What is a Research Scientist at CNA?
A Research Scientist at CNA operates at the intersection of rigorous scientific inquiry, data-driven analysis, and national security. As a researcher within a premier federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), you will tackle highly complex, ambiguous, and high-stakes challenges for the Department of the Navy, the Department of Defense, and other federal agencies. The insights you generate do not sit on a shelf; they directly shape military operations, strategic planning, resource allocation, and national security policy.
What makes this role exceptionally rewarding is the sheer scale and real-world impact of the problem spaces. You might find yourself analyzing operational data from naval deployments, optimizing logistics for global supply chains, or evaluating the strategic implications of emerging technologies. CNA values empirical research and objective analysis, meaning your work will be grounded in hard data, field observations, and robust scientific methodologies.
To succeed in this position, you must be more than an exceptional researcher. You must be a skilled communicator who can translate highly technical, quantitative findings into clear, actionable advice for military commanders and government decision-makers. The environment is collaborative and multidisciplinary, bringing together experts from diverse fields to solve problems that have no pre-existing solutions.


