RAND

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

RAND's Economics, Sociology, and Statistics Department seeks applied economists across all experience levels interested in national security, health policy, or education. Within national security, we seek intellectually curious individuals with macroeconomic, industrial organization, U.S. financial market, or economic statecraft expertise. Within health policy, we seek expertise on Medicare, commercial insurance, health care market dynamics and concentration, or prescription drug policy. Within education, we seek expertise on education-to-workforce transitions or career and technical education. RAND economists have the option to teach policy students at the RAND Graduate School. Learn more about being an economist at RAND: http://www.rand.org/economics.html

Applicants must have a PhD by September 2027, demonstrated research skills, a strong interest in policy-relevant empirical analysis, and excellent written and oral communication skills. Applicants must be eligible for a U.S. security clearance (necessitating U.S. citizenship). Senior candidates should be able to provide evidence of external funding. RAND offers a flexible working environment, with offices in: Santa Monica, CA; Arlington, VA; Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA.

Applicants will be required to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, one research paper (such as your job market paper), and three letters of recommendation through JOE; applications will be considered only through JOE. You may include an additional research paper or publication as part of your submission; clearly label which is your primary paper. Solo-authored pieces are preferred; joint-authored papers should include an author contribution statement. Direct questions to essrecruit@rand.org.

Applications received by 4pm PT/ 7pm ET on November 16, 2026 will be considered for virtual interviews starting around December 14, 2026. We anticipate contacting interview candidates by December 11, 2026.

Salary Range
Associate Researcher $139,700 - $192,100
Full Researcher $158,000 - $229,100
Sr. Researcher $198,000 - $309,300

About RAND
RAND is 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 employees are mission-driven, smart, engaged, creative, passionate, and curious. Collectively, we share: a strong sense of purpose, a commitment to our core values of quality and objectivity, the belief that no problem is too big, too complex, or too controversial for us to take on, creativity and openness to new ideas, and the understanding that a wide range of perspectives and a welcoming environment enable effective teamwork. Events bring colleagues together from across work silos for fun, well-being, learning, and connection.
Equal Opportunity Employer.