{"id":2531166,"url":"https://alion.io/job/nationalacademies-research-associate-physical-sciences-systems-and-infrastructure","title":"Research Associate - Physical Sciences, Systems and Infrastructure","company":{"id":45339,"name":"Nationalacademies","domain":"nationalacademies.org","url":"https://alion.io/company/nationalacademies","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":11,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-10-21T05:46:15Z"}},"role":"Science & Research","role_family":"Science & Research","seniority":"junior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":58700,"max":73370,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":73370},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":2,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Digital Twin","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-09T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-09","last_verified_at":"2026-10-21T08:54:00Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":13,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":13},"description":"Job Description Summary:\nThe Physical Sciences, Systems, and Infrastructure (PSSI) program area brings together leading experts from academia, government, and industry to provide independent and forward-thinking advice to support technology development and identify critical future research directions across the mathematical and physical sciences and engineering. Our work shapes policy and guides decision making on topics such as the future of U.S. energy systems, infrastructure needs, smart manufacturing, military force modernization, mission-focused Service systems integration, and defense applications for emerging technologies.Our landmark studies explore the opportunities and challenges at the frontiers of technology innovation - from digital twins to advanced nuclear reactors - and provide actionable advice on ways to harness these new advances for the benefit of the nation. Our workshops and roundtables offer unparalleled forums to discuss complex and timely issues as they arise with experts from across disciplines and perspectives.\nThe Research Associate for PSSI, develops pertinent background research to support a greater understanding of conditions, issues, and trends impacting assigned programs, projects, subjects, and topics. Performs research and analysis and drafts background papers. Prepares preliminary outlines of projects to determine appropriate methodology, which may include developing a historical perspective; identifying prevailing social and economic conditions and international involvement in issues; and assessing future trends and implications.\nDocuments and establishes files on analyses performed and prepares data for use in summaries, fact sheets, and reports. Edits report material developed by committee members, senior staff, and consultants. Manages related databases, including reference databases. Responds to inquiries about program activities and supports increased public awareness of these activities. May assist with administrative duties related to programs and projects.\nApplying general professional-level knowledge and principles of research, performs duties requiring the identification and analysis of various factors and the use of independent judgment and discretion to recommend the best course of action. Proceeds on own initiative in compliance with established policies, procedures, and practices, seeking guidance or expertise from a supervisor or higher-level staff when needed. May lead and/or supervise lower-level support employees.\nJob Description:\nESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:\n1. Research, Analysis, and Methodology\nPrepares preliminary outlines of projects to determine appropriate methodology.\nPerforms research and analysis, analyzing and organizing technical data and reports and compiling summaries of information.\nAnalyzes data developed and prepares written interpretations.\nSynthesizes data for specific sections of reports or other types of output.\nMay perform basic research and analysis.\nPrepares and formats various survey instruments and databases to accept specified information.\nVerifies references and checks facts of committee reports.\n2. Technical Writing, Reports, and Program Materials\nWrites technical papers or summaries.\nAbstracts information from reports, expert assessments, and other source materials to create overviews for committee review or use in committee reports.\nDrafts, summarizes, and edits findings and provides feedback to appropriate parties.\nPrepares program materials for review and dissemination and assists with review response.\nEnsures edits are included in program materials.\nCreates bibliographies, graphics, and tables for program materials.\n3. Data, References, and Records Management\nManages and maintains bibliographic and analytical databases, including databases used to track references.\nDocuments and establishes files on analyses performed, indicating methodology, variations in manipulation of data, and resource materials used.\nMay ensure Governing Board Project Approval Committee (GBPAC) compliance.\nEnsures National Academies Projects & Activities Repository (NAPAR) is posted and updated in a timely manner, the Public Access File is maintained, and documents are properly archived.\n4. Committee, Meeting, and Workshop Support\nConducts discussions with various officials, academics, allied groups, and staff.\nParticipates in selecting literature for committee members, forum and workshop participants, and other applicable groups to receive through mailings, briefing books, and meetings.\nAttends meetings to present and receive feedback regarding study area and prepares meeting summaries.\nParticipates in the planning and execution of committee meetings and performs other tasks associated with preparing for committee meetings and workshops.\nCorresponds with committee members.\nMay assist senior staff in researching and identifying potential speakers and committee and forum members.\n5. External Relations and Public Awareness\nResponds to inquiries from the public sector, sponsors, and other scientific peers outside of the National Academies.\nIncreases public awareness of programmatic work.\nIdentifies and contacts professional and advocacy groups interested in the committee's work.\n6. Staff Support, Training, and Supervision\nServes as a mentor and/or resource to employees.\nMay be responsible for training and supervising junior staff.\nNONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES\n Related duties and special projects as assigned.\nJOB SPECIFICATIONS\n\nRequired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to solve intellectual problems of appreciable variety and complexity using originality and ingenuity. Ability to exercise appreciable latitude for independent judgment and action. Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Ability to work successfully in a team environment. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies’ departments through effective communication. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.\n\nMinimum Education/Training Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge.\n\nMinimum Experience: Two years of related professional experience.\n\nPreferred Education and Experience: Master’s degree in a related field.\n\nPhysical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel.\n\nRequired Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.\n\nSupervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to program officer/director. Sets objectives with supervisor.\nCompensation & Benefits: An estimated compensation range for this position is $58,700 - $73,370. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance. For more information, please click here.\nWork Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.\nEqual Opportunity Employer:\nIt is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.\nAny qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.\nThe above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units\nJob Family:\nPROGEmployee Type:\nEmployeeScheduled Weekly Hours:\n37.5City/State:\nWashington, District of Columbia","description_format":"text","description_chars":8913,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":2,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Education assistance","Life insurance","Vision insurance"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Artificial Intelligence","Education","Transportation & Logistics","Higher Education"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-14T12:48:51Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":50,"band":"ok","label":"Likely open","p_open":1,"p_active":0.553,"p_room":0.9,"age_days":12,"expected_fill_days":20,"reasons":["conf:6","stale_co","win:mid","comp:junior"],"computed_at":"2026-10-21T05:46:15Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":73370,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/nationalacademies-research-associate-physical-sciences-systems-and-infrastructure","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/nationalacademies-research-associate-physical-sciences-systems-and-infrastructure.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-22T01:55:37Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":1255,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-23T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":45339},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=45339"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fnationalacademies-research-associate-physical-sciences-systems-and-infrastructure"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fnationalacademies-research-associate-physical-sciences-systems-and-infrastructure"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fnationalacademies-research-associate-physical-sciences-systems-and-infrastructure"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/nationalacademies-research-associate-physical-sciences-systems-and-infrastructure\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fnationalacademies-research-associate-physical-sciences-systems-and-infrastructure"}]}