"Technical Associate I"

TECHNICAL ASSOCIATE I, Postgraduate, pre-doctoral position designed to further the understanding of the risk of nuclear and non-nuclear attacks against critical infrastructures. Responsibilities include: developing and testing scientific software packages used by group members for simulations, including GUI interfaces for public use; performing statistical analysis using Bayesian and frequentist methods, performing model validations using both information-theoretic measure and cross-validation methods; helping to identify modeling solutions for low-computational-cost approaches to performing physics on graphs; and performing other related duties as required, including work performed at lower levels, when necessary.

REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree; a minimum of two years of specialized experience with quantitative data analysis, research methods, social sciences (which may include experience gained as an undergraduate, including part-time RA work, internships, and other coursework); hands on experience with Stata or equivalent statistical package; experience working with large data sets; superb command of English, both written and spoken, with a demonstrated ability to structure complex technical documents and write with clear and precise prose; discretion in selecting research directions, finding and reviewing papers, and synthesizing research findings; programming facility Python, C, Java, R, Jupyter, and various GUI interface-development packages. PREFERRED: Experience applying technical methods to social questions, especially in the domains of the electric grid or nuclear weapons.

This is a full-time position expected to work in residence at MIT. The position is for one year, renewable for up to one additional year pending funding and satisfactory performance.