Critical and Emerging Technology Research Professional

Job Description SummaryOrganization's Summary Statement:The Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland is a University-Affiliated Research Center (UARC) dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and technology transition to improve decision making for U.S. national security. ARLIS combines deep scientific expertise with operational insight to address challenges in intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence / machine learning, quantum science, and human-machine teaming. Researchers, scientists, engineers, and analysts at ARLIS collaborate with government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions to deliver actionable insights and transformative solutions through research and development. Employees at ARLIS work on projects of critical importance, contribute directly to the nation’s security, and are supported by a culture that values integrity, collaboration, and professional growth.The Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland, College Park, is seeking qualified candidates with expertise in critical and emerging technologies and their implications for national and economic security. Ideal candidates will demonstrate the ability to conduct interdisciplinary research at the intersection of people, policy, and technology, with a breadth of experience across a family of technologies (or closely related technology areas) relevant to government missions.Candidates should be able to articulate how technologies are developed, scaled, and adopted, including the R&D ecosystem, supply chain dependencies, and economic drivers that shape technology evolution and strategic advantage. Successful applicants will also be comfortable working in collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams and communicating complex technical and socio-technical topics through technical deliverables and briefings for government stakeholders.Successful candidates will contribute to a portfolio of government-sponsored projects addressing emerging challenges in areas such as technology assessment, technology transition and adoption, risk and resilience, governance and policy, and human and organizational factors shaping technology use. Work may include research development, rapid analytic sprints, stakeholder engagement, and the production of actionable insights that inform decision-making across technology strategy, acquisition, and operational planning.Positions may include a focus on applied research, systems-level analysis, policy-relevant technical assessment, and/or field-informed studies of how technologies are used in real-world contexts. Final appointment title and responsibilities will be based on qualifications and matched to programmatic needs.Roles and Responsibilities:Roles and Responsibilities will vary by project and candidate expertise and may include:Conducting interdisciplinary research on critical and emerging technologies at the intersection of people, policy, and technology, with an emphasis on national and economic security relevanceAssessing technology capabilities, limitations, and trajectories across a family of technologies, including second- and third-order impacts on missions, markets, and societyAnalyzing socio-technical adoption and use, including how individuals, organizations, and institutions interact with technologies and how policy and governance shape their evolutionEvaluating R&D ecosystems, supply chains, and economics (e.g., production scaling, chokepoints, dependencies, incentives, and market structure) that influence technology development and strategic riskContributing to research proposals and technical work plans, including scoping research questions, defining methods, and supporting sponsor engagement as neededCollaborating with interdisciplinary teams including engineers, data scientists, domain experts, behavioral and social scientists, and policy analysts to integrate methods and findingsPreparing technical deliverables and briefings for government stakeholders, translating complex analyses into clear, decision-relevant products (e.g., reports, slide briefings, memos, and research summaries)Must be able to obtain a U.S. security clearance. If selected, you must meet the requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to a government security clearance investigation that includes criminal and credit history checks, as well as verification of U.S. citizenship, birth, education, employment, and military history.Final offer is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to successfully obtain the necessary interim Secret security clearance, as determined by the U.S. Government, prior to commencing employmentQualificationsARLIS is hiring at all levels in two complementary tracks: Research Specialist and Research Engineer.Research Specialist Qualifications:Entry Level:Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as basic science or engineering, public policy, international affairs, economics, supply chain, human factors, information science, or related discipline, plus relevant experience.~2 years of demonstrated experience in organizing and managing projects through volunteer, extracurricular, or work activitiesDemonstrated potential for excellence in the execution, administration, and/or management of research or academic programsAbility to work as part of a multi-disciplinary opportunity team in a matrixed organization with a collaborative and team-centric cultureStrong oral and written communication skillsExcellent analytical and deep-dive skillsMid-Level:Master’s degree in a relevant field such as basic science or engineering, public policy, international affairs, economics, supply chain, human factors, information science, or related discipline, plus relevant experience and 3+ years of experience in a technical role or project management position for defense or intelligence R&D programs with experience in technology assessment, systems design, system analysis, executing on multiple technical programs with scheduled deliverables, and communicating and interfacing with government customers; or Bachelor’s Degree and 5+ years of relevant experience in a role of equivalent responsibilitySuperior ability to deliver excellence in the execution, administration, and/or