Research Associate applicants have rated the interview process at Institute for Defense Analyses with 3 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 100% positive. To compare, the company-average is 76% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Research Associate roles take an average of 44 days to get hired, when considering 8 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at Institute for Defense Analyses overall takes an average of 41 days.
Common stages of the interview process at Institute for Defense Analyses as a Research Associate according to 8 Glassdoor interviews include:
Phone interview: 23%
One on one interview: 23%
Group panel interview: 23%
Background check: 8%
Presentation: 8%
IQ intelligence test: 4%
Skills test: 4%
Drug test: 4%
Personality test: 4%
Here are the most commonly searched roles for interview reports -
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Institute for Defense Analyses (Alexandria, VA)
Interview
I got the interview through a personal contact. The interview consisted of multiple one on one interviews with staff members, a "job talk" (i.e. formal presentation of your research), a lunch, a panel discussion with multiple staff members asking you questions, and finally a meeting with the division director. I was at their campus for about 8 hours. Everyone is genuinely nice and extremely professional, but they clearly take HR decisions very seriously and will bore down into your strengths and weaknesses with a high degree of accuracy and candor. I personally think is admirable and reflects an organizational focus on getting the right kind of person, but some may find it intimidating. There was a particular focus on cultural fit and methodological tools. Be prepared to talk about your weaknesses. I received an informal offer a three weeks later and a formal one a week after that. In terms of timeframe, that's definitely slower than the private sector but far faster than government. All in all, a very fair and positive process, and I'm excited to be joining them.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How would you feel about your work product only being consumed by a few people, as opposed to a wider audience?
I applied online. I interviewed at Institute for Defense Analyses (Alexandria, VA) in Apr 2026
Interview
First was an HR phone screening (30 mins), then the next week came a 2-person technical zoom screening (45 mins). After which point they contacted all of my references, and the final step was a full-day on-site with individual and group interviews with a lot of different people + an hour-long presentation panel (which you give) and lunch.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why are you interested in working at IDA? What draws you to the National Defense Space?
I applied online. I interviewed at Institute for Defense Analyses (Alexandria, VA) in Apr 2026
Interview
3 rounds. HR Screen, virtual interview with a division manager, and a full-day in-person round. Each round was very conversational and relatively stress-free, including the in-person day. In-person interview had multiple blocks meeting with other Associates, Analysts, and Directors. Hardest part was the technical review section of the writing sample you submitted, but they were still nice. Overall positive experience, though I wish I had been informed of their decision more promptly – I had to reach out to HR to find out my standing.
Odd. Only one panel interview, no discussion about what research projects I’d be on. At the end of the panel interview the HR person showed me all the benefits IDA offers - which I was not interested in before getting an offer.