Do you have a passion for mathematical writing? Do you have a degree in math, computer science, statistics, or a related area? The IDA Center for Communications Research, La Jolla, is seeking a full-time technical editor to provide substantive editorial support to the research staff and IDA Division management. Primary responsibilities include detailed editing and classification of documents produced by the CCR La Jolla research staff and other members of the research community, especially research papers in mathematics, data science, statistics and computer science. Other responsibilities include writing assistance on presentation materials, reports, papers, documents, and other publications.
Prior familiarity with handling classified material is not required and we invite applications from candidates who have never worked in a classified environment before.
CCR La Jolla is part of a non-profit corporation, and our working environment feels like a mathematics department at a leading research university, albeit without teaching duties and with a greater emphasis on collaborative research. We are located in San Diego, California, which boasts one of the best climates in the US and many attractions including a wide array of outdoor recreation, renowned arts and culture, family-friendly activities, fine regional cuisine, and outstanding craft beverages.
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 $91,415 - $146,264. Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbent’s experience and unique skills or qualifications.
Applications received by March 31, 2026, will receive full consideration.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in mathematics or related field; PhD preferred.
• Six or more years of experience, which may include time spent in a PhD program in a technical field.
• Facility with computers, especially LaTeX. Basic proficiency with linux and git.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills and ability to interact effectively with all levels of personnel.
• US citizenship is required.
• Employment is contingent on obtaining an appropriate security clearance (which we will sponsor).
Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items to complete your application:
• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Writing Samples
IDA (Institute for Defense Analyses) – a not-for-profit corporation headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia just outside Washington, DC – operates three Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) in the public interest: the Systems and Analyses Center, the Science and Technology Policy Institute, and the Center for Communications and Computing.
Sponsors rely on IDA for dispassionate, fact-based, and scientifically rigorous research and advice to inform their decisions. Since 1956, IDA’s basic mission has remained unchanged – bring the best scientific, technical, and analytic talent to bear on issues critical to U.S. National security, in a research environment free of commercial or shareholder interests where objectivity and the public interest are foremost.
The work produced by IDA’s FFRDCs is characterized by unquestioned objectivity and high quality. Because of our unique relationship with our Government sponsors, IDA enjoys unusual access to highly classified and sensitive government and corporate proprietary information. We adhere to a strict regime for avoiding conflicts of interest. We are thus in the position of offering outsider perspectives on important issues with insider access to information.
Our diverse mix of professionals possesses expertise in a broad range of technologies and systems combined with deep knowledge of costs, policies, operations, and organizational matters. IDA continually renews and evolves its staff, integrating those newly educated in the latest advances in research with seasoned veterans of acquisition management, policy-making, and operational leadership roles in government and defense-related organizations. The exceptional creativity, determination, and commitment to service that IDA researchers bring to their work are the foundation of IDA’s excellence.
