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Policy Researcher Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Apply research design principles to develop study plans and assessments of asset management ... S. national security and foreign policy interests. * Demonstrated extensive understanding of ...

Policy Analyst III

Arlington, VA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

The Policy Analyst III will support effective communication and coordination among stakeholders ... Conduct technical liaison and coordination with stakeholders across the Naval Research Enterprise ...

Senior Policy Analyst

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$110 - $125/hr

Research, develop, evaluate, and monitor quality-assurance policies, procedures, performance measures, assessment tools, and reporting requirements. * Review program performance against established ...

Posted today

Policy Analyst III conduct technical liaison and coordination with stakeholders across the Naval Research Enterprise (NRE), Department of Defense (DoD), other federal agencies, and academia. * Policy ...

Policy Analyst - Mid

Springfield, VA · On-site

$90K - $125K/yr

Research and analyze operational data and policy requirements. * Support development of reports, strategic recommendations, and executive briefings. * Coordinate project schedules, stakeholder ...

Policy Analyst III conduct technical liaison and coordination with stakeholders across the Naval Research Enterprise (NRE), Department of Defense (DoD), other federal agencies, and academia.Policy ...

Showing results 41-60

Policy Researcher information

See Virginia salary details

$29.7K

$112.1K

$163.1K

How much do policy researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for policy researcher in Virginia is $112,132.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,400.00 and $152,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a policy researcher do?

A Policy Researcher analyzes data, evaluates policies, and provides recommendations to help organizations or governments make informed decisions. They conduct research on social, economic, or political issues, gather and interpret data, and produce reports or briefing materials. Their work often involves staying updated on current policy debates, collaborating with stakeholders, and presenting their findings to decision-makers. Policy Researchers play a crucial role in shaping effective and evidence-based public policies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a policy researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Policy Researcher, you need strong analytical abilities, research skills, and a background in political science, public policy, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (such as SPSS or Stata), data visualization tools, and academic databases is typically required. Exceptional written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and attention to detail set standout researchers apart. These skills are vital for producing accurate, actionable insights that inform policy decisions and drive effective advocacy.

What are some common challenges policy researchers face when translating complex findings into actionable recommendations?

Policy Researchers often grapple with distilling complex data and nuanced findings into clear, concise recommendations that are easily understood by policymakers and stakeholders. Balancing accuracy with accessibility can be challenging, as oversimplification may lead to misinterpretation, while too much detail can overwhelm decision-makers. Additionally, researchers must consider diverse stakeholder perspectives and ensure their recommendations are both practical and aligned with policy goals, often under tight deadlines. Developing strong communication skills and collaborating closely with policy analysts, subject matter experts, and advocacy teams can help address these challenges.

What is the difference between Policy Researcher vs Policy Analyst?

AspectPolicy ResearcherPolicy Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Public Policy, Political Science, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Public Policy, Political Science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, think tanks, government agenciesGovernment agencies, think tanks, consulting firms
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in research-focused roles within policy developmentInvolved in analyzing, developing, and recommending policies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research roles in policyUnderstanding policy analysis and development roles

Policy Researchers focus on conducting in-depth research, data collection, and analysis to inform policy decisions. Policy Analysts interpret research findings, evaluate policy options, and develop recommendations for policymakers. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often work in overlapping environments, Policy Researchers are more research-oriented, whereas Policy Analysts are more involved in applying research to policy formulation and advocacy.

What are popular job titles related to Policy Researcher jobs in Virginia?

For Policy Researcher jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Policy Researcher job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,132 per year, or $53.9 per hour.

Senior OSINT Policy & Governance Specialist

Absolute Business Solutions Corp

Reston, VA

$95K - $167K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Support the development, research, and drafting of policies related to OSINT and ensure interdepartmental coordination.

  • Conduct risk and regulatory assessments, audits, and provide compliance assessments and recommendations.

  • Support communications, engagement, and coordination across the OSINT community, including attending meetings and developing briefings for senior leadership.


