Research Associate - Operational Evaluation Division
Institute for Defense Analyses
Alexandria, VA · Posted November 9, 2026
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Where Alexandria, VA ranks
Where Alexandria, VA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best all-round cities for new graduates in the Mid-Atlantic69 / 100 · of 37
- #4Best cities for government pay after cost of living$139k · of 18
- #5Cities with the most hybrid jobs in the Southeast16% · of 84
- #6Best all-round cities for new graduates in the Southeast62 / 100 · of 33
- #7Best cities for pay after cost of living in Virginia$139k · of 15
- #8Best all-round cities for new graduates65 / 100 · of 100
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 82 open research associate listings that state pay, the middle half runs $59,500 to $84,500 and the median is $67,500.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among life, physical, and social science technicians, all other is little observed so far. Measured exposure for life, physical, and social science technicians, all other: 10% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
About the job
... Research AssociateThe Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is an independent, non-profit corporation that operates three federally funded... .... We are seeking highly motivated and skilled Research Associates to join the Operational Evaluation Division (OED).IDA's Operational...