Open Source Nuclear Analysis Bootcamp

Washington DC, DC

Volunteer

Nuclear Information Project

Entry Level

For decades, the Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project has used open sources and satellite imagery analysis to develop the best available unclassified estimates of the status and trends of nuclear weapons worldwide.

In the summer of 2025, the Federation of American Scientists will host a first-of-its-kind boot camp to communicate and pass on its practices to the next generation of open-source nuclear analysts. This bootcamp, generously by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, aims to help lower the barriers to entry into this field, democratize open-source research practices, and foster a collegial community of experts among successive cohorts.

At this highly interactive bootcamp, you will work directly with FAS team members and external experts to develop skills in open-source and satellite imagery analysis, and collaborate with others in the cohort on short research projects during the week.

Some examples of topics that will be covered include:

The basics, ethics, and communication of open-source analysis
Nuclear secrecy and transparency
Analyzing primary and secondary sources
Filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and declassification requests
Geolocation and satellite imagery analysis of nuclear-related sites
Missile technology
The nuclear fuel cycle

The bootcamp will take place at the Federation of American Scientists headquarters in Washington, DC, during the week of July 7 to 11, 2025. Applicants must be able to fully participate in person for all five days of the bootcamp. Travel, transportation, meals, and lodging will be provided by FAS.

We expect that there will be significant interest in this bootcamp, and we will aim to construct a cohort that mixes proficiency levels with respect to different topics. In order to be eligible for this opportunity, your application must demonstrate how you intend to utilize the skills gained during this bootcamp in your work in the nuclear weapons field.

Qualifications:

Based in the United States*
Bachelor’s degree
Early- to mid-career professional
Working-level knowledge of nuclear weapons systems
Participants must have personal laptops that can download and run Google Earth.

*Or will be traveling to and from the bootcamp from somewhere in the United States.

Applications are due at 23:59 on 23 February 2025.

Apply for this position

Required*

Apply with Indeed

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Phone*

Address

Resume*

We've received your resume. Click here to update it.

Attach resume or Paste resume

Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

Tell us about yourself! What first got you interested in nuclear weapons and/or open-source research? (300 words or less)*

Please honestly rate your familiarity with the following topic on a scale of 1 to 5:

*Satellite imagery analysis*

1 = No Experience: I have no practical experience with this topic and would need to start from the basics.

2 = Basic Awareness: I am familiar with basic concepts and terminology but would need significant guidance and training in order to become proficient.

3 = Working Knowledge: I have hands-on experience or training, but am still developing and learning.

4 = Advanced Proficiency: I have several years of practical experience and a good understanding of best practices.

5 = Expert: Recognized authority on the topic with several years of practical experience and could maybe even teach this module.*

Please honestly rate your familiarity with the following topic on a scale of 1 to 5:

*Nuclear weapons systems and policies*

1 = No Experience: I have no practical experience with this topic and would need to start from the basics.

2 = Basic Awareness: I am familiar with basic concepts and terminology but would need significant guidance and training in order to become proficient.

3 = Working Knowledge: I have hands-on experience or training, but am still developing and learning.

4 = Advanced Proficiency: I have several years of practical experience and a good understanding of best practices.

5 = Expert: Recognized authority on the topic with several years of practical experience and could maybe even teach this module*

Please honestly rate your familiarity with the following topic on a scale of 1 to 5:

*Knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle*

1 = No Experience: I have no practical experience with this topic and would need to start from the basics.

2 = Basic Awareness: I am familiar with basic concepts and terminology but would need significant guidance and training in order to become proficient.

3 = Working Knowledge: I have hands-on experience or training, but am still developing and learning.

4 = Advanced Proficiency: I have several years of practical experience and a good understanding of best practices.

5 = Expert: Recognized authority on the topic with several years of practical experience and could maybe even teach this module*

Please honestly rate your familiarity with the following topic on a scale of 1 to 5:

*Filing FOIA and declassification requests*

1 = No Experience: I have no practical experience with this topic and would need to start from the basics.

2 = Basic Awareness: I am familiar with basic concepts and terminology but would need significant guidance and training in order to become proficient.