Job description

Absolute Business Solutions Corp (ABSC) is not just another tech company. We’re a community of innovators, engineers, analysts and business professionals working together with our customers to tackle the most complex challenges. For more than 20 years we’ve supported critical Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), Federal Civilian missions and global, multi-national corporations. We specialize in supporting our clients in the Intelligence, Technology, Defense, AI/ML, and Data Science fields. As we continue to grow at a rapid pace, we need some amazing new professionals to join our team. In particular, we are seeking an experienced Cyber Security Specialist to primarily support our program.

Join the mission behind America's Open-Source Intelligence Enterprise. The Enterprise-Wide OSINT Knowledge Support (EWOKS) program supports the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the broader Defense Intelligence Enterprise by delivering cutting-edge capabilities that advance Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT). We're looking for a talented Senior OSINT Policy & Governance Specialist to play a key role in providing policy research, recommendations, drafting, and interdepartmental coordination, ensuring policies align with strategic goals. As an OSINT Policy & Governance Specialist, you will be responsible for supporting the development of policies, conducting risk and regulatory assessments, and providing compliance assessments and recommendations. If you're passionate about solving complex challenges and making a meaningful impact, this is your opportunity to work alongside some of the Intelligence Community's top professionals on one of DIA's premier modernization efforts.

Seniority of this role: Senior

Clearance Required for this role: TS/SCI with ability/willingness to obtain/maintain Counterintelligence Polygraph

Responsibilities:

  • Produce task execution and provide expertise to mid- and senior-level personnel on assigned projects
  • Provide policy research, recommendations, drafting, and interdepartmental coordination, ensuring policies align with strategic goals
  • Provide compliance assessments and recommendations
  • Support leading policy research, development, and coordination across OSINT programs, ensuring compliance and alignment with strategic objectives
  • Conduct risk and regulatory assessments and auditing
  • Support communications, engagements, coordination across OSINT community as part of Governance support
  • Attend and support various meetings as required, develop briefings, and support senior leadership with expertise

Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in an area related to the labor category from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. An additional 5 years of experience in the specific labor category, for a total of 17 years of experience in the specific labor category, may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.
  • Minimum 12 years of experience conducting analysis relevant to the specific labor category, with at least a portion of the experience within the last 2 years.

Desired Education, Experience & Skills

  • OSINT collection and analytic experience preferred. All-Source/Multi-INT analytic experience desired to complement policy/strategy experience.
  • OSINT or Open Source certifications from commercial or government organizations a plus.
  • Experience in the Intelligence Community.

An approximate annual salary range for this position is $95,000-$167,000. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Who we are:
ABSC is a technology and services company that combines the agility of a small business with proven processes refined over more than two decades in business. We specialize in supporting public sector clients in the Intelligence, Defense, Health, and Safety areas. Our team stands ready to deliver the next generation of programs, personnel, and solutions to help advance our federal government customers’ driving innovation, agility, and security across all mission areas.

Some of our benefits include:

  • Generous PTO plus 11 Federal Holidays
  • Retirement Planning – 401k Fully Vested with Match
  • Annual Health and Wellness Allowance – buy an Apple Watch, a treadmill, or hit the gym on us
  • Career Development – Annual Funds to spend on Education, Training and AI Tools
  • Volunteer Time Off – Annually, all employees can spend 8 hours directly supporting a charity of choice
  • Charitable Match – ABSC matches an employee’s donation to a qualifying charity
  • Referral Program – We pay for internal and external referrals!
  • LOV Awards – Earn bonus awards throughout the year from our Living Our Values awards program

Apply to join our team today! We are always looking to grow our team - if you know someone who is seeking a new career opportunity, please share this job opening with them! ABSC offers generous external referral bonuses. You don’t need to be an employee to benefit from our Referral Program!

*ABSC is a proud V3, Virginia Values Vets, member which recognizes our commitment to hiring Veterans. If you are a veteran, please be sure to include that in your application. Thank you! *

Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.