RAND Summer Associate Program - POLITICAL SCIENCE & HISTORY

Position Description

RAND's Summer Associate Program introduces outstanding graduate students conducting national security-related work in political science, history, public policy, public administration, international relations, or other related fields to RAND, an institution that conducts research on a wide range of domestic and international social policy issues as well as national security problems.

RAND advises a variety of defense clients on policy-level decisions relating to defense programs, military systems, future force structure and doctrine, homeland security, and national military strategy. Working with multi­disciplinary teams, national security researchers apply quantitative and qualitative skills to analyze policy problems of national and international importance, and communicate the results of these analyses to decision makers.

Summer Associates experience the following at RAND :

Typically work at RAND for a 12-week period (60 work days) during the summer;

Receive a bi-weekly paycheck during their assignment with RAND;

Conduct research that can be completed during their time at RAND and present the results of this research to the RAND community via a 15-30 minute briefing at the end of their three-month assignment;

Are closely mentored by one to two established RAND researchers;

Are highly encouraged to network and interact with other researchers outside of their primary mentorship team and area of expertise;

Are invited to attend a number of seminars from researchers both within and outside of RAND.

Our summer 2026 program will be a hybrid model including in person work at one of RAND’s 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. 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 2026 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 2026 cycle.

Qualifications

The position is designed for full-time doctoral students in political science, history, public policy, public administration, international relations or area studies or other related fields who : (1) have completed at least two years of graduate work leading to a doctorate or professional degree (e.g., law or medical degree); and (2) are within two years of completion of this doctorate or degree.

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.

In connection with national security or defense projects, many positions require that applicants be eligible to receive, or currently hold, a security clearance from the United States government.

Additional qualifications required :

Excellent analytic skills;

Proven ability in quantitative and / or qualitative research methods;

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both verbally and in writing;

Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team;

Strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity;

Proof of legal right to work in the United States is required upon hire;

U.S. Citizenship is not necessary except when required for certain types of project work (e.g., the project contract requires it or the project work itself requires a security clearance)

Residency in the U.S. (excluding U.S. territories) is 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

Military Systems and Organization

Future Force Structure and Doctrine

National Military Strategy

Military Operation and Tactics

Security Clearance

U.S. Citizenship may be required for positions requiring a U.S. government security clearance.

Pay Rate

$32.00 / 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 :

Resume or curriculum vitae

Cover Letter

Short answer questions (which will be filled out on the online application) :

Briefly describe your substantive interests and past experience 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

Please be prepared to provide the contact information for two (2) professors or individuals (their name, their organization, and their email address) familiar with your research work and who would be willing to provide a letter of recommendation. If you are selected for an interview, these individuals will be asked to provide letters of recommendation. NOTE : You will be notified before we contact your recommenders. We typically request letters in late January / early February, so you may consider asking your recommenders to have their letters ready to submit around this time to allow sufficient time to prepare your letters.

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 1, 2025.

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.