Research Assistant

Job Title: Research Assistant – RAND Corporation Archival Project (National Security Archive at George Washington University)

Employer: Alec Nevala-Lee (Author and Researcher)

Location: National Security Archive at George Washington University (Washington, DC)

Compensation: $30/hour

Hours: Up to 10 hours per week, for approximately 2–3 weeks (flexible scheduling)

Position Description:

Author and researcher Alec Nevala-Lee seeks an undergraduate or graduate student to assist with archival research at the National Security Archive at George Washington University. The project supports a forthcoming nonfiction book about the RAND Corporation and its influence on U.S. defense, science, and public policy during the Cold War.

The research assistant will work independently on-site at the National Security Archive, retrieving boxes according to specific search requests, photographing documents, and sending images in PDF form. This is an excellent opportunity for a student interested in history, political science, public policy, archival research, or the history of science and technology.

Responsibilities:

Retrieve boxes from National Security Archive collections as directed

Use smartphone app to photograph relevant materials for emailing or upload to a shared research folder

Maintain organized digital files with accurate metadata and file naming

Qualifications:

Current undergraduate or graduate student (any major welcome)

Prior research, archival, or library experience preferred but not required

Availability to work on-site at National Security Archive for several hours per week during business hours

Duration: Approx. 2–3 weeks (flexible start date; expected total commitment ~30 hours)

To Apply: Please submit a brief statement (1–2 paragraphs) describing your background, interest in this project, and relevant experience, along with your résumé.