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PhD Recruiting in Washington DC

Posted by Todd Maurer

DOGE may be in town but the US capitol remains a heavy recruiter of PhDs.  Here is a tiny sampling of what exists today at some of the top companies hiring PhD graduates:

  1. ENSCO, Inc.: They are seeking a Senior Geophysicist with a preferred PhD in Geophysics, Geological Sciences, or a related field1.

  2. Google: They have positions for Student Researchers with PhDs in their Atlanta, GA office, which may be relevant for those in the Washington, DC area5.

  3. Sandia National Laboratories: They are hiring for Postdoctoral Appointee positions, which typically require a PhD5.

  4. Government agencies: Many PhD-level positions are available in various government departments and agencies in Washington, DC, given its status as the nation’s capital14.

  5. Universities: Institutions like Howard University are hiring for faculty positions, which often require a PhD1.

  6. Research institutions: Organizations like Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) are looking for experts with advanced degrees to work on complex national security issues1.

  7. Private sector companies: Firms like ENSCO and others in the defense and technology sectors frequently hire PhD graduates for specialized roles14.

  8. Consulting firms: Companies like Barrow Wise Consulting, LLC are hiring researchers with PhD qualifications5.

  10. There are also many opportunities for multilateral jobs, particularly in international organizations and government agencies.

  11. Here are a few:

    1. United Nations: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has openings in DC, including positions like Assistant Communications Officer5.

    2. United Nations Foundation: They are hiring for roles such as Associate, Talent Acquisition, People & Culture5.

    3. International Organizations: There are numerous job openings in international organizations based in DC, including positions like: Senior Institutional Giving Officer, International Operations Support Assistant, International Relations Officer, and Policy Specialist for International Programs4

    4. Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of State offers opportunities to work on foreign policies and international relations, both in the U.S. and abroad2.

    5. Research and Policy Institutions: Organizations like the Council on Foreign Relations are hiring for positions such as Research Associate in Digital and Cyberspace Policy3.

    6. International Development: There are opportunities in international development organizations, though specific examples were not provided in the search results.

    7. Think Tanks and NGOs: Positions like Research Analyst for South Asia are available, which often involve work related to multilateral issues34.

    9. We have written here (now in the archive) on a range of opportunities in the DC area, and those dealing with international policy. The links above offer a pathway into your own research and career development.