management of research or academic programsInteract with U.S. government sponsors, customers, and stakeholdersAbility to work as part of a multi-disciplinary opportunity capture team in a matrixed organization with a collaborative and team-centric cultureStrong oral and written communication skillsExcellent analytical and deep-dive skillsSenior-Level:Master’s degree in a relevant field such as basic science or engineering, public policy, international affairs, economics, supply chain, human factors, information science, or related discipline, plus relevant experience and 7+ years of experience in a technical role or project management position for defense or intelligence R&D programs with experience in technology assessment, systems design, system analysis, executing on multiple technical programs with scheduled deliverables, and communicating and interfacing with government customers; or Bachelor’s Degree and 10+ years of relevant experience in a role of equivalent responsibilitySuperior ability to deliver excellence in the execution, administration, and/or management of research or academic programsKnowledge of DoD appropriations and requirements processesLead engagements with U.S. government sponsors, customers, and stakeholdersAbility to work as part of a multi-disciplinary opportunity capture team in a matrixed organization with a collaborative and team-centric cultureStrong oral and written communication skillsExcellent analytical and deep-dive skillsResearch Engineer Qualifications:Assistant Research Engineer:PhD plus 5 years of research experience in a relevant field such as basic science or engineering, public policy, international affairs, economics, supply chain, human factors, information science, or related discipline; including success leading research projects and a record of engineering achievement and show promise of continued productivityAbility to:Initiate new projects with long-term research goals, tackling more complex problems than an Assistant Research Engineer, leading work on multiple, concurrent projects, and managing cross-functional engineering teamsServe as Principal Investigator or having primary responsibility for a significant part of a projectInteract with U.S. government sponsors, customers, and stakeholdersExpected to identify funding opportunities and serve as Principal Investigator on large proposalsMentor junior staff and Professional Track Faculty Specialists and participating in their promotion sub-committeesAssociate Research Engineer:PhD plus 5 years of PhD-level research experience, including success capturing and leading large projects and a record of significant engineering achievement and show promise of continued productivityRecognized as an authoritative subject matter expert and receive commensurate recognitionAbility to:Initiate new projects with long-term research goals, tackling more complex problems than an Assistant Research Engineer, leading work on multiple, concurrent projects, and managing cross-functional engineering teamsServe as Principal Investigator or having primary responsibility for a significant part of a projectInteract with U.S. government sponsors, customers, and stakeholdersIdentify funding opportunities and serve as Principal Investigator on large proposalsMentor junior staff and Professional Track Faculty Specialists and participating in their promotion sub-committeesFull Research Engineer:Ph.D. with at least 10 years of PhD-level research experience, including success capturing and leading large projects and a record of significant engineering achievement and show promise of continued productivityEstablished reputation for outstanding engineering practice, design, and development and viewed nationally as an authoritative subject matter expertProven Ability to:Tackle problems of considerable scope and complexity with currently non-existent solutions requiring unconventional, novel approaches and sophisticated research techniques.Pursue funding opportunities and serve as Principal Investigator or have primary responsibility for a significant part of a multi-investigator projectLead the design and implementation of large projects with many components (subcontractors, teams, etc.).Lead engagements with U.S. government sponsors, customers, and stakeholdersBuild and execute new research programsHold leadership positions within ARLIS, on campus, or professional committeesMentor junior staff and Professional Track Faculty Specialists and participating in their promotion sub-committeesPhysical Demands:Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment; exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Ability to attend meetings both on and off campus. Spending long hours in front of a computer screen.Preferences:Active TS/SCILicenses/ Certifications: N/AMinimum QualificationsThe appointee shall hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area and show potential for excellence in the administration and/or management of academic or research programs. Faculty Specialists are expected to engage in activities such as developing curriculum and/or innovative means for delivering curriculum, supervising the non-research activities of graduate or post-doctoral students, serving as grant writers or authors of other publications for an academic or research program, conducting specialized research duties or other such duties that would generate intellectual property to which the faculty member shall retain the rights. Appointments to this rank are typically one to three years and are renewable.Additional Job DetailsRequired Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, List of ReferencesBest Consideration Date: N/APosting Close Date: 11/30/26Open Until Filled: YesDepartmentVPR-Applied Research Lab for Intelligence & SecurityWorker Sub-TypeFaculty RegularSalary Range$49,072 - $252,288Background ChecksOffers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.Employment EligibilityThe successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.EEO StatementThe University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.Title IX Non-Discrimination NoticeResourcesLearn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net OnlineSearch Firm Managed RecruitmentThere are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Maryland