The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is hiring a Fellow / Senior Fellow to lead its work on one of the most critical questions in AI governance: how computing power can be monitored, allocated, and controlled to advance U.S. national security. You'll work with the Program Director to set the direction of the team's compute research, digging into AI hardware, data centers, cloud computing, and chip supply chains to develop actionable insights for national security policymakers. You'll anticipate compute-relevant issues for policymakers before they reach the top of the agenda, develop tailored recommendations, and represent CNAS as a leading voice on these issues in Washington and beyond.
You may be a strong fit if you can explain a new export control to a congressional staffer, enjoy studying supply chains for bottlenecks and chokepoints, and have a shortlist to call when a new BIS rule is announced. You don't have to be a hardware engineer, but you should understand the full AI stack and supply chains well enough to identify policy levers and translate these insights into actionable recommendations.
You'll join CNAS's Technology and National Security Program, a small, impact-motivated team. This position is also part of the CNAS AI Policy Lab, a cross-cutting initiative that integrates AI policy work across technology, defense, regional, and economic issue areas.
The following is an overview of the primary responsibilities. Other tasks may be required, and responsibilities may vary to meet the program's needs.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Research & Thought Leadership
- Develop and lead a research agenda on compute and national security, including export controls, AI chip supply chains, data center and cloud infrastructure, on-chip governance mechanisms, and global compute partnerships.
- Lead development and scoping of new research ideas, particularly where changes in the compute landscape, AI capabilities, or policy environment create new opportunities for analysis, engagement, or impact.
- Author reports, policy briefs, in-depth analysis, and commentaries that offer actionable recommendations to inform U.S. policymaking.
- Track technical, commercial, and policy developments in AI hardware and compute, including China's semiconductor ecosystem and allied industrial policy. Translate them into succinct briefs for senior policymakers to inform decision-making.
- Policy Outreach & Engagement
- Brief senior officials across the executive branch, Congress, and allied governments.
- Represent CNAS to key stakeholders, including government, industry, allied partners, and the research community. Build relationships that keep the program's work relevant and useful to decision-makers.
- Serve as a public voice for CNAS on compute and national security through media interviews, op-eds, podcasts, and public events.
- Design and lead private workshops, roundtables, and public events convening the national security, technology, and research communities.
- Supervise and mentor the workstream's AI Policy Associate / AI Policy Researcher, including identifying priorities and supporting their professional development and research activities.
- Contribute to program strategy and fundraising, including proposal development, funder engagement, and grant reporting.
- Collaborate across CNAS programs and the AI Policy Lab to integrate compute and export control issues into the organization's broader research on AI and national security.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Advanced degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.
- Extensive knowledge of AI compute policy and the underlying technology, including AI hardware, semiconductor supply chains, data centers and cloud computing, and export controls. Hands-on engineering experience is welcome but not required.
- Excellent writing skills, with a demonstrated ability to write fluently, clearly and concisely for policymakers.
- Relevant national security experience in the executive branch (e.g. White House, State, Defense, Commerce, Treasury), Congress, the intelligence community, an FFRDC, or a national security-focused research organization.
- Knowledge of the U.S. national security policymaking processes, including interagency decision-making, export control development and implementation, and legislative processes.
- Published analysis or policy work that has informed decision-makers across the government or industry.
- Demonstrated ability to brief senior policymakers and engage with media, translating complex technical issues into actionable insights to inform their work.
- Experience leading projects and managing or mentoring staff.
- Excellent judgment about the quality of data and competing information sources.
- Legal right to work in the United States.
Preferred:
- Government experience working directly on export controls, compute policy, semiconductor policy, or emerging technology issues.
- Education or full-time work experience in a technical or quantitative field, such as engineering, physics, computer science, or economics.
- Familiarity with industry perspectives, through work or engagement with technology, semiconductor, cloud computing, or AI companies.
- Knowledge of China's semiconductor and AI ecosystems, and of allied policy approaches to compute and export controls in countries such as Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Taiwan.
- Experience with fundraising and/or grant management.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- $140,000 - $260,000, depending on qualifications and experience
- CNAS offers a complete and competitive benefits package for employees which includes medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement accounts, transportation subsidies, and an employee assistance program.
LOGISTICS
- This is a full-time, in-person role based in Washington, D.C.
- This role is with CNAS's Technology and National Security Program and reports to the Program Director. It is also part of the CNAS AI Policy Lab.
- This is a three-year, term-limited appointment.
- Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply early.
- Candidates may start as soon as available.
About the Technology and National Security Program
The Technology and National Security Program focuses on high-impact technology areas with in-depth, evidence-based analysis to assess U.S. leadership vis-à-vis China, anticipate technology-related risks to national security and democratic values, and outline bold but actionable steps for the United States and its allies to lead in responsible technology development, adoption, and governance. A key focus of the program is convening the technology and policy communities to bridge gaps, exchange perspectives, and together develop solutions.
The program has a strong track record of research on compute governance, with in-depth analysis exploring on-chip mechanisms, global compute partnerships, and chip supply chain bottlenecks. You'd lead the next phase of this work.
About the CNAS AI Policy Lab
AI progress is fast outpacing policy. The opportunities and challenges of the AI age demand bold new ideas for U.S. national security that meet the moment. The CNAS AI Policy Lab fuses in-depth AI and national security expertise to produce cutting-edge, technically informed policy analysis. The United States and its allies must harness the benefits, manage the risks, and ensure democracies lead in this era-defining technology.
The AI Policy Lab integrates CNAS's technology, defense, regional, and economic expertise to address how AI is reshaping every dimension of national power and geopolitical competition. The Lab will serve as a hub for curated workshops, discussions, partnerships, and other convenings to bring industry, researchers, and the national security community to develop policy solutions. By bridging the divide between innovators and national security policymakers, the Lab will ensure that policy can match the unprecedented pace of technological innovation, harnessing the transformative power of AI while managing risks.
The AI Policy Lab builds on a sustained track record of CNAS leadership in AI policymaking. CNAS experts and alumni have written the rules for how the Pentagon incorporates autonomous systems, developed policies intended to preserve the United States's AI lead, and served in the highest levels of AI policymaking.
To Apply
CNAS accepts online applications only.
A complete application will include a cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for the position, along with your resume or CV. Your cover letter should explain, in your voice, why this role fits your interests and experience. Candidates who advance in the process will be asked to share writing samples, references, and a proposed research agenda.
While we understand the value of AI tools for increasing productivity, please do not use any AI tools to generate, rewrite, or revise your application materials. Your application materials must authentically represent your own voice, skills, and communication style.
