Senior Research Lead - AI Security Portfolio

Job Type: Term (Fixed Term) Overview RAND’s Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) , part of the Global and Emerging Risks (GER) Division, is seeking a technical and strategic leader to serve as Senior Research Lead – AI Security Portfolio. CAST conducts cutting-edge research on transformative, high-impact technologies—including artificial intelligence and biotechnology—to shape policies that protect global security and advance the public good. In this senior leadership role, you will oversee a large research and engineering portfolio focused on securing advanced AI systems, understanding their cyber capabilities, and informing the policy frameworks that govern them.

You will report to CAST Founding Director, Sella Nevo , and lead two major research teams composed of 15+ researchers and engaged in projects that span technical AI security research, cyber capability evaluation, and infrastructure development. Your work will guide RAND’s broader efforts to ensure AI technologies are safe, secure, and aligned with U.S. and allied national security priorities.

As Portfolio Lead, you will: Define and drive RAND’s research agenda on secure AI systems, establishing priorities across multiple teams and programs. Lead complex, cross-functional projects integrating technical R&D, cybersecurity operations, and policy analysis. Mentor and manage senior technical staff, project leaders, and researchers across a portfolio of 15-30 people.

Translate technical findings into actionable