Institute for Defense Analyses

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a private, nonprofit corporation headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. IDA’s mission is to answer the most challenging U.S. security and science policy questions with objective analysis leveraging extraordinary scientific, technical, and analytic expertise.

Vision:
Our Nation’s most trusted partner in U.S. security and science policy analyses

Mission:
Answer the most challenging U.S. security and science policy questions with objective analysis leveraging extraordinary scientific, technical, and analytic expertise

Guiding Principles

Rigorous Analysis
Our findings and conclusions arise directly from the results of technically exacting and data-driven analyses. By holding ourselves to this high standard, our sponsors can trust the accurate, in-depth, and objective information we deliver to them.

Trusted Expertise
We are devoted to honesty, professionalism, and ethical conduct. We do and say what’s right, even when it isn’t easy. We work closely with our sponsors to make our analyses relevant, responsive, and timely. We report the truth revealed in data and our analyses. We are vigilant in protecting ourselves and our institution from any conflict of interest – real or perceived – that might impugn our research results and preclude these truths from informing public policy discourse.

Inclusion
We embrace differences. We celebrate the inherent value of a team diverse in thought, experience, and demographics.

Collaboration
We maximize the value of different perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas of multi-disciplinary, high-performance teams. Unified by our commitment to a common goal, we surpass what would have been accomplished individually.

Innovation
We are a learning organization – learning from each other, our peers, outside experts, and those we serve to create and improve the capabilities, methods, and approaches used in our work.

Service to the Nation
We exist to inform our Nation’s leaders as they confront the most challenging U.S. security and science policy challenges.

Careers

The Institute for Defense Analyses is a nonprofit organization that provides government agencies with high-quality, objective analyses of issues of national security. We provide a work environment that encourages rigorous, independent research on challenging and complex issues.

IDA embraces diversity and supports an inclusive work environment. Working here requires energy, commitment, flexibility, and teamwork. Whether you’re a graduate student ready to start your career, a professional looking for your next challenge, or a member of the military hoping to transition to the private sector while continuing to make a difference in the national security of your country, we offer exciting opportunities to learn and grow.

Applicants who are selected will be subject to a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. U.S. citizenship is required.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

Our Research Staff
IDA researchers – 90 percent of whom have advanced degrees – answer tough, urgent scientific and technical questions needed for important policy decisions.

At IDA, our focus is on hiring a diverse range of experienced professionals, new graduates, skilled technicians and military veterans in assembling a team reflective of the work we do.  We look for talented individuals with undergraduate and graduate degrees, including PhDs who are interested in working on some of the most challenging projects.   Regardless of where you are in in your career, the experience you have will enhance the full spectrum of talents we bring to bear on the work for our sponsors.

Government sponsors ask IDA's help in understanding exceptionally varied problems. For each project, research teams possessing the precisely necessary scientific and technical skills – and representing disparate life experiences – are assembled from across the Institute's divisions. IDA’s flat organization and culture of internal collaboration allow researchers to easily and collegially interact with each other and the Institute's leaders.