are looking for candidates that have professional level Mandarin language capabilities and who specialize in China studies, to work on projects that focus on military and security issues related the People's Republic of China (PRC). Staff at this level will provide research, analytical, and technical support on a range of projects focused on PRC military and security issues, to include work on the political, military, diplomatic, economic, technological, informational, nuclear, space, and cyber domains. The CIP division supports the Navy and Marine Corps, as well as other DOD sponsors by providing timely, data-based analyses on a wide range of security issues across the Indo-Pacific region, providing decision-makers the context they need to make informed choices and plans. CNA fosters an inclusive culture that values diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Our flexible and engaging work environment encourages iterative and creative collaboration at every stage of the problem solving process. Our employees are committed to helping clients develop effective solutions to better manage their programs through scientific, data-driven approaches. We are looking for creative and innovative individuals to help carry out our mission.

Responsibilities

• Under close supervision, conducts research and analysis that meets CNA's quality standards on focused, structured questions.
• Develops rudimentary institutional knowledge of primary clients/sponsors; their culture, organization, and issues.
• Contributes productively and harmoniously to the work of others; treats everyone respectfully, professionally and fairly.
• Supports business development efforts and/or marketing activities by conducting background research and helping prepare materials under the direction of more experienced staff.
• Limited interaction with sponsors/clients and their study POCs under the supervision of an experienced colleague.
• Demonstrates basic, effective communication skills, both written and oral.
• Works under close supervision on focused, well-structured pieces of projects.
• Exhibits a positive attitude in interactions with colleagues and clients/sponsors.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum Master's degree in a relevant field such as China studies, Asia studies, Indo-Pacific studies, political science, security studies, economics, and foreign policy.
• Typical minimum requirements Master's degree & 0+ years of experience in research and analysis.
• Time spent living and studying or working in China or Taiwan preferred.
• Experience conducting research using both Chinese- and English-language materials and experience working for or with US military or government organizations strongly desired.
• Professional-level Mandarin Chinese language skills strongly desired.
• Facility with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Access, Powerpoint).
• Ability to manage databases.
• Ability to gather and organize information on policies, systems, problems, or procedures.
• Strong critical thinking and organizational skills.
• Basic knowledge of research techniques.
• Ability to plan and organize tasks effectively, both as an individual contributor and as a team member.
• Effective communication skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to obtain and maintain an Active Secret Security Clearance.

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment.
• Compliance with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
• Background investigation for all individuals applying for positions with CNA.