The Young Professionals Programme (YPP)

In a more dangerous and competitive security environment, NATO continues to do everything that is needed to keep one billion people across Europe and North America safe. We are strengthening our defences, responding swiftly and decisively to threats to our security, and working together – as allies and partners – to protect our freedom and shared interests.

We are launching an accelerator for your international career – the fourth cycle of our Young Professionals Programme (YPP). Through this global three-year programme, you will experience the frontline of a political and military alliance and start a journey of personal and professional development in a diverse and inclusive work environment. Together, we will ensure NATO continues to:

• respond with unity, strength and resolve to growing dangers to our security across the Euro-Atlantic area and in all domains – land, sea, air, space and cyberspace;

• build stronger defences by investing more in defence and accelerating defence production and innovation;

• harness new technologies for our security, and stay ahead in cutting-edge domains such as cyber and space;

• leverage partnerships, including with the European Union, individual countries and the private sector, to protect our freedom and shared interests; and

• contribute to fighting terrorism and rampant instability in NATO’s southern neighbourhood.

Do you want to make a difference and help protect close to one billion people across 32 NATO member states, including your own? If you are ready to take on this challenge, and are a national of a NATO member state, hold a Master’s degree and have at least one year of work experience, then apply for the YPP.

With you, we are stronger.

#WeAreNATO

Your role

During the three years of the programme, you will be assigned to three different NATO bodies:

Year

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

NATO body

Allied Command Operations – Allied Air Command (HQ AIRCOM) (ACO/AIRCOM)

Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT)

Allied Command Operations – Joint Force Command Brunssum (ACO/JFCBS)

Work area

Operations Research & Analysis

Innovation & Emerging Technologies

Operations Research & Analysis

Placement

Ramstein, Germany

Norfolk, United States of America

Brunssum, The Netherlands

For more information, please see the path narrative here. You can also find more information about the NATO bodies here & the NATO Young Professionals Programme here.

This is an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and skills in the broader area of Artificial Intelligence & Operations Research & Analysis. As you gain experience, you will be given increasing responsibilities, such as:

• Conduct operational analysis/operations research activities for current/future operations and significant capability development programmes, selecting appropriate techniques to deliver analysis reports and presentations to support decision making;
• Work on data science projects that contribute to better decision-making in multi-domain military operations; 
• Developing, implementing and promoting the use of data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in support of NATO policy development and NATO’s digital transformation;
• Design, prototype, and validate statistical and machine learning models that provide objective, reproducible solutions to complex operational problems (e.g., threat prediction, resource allocation, and risk assessment);
• Working on data fusion and analysis for the extrapolation of data sets to contribute to the decision-making process with respect to complex and interrelated programmes;
• Researching and employing research and analysis techniques (e.g. modelling, simulation, war gaming, Analyses of Alternatives);
• Supporting the development of joint analysis of operations, training, exercises and experiments, based on technical requirements defined within the NATO enterprise;
• Conducting information flow analysis within NATO Command and Force Structure elements to determine information exchange and subsequent interoperability requirements;
• Doing analyses to support NATO’s Defence Planning Process;
• Developing and implementing data-mining and data-warehousing programs;
• Programming custom data-analysis and mining programs for using NATO data; and
• Researching new trends within the areas of responsibilities of data science and Operations and Research.

Who we are looking for

The changing pace of the world demands that NATO and its people remain flexible, eager to learn and able to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. For a YPP position, we are looking for candidates with at least one year of professional experience.

For the YPP, Artificial Intelligence & Operations Research & Analysis path, we are generally interested in the following educational backgrounds:

• A Master’s degree in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) or in a scientific discipline including at least one statistics-based module;

• Any other degree that you believe can be useful to the area of Data Science, Artificial Intelligence & Operations Research and Analysis – let us know how your knowledge and skills can be applied!

Any of the following experience or skills would be considered as an asset:

• Academic knowledge or professional experience in the fields of data science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Operations Research and Analysis or related computational disciplines.

• Understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science, including but not limited to technology and policy matters, particularly as applicable to security and defence;

• Experience of applying mathematical and/or statistical techniques to complex problems in support of research or technology studies;

• Ability to apply standard Operational Research techniques to include statistical analysis, mathematical modelling, simulation, linear programming and other analytical techniques.

• Proven experience in  end-to-end data science projects, from proof-of-concept to deployment.

• Experience of conducting an independent research/analysis project delivering a research/analysis report, ideally in a team and in a workplace context

• Genuine interest in Technology Innovation topics in international and multi-disciplinary contexts;

• Experience with at least one data analysis tool (such as Power BI, MATLAB, KNIME, Python), preferably in the context of a project;

• Experience with Natural Language Processing, machine learning engineering, or computer vision;

• Experience with DBMS (e.g. MSSQL) and knowledge of SQL;

• Knowledge of and experience in applying data-mining techniques,

• Experience with project management and project-management tools;

• Interest or previous experience of working or conducting studies within military organizations;

• Curiosity and self-motivation to explore new methodologies and tools relevant to military and civil-military contexts.

• Knowledge of NATO, its agenda, policies, military posture, and/or partnerships;

• Prior professional experience or internship with other international organizations, national administrations, or the research or tech industries;

• Any additional training/certification(s) related to AI/ML, Data science or Operations Research and Analysis and emerging technologies and project or program-management certification;

• A curious and innovative mindset;

• Strong analytical and drafting skills;

• Proactivity, a can-do attitude and a willingness to learn and share information; and,

• Teamwork, excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills.

What we offer

NATO will offer the Young Professionals:

• An experience of a lifetime at the forefront of an international organization where you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills and expand your professional network;

• A diverse and stimulating work and personal experience where you will be assigned to three different NATO bodies around the globe, one each year; and,

• A competitive salary and other benefits, including excellent health insurance and a generous annual leave package of 30 days

Are you interested in being part of NATO and the YPP?  Apply by 31 May 2026 [23:59 – Brussels time]

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (link);

• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment

Please note that at the time of the interviews, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of their education and professional experience as relevant for this vacancy.

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser.

More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (https://www.nato.int/en/work-with-us/careers).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations, and strongly encourages women to apply.

Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.

The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours.