Senior Fellow and Director, The Technology and Global Security Program
FTE: 100%
Salary: $150,000 to $234,000
Location: Washington, DC
About Stimson and Position Summary
Reports to: Senior Vice President of Research Programs
The Henry L. Stimson Center, an award-winning foreign policy think tank, seeks a highly motivated individual to serve as Senior Fellow and Director of its newly established Technology and Global Security Program. The Program will work on the security implications of a broad range of emerging and converging technologies, including quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, additive manufacturing, uncrewed systems, distributed ledger technologies, nuclear technologies, and other innovations reshaping the international security landscape.
The Director will be responsible for conceptualizing, managing, fundraising, and substantively advancing a multi-dimensional program focused on how technological advances affect global security, strategic stability, nonproliferation, resilience, and international governance. The successful candidate will be expected to build a coherent programmatic vision that integrates existing and emerging Stimson workstreams on WMD-relevant technologies, WMD nonproliferation, and broader technology governance, while identifying new opportunities for research, convening, policy impact, and institutional growth.
The Director will oversee a major ongoing multilateral, multi-stakeholder initiative focused on identifying and mitigating risks associated with weapons of mass destruction-relevant technologies and advancing innovative approaches for global threat reduction. At the same time, the Director will be expected to develop a broader technology and security portfolio that positions Stimson as a leading policy institution at the intersection of emerging technology, international security, and practical governance. In addition, the Director will manage programmatic staff and support the growth of program portfolio.
This role requires a strategic leader capable of bridging government, industry, technical, philanthropic, and international policy communities. The Director must be able to translate complex technological developments into actionable insights for diplomats, policymakers, practitioners, and private-sector leaders; cultivate and manage external partnerships; mentor staff; raise funds; and produce high-quality research and policy analysis. The ideal candidate will combine subject-matter expertise with entrepreneurial judgment, institutional leadership, and a demonstrated ability to operate in a fast-moving think tank environment.
Essential Responsibilities include:
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Set the strategic vision and program priorities for the Technology and Global Security Program, including research, convening, policy engagement, and applied initiatives related to emerging technologies and international security.
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Integrate and grow Stimson's technology-related workstreams, including projects focused on WMD-relevant technologies, nonproliferation, responsible innovation, and technology governance.
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Oversee the IMPACT initiative, Q-Detect, and other major projects focused on identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with emerging technologies relevant to WMD, CBRN security, and global threat reduction.
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Conceptualize, lead, and complete policy research projects, proof-of-concept initiatives, scenario exercises, digital tools, and other practical outputs that advance policy debate and decision-making.
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Develop and sustain relationships with stakeholders across governments, international organizations, technology companies, scientific and technical communities, academia, philanthropy, and civil society.
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Facilitate public-private and multi-stakeholder collaboration on technology-related security challenges, including engagement with technology companies, innovation ecosystems, and international policy networks.
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Represent the Program and the Stimson Center in high-level domestic and international forums, expert dialogues, public events, media engagements, and policy discussions.
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Identify, develop, and cultivate funding opportunities; lead proposal development; manage donor relationships; and build a sustainable funding base for the Program.
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Produce and oversee high-quality written analysis, including reports, policy briefs, op-eds, articles, commentary, testimony, and other public-facing or private products.
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Translate complex technical and geopolitical developments into clear, policy-relevant insights for diverse audiences, including policymakers, diplomats, funders, journalists, and practitioners.
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Identify emerging risks and opportunities in the technology and security landscape and develop forward-looking strategies for policy engagement and institutional positioning.
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Manage program budgets, project timelines, deliverables, performance metrics, reporting obligations, and internal coordination processes.
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Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate program staff, consultants, fellows, and interns.
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Collaborate effectively with Stimson's executive leadership, research programs, communications, development, finance, and administrative teams.
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Pursue cross-programmatic collaboration within Stimson and help connect technology-focused work to the Center's broader regional and functional expertise.
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Relay timely and useful information to press contacts upon request and contribute to Stimson's public profile on technology and security issues.
The above specified tasks may not be the only duties assigned. Employees will be required to carry out any other job-related instructions requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodations.
Qualifications - required
- Master's degree or PhD in a relevant field, including international relations, political science, security studies, public policy, science and technology policy, computer science, data science, engineering, or a related discipline.
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At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in international security, technology policy, national security, nonproliferation, or a related field.
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Deep knowledge of the security implications of emerging and converging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, biotechnology, nuclear technology, additive manufacturing, or distributed ledger technologies.
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Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives in an international or policy-relevant context.
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Strong understanding of WMD nonproliferation and global security challenges, including how technological advances affect strategic stability, proliferation risks, resilience, governance, and international cooperation.
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Ability to engage credibly with technical experts and translate complex technological concepts into policy-relevant insights for nontechnical audiences.
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Established network across government, industry, academia, philanthropy, international organizations, and/or civil society.
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Proven ability to convene diverse stakeholders and manage relationships in politically sensitive or technically complex environments.
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Demonstrated track record of fundraising, proposal development, donor stewardship, and program growth.
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Superior written and verbal communication skills, including a demonstrated record of relevant publications, public speaking, and policy engagement.
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Experience managing fast-paced, iterative projects with multiple workstreams, deliverables, partners, and funders.
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Strong organizational and managerial skills, including experience supervising staff, managing budgets, setting priorities, and ensuring accountability.
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Ability to identify emerging risks, anticipate trends, and develop forward-looking strategies for research, engagement, and institutional positioning.
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Sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, entrepreneurial initiative, and comfort working in a highly collaborative think tank environment.
Qualifications – preferred:
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Experience working with or alongside multilateral initiatives, international organizations, public-private partnerships, or global governance frameworks.
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Familiarity with WMD nonproliferation, CBRN security, or global threat reduction.
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Working knowledge of technologies including: artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, additive manufacturing, biotechnology, and/or distributed ledger technologies .
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Demonstrated knowledge of the security implications of emerging and converging technologies, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum technologies, additive manufacturing, or distributed ledger technologies.
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Experience designing or managing pilot initiatives, practical tools, foresight exercises, scenario processes, risk assessment frameworks, or proof-of-concept projects.
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Experience engaging with technology companies, scientific communities, innovation ecosystems, or technical standard-setting bodies.
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Demonstrated ability to build a program or portfolio across multiple related but distinct issue areas.
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Experience working with philanthropic, government, and/or corporate funders.
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Desire to work in a highly collaborative environment focused on producing work of excellence, independence, and policy influence.
We welcome applications from candidates who may not meet all preferred qualifications.
Application requirements:
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Qualified candidates should submit cover letter with salary requirements and resume.
Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. This is a hybrid work position requiring U.S. residency and a minimum of two days in office with the possibility of up to three remote workdays each week.
Employee Benefits
15 Vacation Days, 10 Sick Days, 13 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance, Retirement Match, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Plan, Commuting, Wellness, Education Benefits, Parental Leave, and Bereavement Leave.
Stimson is an equal-opportunity employer. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.
