ASSISTANT RESEARCH FELLOW
Fort McNair, DCFull-time / Temporary$77–104K/yrPosted 1 day ago
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Job overview
National Defense University seeks an Assistant Research Fellow to conduct research and analysis on national security, military policy, and related government issues. The role also supports curriculum development and teaching, college administration, and an unpaid research internship program. This is a Title 10 Excepted Service appointment for up to two years, with the possibility of extension.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
Summary
National Defense University (NDU) supports the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world. This is a Title 10 Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment is not to exceed 2 years with the possibility for extension.
Duties
Conducts studies and research of national security issues which have significant implications, based on specific guidance from Faculty Assists Faculty in the planning, development and conduct of technical studies and analyses, background papers, literature searches, etc., involving broad areas of national strategy, military policy, and related subject matters at the national level Provides analyses of issues across military, foreign policy, homeland security, and other relevant U.S. government policies and programs. Contributes to the maintenance of the College by assisting with vital administrative duties in support of travel, conferences, indoor and outdoor events, meetings, workshops, university classes and the general upkeep of the College and its systems. Participates in the development of curriculum materials and in teaching courses for the components of the National Defense University. Provides periodic reports to the supervisor on team and individual work accomplishments, problems, progress in mastering tasks and work processes, and individual and team training needs. Administer and oversee the application process and unpaid research internship program to include application requirements, deadlines, and point of contact, among others establishing contacts at major graduate programs to facilitate applications to ensure a high-caliber research team. Maintain research and administrative reference materials, project files and relevant back-ground documents and make available policies, procedures and written instructions from the Course Directors; maintain current knowledge to answer questions from team members on procedures, policies, OP-MEPS, etc. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications
Possesses a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (or international equivalent). 2 years' experience conducting research, performing studies or providing support to curriculum development. Experience as a team lead, assigning projects and managing deliverables and timelines. Exceptional skill in writing and oral communications techniques in order to develop and convey assessments and recommendations to senior leaders. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to initiate and maintain positive and productive working relationships with faculty, researchers. students, and colleagues in a group or individual setting. Experience using Blackboard. Google Cloud, Academic Databases, Search Engines, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Word in conducting research of course materials. Desired Qualifications: Knowledge of and skill in applying editorial guidelines and publication standards, including standards of style and accuracy. Demonstrates strong skills in editing, fact checking and proofreading for publications, reports, presentations as well as course material. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
Education Requirement: A master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (or international equivalent). Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if the position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified PRIOR to appointment, if selected for the role. * An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence PRIOR to appointment. Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education. How You Will Be Evaluated
A screening panel will review your resume and narrative answers to the assessment questions to evaluate your qualifications for the position. NDU uses a multi-tier selection process for academic positions. The following questions will be reviewed by the NDU screening panel https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13097851. Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ [email protected] Other Information
Background or Security Investigation: This is a Special Sensitive position which requires a background investigation. The individual selected for this position is required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security determination to occupy a Special Sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 18 month trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Reemployed Annuitants: Department of Defense has the authority to hire annuitants without reduction in pay. For more information, go to: https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/policy/retirement/reemployedannuitant All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-4434 for assistance. National Defense University (NDU) is the premier national security institution focused on advanced joint education, leader development and scholarship. Under the direction and leadership of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the oversight of the Director for Joint Force Development, Joint Staff (J-7), NDU offers a collegial and collaborative academic environment to support the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) and other graduate level programs to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world. NDU is comprised of six primary educational institutions and four additional component agencies: National Intelligence College (NIC), National War College (NWC), Dwight Eisenhower School (ES), Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC), College of International Security Affairs (CISA), the College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC), Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), International Student Management Office, Operations Support and the CAPSTONE General and Flag Officer Course. NDU has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security, and thrift savings plan (TSP); health, life, and long-term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. NDU employees enjoy flexible work schedules, transit subsidy and situational telework opportunities.
How this job compares
Set against the 4,921 open Researcher jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 30, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$77–104K/yr
- Washington, D.C. median$110–175K/yr37 salary ranges
- US median$100–148K/yr2,271 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $90K, is 38% below the Washington, D.C. median midpoint ($146K) — in the lowest quarter of Researcher salary ranges in Washington, D.C..
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 55 open Researcher jobs in Washington, D.C. and 4,921 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Washington, D.C.
- Lindahl Reed4 open
- FleishmanHillard3 open
- Pew Charitable Trusts3 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 2 years of experience; Researcher postings that state a minimum ask for 4 years at the median (1,648 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a master's degree; 2,452 of the 4,921 open Researcher jobs (50%) ask for a master's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 30, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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