PRIMARY PURPOSE
CNA is hiring for a Research Analyst to join their Data Science for Defense Production Systems Program. The role is assigned to a team with a focus on technical warfighting and industrial base analysis. The team works closely with Navy sponsors to inform consequential decisions about force design.
Staff at this level will be leading smaller/less complex activities or will be serving as an important contributing team member on projects.
To reach the best solutions and solve the most challenging questions, CNA uses a merit-based process to bring together professionals from a wide array of academic disciplines, fields of study, technical specialties, and professional experiences. Our flexible and engaging work environment encourages open inquiry, robust and respectful debate, and collaborative execution through every stage of the problem-solving process. Our employees are committed to helping clients develop effective solutions to better manage their programs through scientific, data-driven approaches. We are looking for creative and innovative individuals to help carry out our mission.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND/OR DUTIES
1. With minimal or no guidance, meets CNA’s quality standards when working on well-structured pieces of a project. Demonstrates ability to develop sound analytic frameworks and associated analytic methodologies/ techniques for addressing both structured and unstructured problems. With direction and supervision, clearly defines, structures, and executes a piece of a complex study to meet quality standards. Demonstrates analytic creativity and curiosity.
2. Develops and maintains broad, general institutional knowledge of primary clients/sponsors; their culture, organization, and issues.
3. Contributes productively and harmoniously to the work of others; treats everyone respectfully, professionally and fairly. Keeps others informed. Proactively identifies and seeks out others working on similar topics. Works to identify opportunities for collaborations within team, division, and operating unit.
4. Supports business development efforts and/or marketing activities by maintaining strong client relationships through high quality work, increasing the visibility of our work, and other related activities such as proposal preparation.
5. Interacts with sponsors/clients under the supervision of an experienced colleague, and with study POCs independently.
6. Makes significant contributions to research publications and analytic products for individual projects.
7. Demonstrates ability to communicate results of work in a clear and concise fashion. Effectively communicates one-on-one and in groups. Can document work efficiently and accurately. Can effectively present work to colleagues, sponsors, and small audiences that are familiar with content.
8. Works with minimal or no guidance on focused, well-structured pieces of projects. Works under closer supervision on more complex, less-structured tasks. Can serve as task lead for pieces of projects by managing own activities. May lead small projects under the supervision of an RTL/CMD.
9. Exhibits a positive attitude in interactions with colleagues and clients/sponsors. Provides clear guidance to colleagues on tasks. Takes responsibility for own actions and outcomes.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
1. Education: Minimum Master’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience, PhD preferred. Preference for applicants with backgrounds in operations research, industrial engineering, management science, systems engineering, data science, statistics, or quantitative/computational social sciences
2. Experience: Typical minimum requirements Ph.D. & 0+ years or Master’s & 2+ years of experience in research and analysis. Requires experience in R, Python, or other similar programming language. Experience with interactive visualizations, graphical users interfaces, and modeling and simulation preferred.
3. Skills:
- Ability to make significant contributions to projects/analyses
- Strong analytic curiosity/ creativity;
- Ability to operate independently in the execution of assignments
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment
- Strong critical thinking skills
- Knowledge of research techniques
- Strong planning and organizational skills
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
- Ability to interact positively and somewhat independently with clients.
4. Other: Ability to obtain and maintain an Active Secret Security Clearance.
Required documents
1. Resume - Please upload your resume
2. Cover letter - Please upload a cover letter as part of your application that introduces yourself, summarizes your relevant skills and experiences, and describes why you would be a valuable asset
3. Writing Sample - Please upload a research paper or journal article that demonstrates your writing and research skills (draft copies are acceptable).
4. Transcripts - Please upload undergrad and graduate transcripts
Optional documents
1. Letters of Recommendations - In a later stage of the hiring process, we may require letters of recommendations
Skills Required
- Master’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
- PhD in a relevant field
- Master’s degree plus 2 or more years of experience in research and analysis, or PhD with 0 or more years of experience
- Experience with R, Python, or a similar programming language
- Background in operations research, industrial engineering, management science, systems engineering, data science, statistics, or quantitative/computational social sciences
- Experience with interactive visualizations, graphical user interfaces, and modeling and simulation
- Ability to obtain and maintain an active Secret security clearance
- Resume, cover letter, writing sample, and undergraduate and graduate transcripts
CNA Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about CNA and has not been reviewed or approved by CNA.
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Retirement Support — Retirement contributions are described as notably strong, with a 401(k) featuring company contributions. Examples include an automatic employer contribution plus a dollar‑for‑dollar match on employee deferrals, supporting long‑term savings.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off is described as generous, with PTO purchase options and paid family leave highlighted. Examples cite 3–4 weeks of PTO for full‑time employees alongside standard paid holidays.
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Parental & Family Support — Family‑building and caregiving benefits include paid family leave, adoption/surrogacy reimbursement, and LGBTQ+‑inclusive advocacy resources. These provisions complement an Employee Assistance Program for broader support.
CNA Insights
What We Do
CNA is one of the largest U.S. commercial property and casualty insurance companies. Backed by more than 125 years of experience, CNA provides a broad range of standard and specialized insurance products and services for businesses and professionals in the U.S., Canada and Europe. As a company of allies, we understand the importance of fostering an inclusive and supportive culture for all employees. Our eight Employee Resource Groups elevate the voices of underrepresented groups and champion critical DEI initiatives in the workplace and beyond. We strive to promote an environment of inclusion and continuously work to ensure all employees feel valued and respected.
Why Work With Us
CNA knows the importance of having the tools you need to expand your expertise and develop your career. With a variety of cross-discipline and cross-functional opportunities, CNA provides you with the tools and resources needed to customize your career path and understand what is needed to be effective in your role.
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