Research Assistant, Unconventional Weapons and Technology (UWT) Research Division

The Unconventional Weapons and Technology Division (UWT) of the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) is now hiring Research Assistants to work at START’s headquarters at the University of Maryland, College Park. This is an hourly position, beginning Nov. 1, 2017 and with an initial term of 3 months.

Responsibilities: The Research Assistants will initially work on a Horizon Scanning project focusing on non-state actor engagement with radiological and nuclear (RN) weapons. As a part of this effort, the research assistants will primarily be tasked with identifying signals (pieces of information) from a variety of technology and security related sources that will facilitate the identification of future potential changes in non-state RN threat paradigms. The research assistant will likely also participate in the subsequent synthesis/analysis phase of the project and ultimately in the production of materials designed to aid policymakers in the formation of forward-looking RN defense and counterproliferation policies.

Required Qualifications:
- Possess or are completing a bachelor’s degree (junior or senior standing if degree not completed)
- Possess at least a 3.6 GPA
- Strong writing and research skills
- Some degree of both scientific and geopolitical literacy (being well versed in at least one of the two)
- Previous database/dataset coding experience
- Ability to independently manage coinciding tasks in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree in the social sciences, physical sciences, history or engineering
- Coursework or research experience on issues of proliferation, RN weapons and/or terrorism
- Has previously worked at least one complete semester as a START intern
- The compensation for this position will be between $15 and $20/hour (depending upon education and experience). The person(s) selected for this position will work on-site at START’s headquarters, adjacent to the University of Maryland, College Park.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume and 2 page writing sample to James Halverson (jhalvers@umd.edu). Please put “UWT Hourly Assistant” in the subject line of your email. For best consideration apply by October 26th.

The University of Maryland, College Park, actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, gender, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, national origin, or political affiliation. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.