National Defense University (NDU), located in Washington, District of Columbia, stands as the United States' leading institution for joint professional military education (JPME). Established to prepare military and civilian leaders for national security challenges, NDU offers a unique career landscape for academics passionate about defense strategy. Jobs at National Defense University span faculty positions, research roles, and administrative support, all centered on advancing strategic thinking in an era of great power competition.
Working at NDU means contributing to the education of top generals, diplomats, and policymakers. The university's campuses, primarily at Fort Lesley J. McNair, host colleges like the National War College and the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. Opportunities here attract those with expertise in international relations, cybersecurity, and leadership, providing a platform to influence U.S. defense policy directly.
Founded in 1976 under the U.S. Department of Defense, NDU consolidated existing war colleges to foster jointness among services. This shift created specialized jobs focused on interservice strategy, evolving with threats from the Cold War to cyber warfare. By the 1990s, roles expanded to include civilian academics, reflecting Goldwater-Nichols reforms emphasizing unified command.
Today, jobs at National Defense University reflect this legacy, with faculty blending military experience and scholarly research. Historical milestones, like the 2005 expansion of the College of Information and Cyberspace, opened doors for cyber experts, making NDU a hub for forward-thinking defense careers.
NDU's master's programs in National Security Strategy and Strategic Security Studies demand faculty versed in global affairs. The National War College, for instance, trains flag officers, requiring instructors skilled in war gaming and policy analysis. Similarly, the Eisenhower School focuses on resource strategy, hiring economists and acquisition specialists.
Research centers like the Institute for National Strategic Studies produce reports shaping Pentagon doctrine, creating analyst positions. These programs ensure jobs at National Defense University remain dynamic, adapting to issues like Indo-Pacific tensions or space domain awareness.
Careers at NDU include tenure-track professors, adjunct lecturers, research fellows, and support staff. Faculty roles often involve teaching JPME Phase II courses, while researchers tackle projects on deterrence. Administrative jobs cover HR and IT, all requiring alignment with DoD missions. For detailed breakdowns, explore university job types.
Most faculty jobs at National Defense University demand a PhD or equivalent in relevant fields such as political science (international relations), history (military), or engineering (systems). Military officers may qualify with advanced degrees and command experience. Research roles prioritize publications in peer-reviewed journals like Parameters or Strategic Studies Quarterly.
Preferred experience includes 5+ years teaching adults, grants from DoD entities, and active security clearance. Skills encompass analytical writing, briefing senior leaders, and interdisciplinary collaboration. For instance, a cybersecurity professor might need CISSP certification alongside a doctorate.
NDU research emphasizes joint force integration, great power competition with China and Russia, and emerging domains like AI in warfare. Preferred candidates boast experience in think tanks like RAND or prior DoD service. Publications on topics like multi-domain operations or climate security impacts are assets.
Skills and competencies include critical thinking, cultural awareness for global strategy, and proficiency in modeling tools like those for wargaming. Actionable advice: Build a portfolio with op-eds in Foreign Affairs to stand out.
Jobs at National Defense University are posted on USAJobs.gov, requiring federal resumes highlighting quantifiable impacts, like 'Developed curriculum adopted by 500+ officers.' Tailor cover letters to NDU's mission, referencing specific colleges.
Tip: Emphasize joint experience; pure Army backgrounds may need Navy/Air Force context.
NDU advances diversity through its Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion, targeting underrepresented minorities in faculty hires. Programs like the Minority Serving Institutions Leadership Forum bring in diverse scholars. Women in leadership roles, such as deans, exemplify progress, with metrics showing 25% female faculty growth since 2015. Mentoring pairs civilians with officers, fostering inclusive strategy discussions.
In Washington, D.C., NDU offers federal perks: 30 days annual leave, telework, and child care subsidies. Campus life includes the McNair fitness center, library with classified resources, and events like guest lectures by Joint Chiefs. Proximity to monuments aids work-life, though TDY travel (10-20%) is common. Employees praise supportive culture amid high-stakes work.
Challenges like clearance renewals are offset by TSP retirement matching up to 5%.
Federal benefits include health insurance (FEHB), life insurance, and student loan repayment up to $10,000/year. Salaries for professors range $130,000-$200,000 (GS-15 equivalent). Advancement via promotions to full professor or research director, with sabbaticals for fieldwork. Check professor salaries and university salaries for benchmarks.
Joint Professional Military Education (JPME): Accredited programs training officers across services for unified operations, mandated by U.S. law.
Security Clearance: Government vetting granting access to classified info; levels include Secret, Top Secret.
Great Power Competition: Strategic rivalry with peers like China, focusing on military-economic influence.
National Defense University jobs offer intellectual rigor and national impact. Explore broader opportunities via higher ed jobs, university jobs, and higher ed career advice. Institutions recruit through recruitment services. For faculty paths, see faculty jobs or professor jobs. Post your profile at post a job to connect.
Recent advice on employer branding secrets highlights NDU's appeal. In D.C., check local listings at Washington.
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