3 = Working Knowledge: I have hands-on experience or training, but am still developing and learning.

4 = Advanced Proficiency: I have several years of practical experience and a good understanding of best practices.

5 = Expert: Recognized authority on the topic with several years of practical experience and could maybe even teach this module*

Please honestly rate your familiarity with the following topic on a scale of 1 to 5:

*Google “dorking” or “hacking”*

1 = No Experience: I have no practical experience with this topic and would need to start from the basics.

2 = Basic Awareness: I am familiar with basic concepts and terminology but would need significant guidance and training in order to become proficient.

3 = Working Knowledge: I have hands-on experience or training, but am still developing and learning.

4 = Advanced Proficiency: I have several years of practical experience and a good understanding of best practices.

5 = Expert: Recognized authority on the topic with several years of practical experience and could maybe even teach this module*

Please honestly rate your familiarity with the following topic on a scale of 1 to 5:

*Analyzing missile technologies*

1 = No Experience: I have no practical experience with this topic and would need to start from the basics.

2 = Basic Awareness: I am familiar with basic concepts and terminology but would need significant guidance and training in order to become proficient.

3 = Working Knowledge: I have hands-on experience or training, but am still developing and learning.

4 = Advanced Proficiency: I have several years of practical experience and a good understanding of best practices.

5 = Expert: Recognized authority on the topic with several years of practical experience and could maybe even teach this module*

Please honestly rate your familiarity with the following topic on a scale of 1 to 5:

*Analyzing government budgetary and programmatic documents*

1 = No Experience: I have no practical experience with this topic and would need to start from the basics.

2 = Basic Awareness: I am familiar with basic concepts and terminology but would need significant guidance and training in order to become proficient.

3 = Working Knowledge: I have hands-on experience or training, but am still developing and learning.

4 = Advanced Proficiency: I have several years of practical experience and a good understanding of best practices.

5 = Expert: Recognized authority on the topic with several years of practical experience and could maybe even teach this module*

Which new open-source skill are you most excited to learn or develop, and why? (200 words or less)*

Please explain how you intend to utilize the skills gained during this boot camp in your current role or a potential future role. Please be specific about potential projects, initiatives, or career goals. (300 words or less)*

Describe a research project you have conducted using open-source materials or methods. This could include, for example, satellite imagery analysis, Google sleuthing, imagery interpretation, archival work, etc.). What were your methods, challenges, and key findings? (If you haven't conducted such research, describe a project you would like to pursue using OSINT methods and how you would go about it. (300 words or less)*

This boot camp requires all-day, full-time participation for an entire week in Washington, DC.

Please confirm your availability for July 7 to 11, 2025, and any potential conflicts.*

Will you require travel to/from Washington, DC, for the boot camp?*

Will you require hotel accommodations in Washington, DC?*

Will you be traveling to/from the boot camp from somewhere in the United States?*

Is there anything else you would like us to know?*

I understand that I am applying to a one-week unpaid boot camp at FAS, and that acceptance to this boot camp does not constitute an offer of employment at FAS.* Yes, I understand

The following questions are entirely optional.

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.

Gender

Race/Ethnicity

Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran

A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
- a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
- a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Veteran status

I IDENTIFY AS ONE OR MORE OF THE CLASSIFICATIONS OF PROTECTED VETERAN LISTED ABOVE
I AM NOT A PROTECTED VETERAN
I DON’T WISH TO ANSWER

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
Blind or low vision
Cancer (past or present)
Cardiovascular or heart disease
Celiac disease
Cerebral palsy
Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
Diabetes
Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
Intellectual or developmental disability
Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
Short stature (dwarfism)
Traumatic brain injury

Please check one of the boxes below:

YES, I HAVE A DISABILITY, OR HAVE HAD ONE IN THE PAST NO, I DO NOT HAVE A DISABILITY AND HAVE NOT HAD ONE IN THE PAST I DO NOT WANT TO ANSWER

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date
Name	Date

Human Check*

Submit Application

Thanks for visiting our Career Page. Please review our open positions and apply to the positions that match your qualifications.

Open Source Nuclear Analysis Bootcamp

Apply for this position