Senior Research Fellow

Job Details

JOB SUMMARY:

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Senior Research Fellows are responsible for leading areas of research specific to the aerospace defense strategy, operational concepts, tactics, and technology, including planning strategic projects, presenting as a subject matter expert, and supporting AFA's revenue.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Research, publish, and develop a body of work for Mitchell Institute (approximately 65% of effort):

• Lead and manage the requisite research to facilitate a body of work.
• Draft reports, opinion pieces, and issue briefings regarding aerospace and national security topics as specified by Mitchell Institute leadership.
• Author and publish on aerospace topics connected to research focus areas in a cadence appropriate to strategy and goals in relevant and prestigious journals, websites, and other mediums.
• Supervise and coordinate research support resources, including staff and temporary resources
• Provide data to facilitate broader Mitchell Institute and Air Force Association strategic planning, event coordination, budget planning, communications efforts, and general enterprise cooperation.

Business Development for Mitchell Institute programs (approximately 20% of effort):

• Seek business opportunities for broader Mitchell Institute program portfolio.
• Develop and promote the profile and contacts of AFA, Mitchell Institute, and specific research bodies of work to further revenue and growth.
• Maintain necessary professional networks to facilitate issue expertise, subject matter currency, subject matter expert access, fundraising capability, and general mission execution.
• Share network access with Mitchell Institute staff to facilitate broader enterprise goals.
• Coordinate within Mitchell Institute and AFA to execute programmatic goals in a collaborative and organized approach.

Support Mitchell Institute program events (approximately 10% of effort):

• Partner with the Mitchell Institute Coordinator and the Senior Program Director and relevant Executive Office departments to facilitate event logistical arrangements (book event venue, catering arrangements, on-site coordination, media coordination, necessary speaker coordination, serve as official event host, etc.).
• Manage event strategy and ensure individual event goals and overall standards of quality are met.
• Serve as a key point of contact during events to support speakers and attendees.

Other Duties as assigned (approximately 5% of effort):

• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.
• 10 years minimum experience in national security community, with a focus on strategic deterrence issues.

Education and Experience Preferred:

• Master's degree in a related field preferred.
• Air Force veteran with relevant operational experience status preferred.

Certifications & Licenses Required:

• None.

Department Core Competencies:

• Technical Competencies (Research)
• Strategic Planning
• Decision-Making
• Business Acumen

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Demonstrated knowledge of national defense, strategic deterrence, military space issues, and aerospace power.
• Experience developing and ability to grow an extensive professional network in the aerospace sector, national security community, and strategic deterrence cadre.
• Ability to set strategy and goals for events, and deploy organizational, management, planning and presenting skills effectively.
• Experience with budget planning and execution.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong adaptability to stressful situations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office with extra focus on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to be consistently thorough and demonstrate attention to detail in completing tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to complete, organize, and appropriately document activities.
• Demonstrated ability to be honest and ethical in work.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works out of Air Force Association's headquarters in Arlington, VA.
• Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, subject to modification based on the needs of each program or site.
• Operates in a professional office environment with travel to local offices, community partners, and events.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Must be able to travel (5%).

Physical Demands:

The position requires sedentary work (sitting most of the time with no adverse environmental exposure) and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The position also includes the following physical requirements:

• Movement. The employee in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• The employee in this position needs to be able to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a copy machine and printer.
• The employee is required to communicate and hold verbal conversations with others by means of the spoken word. Employee must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits:

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Wellness Resources

 Air and Space Forces Association

 05/01/2024

 Arlington,VA