Research Staff Member - 2024-25

Overview

The Communications Research Division of IDA was founded in 1959 in Princeton, New Jersey, to apply mathematical expertise to research in cryptology. In 1989 its name was changed to Center for Communications Research (CCR-P).

The Center employs more than 40 Ph.D. mathematicians and computer scientists, working on problems in cryptography, cryptanalysis, algorithms, high-performance computing, information processing, signal processing, and network security, as well as related areas of pure and applied mathematics.

A surprisingly broad array of branches of the mathematical sciences have proved to be useful in this work, which is reflected in the variety of backgrounds of the researchers at the Center. The day-to-day work is aimed at providing practical solutions to important real-world problems faced by the National Security Agency; this can range from deep mathematical investigations to writing advanced computer programs to sophisticated statistical analyses of data. The research environment is distinctive in encouraging close collaboration, multidisciplinary teams, tight coupling between theory and practice, and strong connections with the other Centers of IDA.

Responsibilities

1. Develops and uses acquired technical knowledge and experience to identify, articulate and advocate for promising approaches to difficult problems.
2. Stay current on developments in mathematics and science with potential relevance to sponsor problems, and maintain strong connections to the academic research community.
3. Pursues and achieves solutions to problems individually and in groups, through mathematics, algorithm and code development, data generation and analysis, etc.
4. Works with other researchers and the sponsor to effectively prioritize effort across multiple difficult problems.
5. Documents ideas and incremental progress, sharing them within the research community so as to maximize the probability of success.
6. Maintains close communication with the sponsoring organization as necessary to ensure that evolutions in research direction remain relevant, promising, data-driven, and non-duplicative.
7. Develops and sustains working relationships with the sponsor to ensure that opportunities for collaboration are surfaced.
8. Individually, or in a team, prepares formal papers as appropriate, documenting methods, conclusions, and findings. May present findings of the final report to task sponsor and/or to select audiences.
9. Contributes to the overall technical heath of the organization, e.g. by leading SCAMPs, workshops, or sustained efforts; writing expository papers; serving as a liaison to academic departments; recruiting and interviewing potential researchers; arranging for external speakers; and giving out briefs on conferences attended.

Qualifications

• At minimum, requires BS 10 years of experience or MS 8 years of experience or Ph.D. in a discipline appropriate for the position
• Able to work effectively and independently in an unstructured environment
• Possesses relevant expertise and can bring it to bear on difficult problems
• Able to exercise sound judgment
• Able to effectively manage time across multiple research projects
• Able to collaborate well
• Able to effectively and appropriately leverage computing resources
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing
• Able to interact and maintain effective relationships with Government or industry representatives as needed
• Able to independently identify and address challenges, and assume technical leadership as needed
• Demonstrated ability to perform independent research
• Proven ability to publish findings and present findings orally
• Able to present ideas, concepts, and theories orally and in writing
• Demonstrated innovative thinking and problem resolution
• Able to work in an unstructured environment and/or on more than one project concurrently
• Able to interact with government or industry representatives
• Travel may be required