Research Staff Member

Center for Communications Research, Princeton, The Center for Communications Research, Princeton (CCR Princeton) is seeking new permanent research staff members in mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, engineering, data science, and related fields to join our team.

Who We Are

CCR Princeton and its sister institutions, CCR La Jolla and CCS Bowie, form the Center for Communications and Computing, a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that is a division of the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA). We work under a long-term contract to the National Security Agency to address scientific problems related to its mission. We are a collaborative research institution looking to add self-motivated colleagues who like working on hard problems. Solutions often come from interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing on knowledge from mathematics, computer science, statistics, and signals analysis. Some projects require deep and sophisticated mathematics, others the latest computational technologies, and many require both.

How We Work

We have a shared-credit environment and a flat organizational structure. Collaboration is encouraged by an "open door" policy, informal conversations at daily tea, regular seminars, and easy access to spontaneous discussion sessions. The result is small, flexible working groups, with researchers free to choose what to work on according to their interests and expertise. Each summer we hold an intensive ten-week program, SCAMP (Summer Conference on Applied Mathematical Problems), where researchers from academia, government, and industry come in to collaborate with our research staff on focused problems that change from year to year. Rather than recruiting in specific subfields, we are looking for creative Ph.D.s who will help build on the body of knowledge in the external and internal literature. In addition to internal work, we encourage continued academic research, and support travel to both internal and external conferences.

Location and Requirements

CCR Princeton is located in Princeton, New Jersey. We maintain close relations with Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study, both of which are nearby. Princeton is a bikeable, cosmopolitan town with excellent schools, high-quality options for dining and the arts, and easy access to New York and Philadelphia. You must be a US citizen and be able to obtain an appropriate security clearance, which we will sponsor. Researchers may be able to begin work without a security clearance, performing unclassified or academic work while awaiting clearance. The start date for this position is flexible.

Benefits and How to Apply

CCR Princeton offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including moving expenses, medical and dental insurance, 10% contribution towards an employee's retirement plan (403(b)), HSA or FSA, life and disability insurance, and an on-site gym. Our work schedule is extremely flexible and offers a healthy work-life balance with generous vacation time. To apply, please use See below information to submit on Applications received by January 1, 2026, will receive full consideration, but those received after that date will still be accepted. IDA is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that is free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, marital status, genetic characteristic, or any other legally protected condition.

Please submit the following items online at for a complete application:

• Cover Letter
• AMS Cover Sheet
• Curriculum Vitae
• Research Statement
• Three Reference Letters (to be submitted by the reference writers on )

For further information, please contact Wayne Raskind, Director, at -, or see our website: https://ccr-

We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation program and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $115,000 - $265,000. Individual salary within the range will be commensurate with the incumbent's experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors.

U.S. Citizenship is required

Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required

IDA is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a fair recruiting process and working environment free from discrimination. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

IDA is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to and let us know the nature of your request and contact information.