Dr. James C. Petrosky is the President of the National Institute for Deterrence Studies (NIDS). He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Engineering Physics where he developed experimental techniques for the prediction of damage to electronic devices and materials. He has a substantial technical expertise in pulsed radiation effects and nuclear weapon survivability, with an emphasis on radiation effects on electronics and electromagnetic pulse. 

As President of NIDS, Dr. Petrosky is responsible for the overall operation, mission, and vision of the organization. His primary focus is on developing and achieving strategic objectives aligned with the NIDS mission and sponsors, and assessing and managing the manpower needs. 

Previously, Dr. Petrosky served at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) where he achieved the academic rank of Professor of Nuclear Engineering. At AFIT he sustained an ABET accredited Nuclear Engineering program serving the unique military and civilian advanced education requirements for the DoD. His research included multiple efforts for advanced electronics and materials survivability spanning nuclear weapon diagnostics, debris analysis, electronic and material response, and nuclear effects.  He established a $1.2M materials characterization laboratory suite with unique actinide materials analysis capabilities. 

Dr. Petrosky has demonstrated leadership at the National level by providing expertise to 4 committees reviewing development of nuclear modernization and qualification efforts including serving 14 years as an external review committee chair. Additionally, he established and directed an AFIT level center with $2.4M in external research support for developing national security technical expertise and developing the next generation of scientists and engineers needed for the nuclear modernization effort. 

Dr. Petrosky has published in 103 public and 18 government classified peer-reviewed journals. He retired from the U.S. Army in 2004 as a Lieutenant Colonel, after serving as an Engineer Officer and Nuclear Research Officer. 

Googe Scholar Publications

Positions held 

• President and Co-Founder, National Institute for Deterrence Studies 
• Director, Nuclear Expertise for Advancing Technologies Center (AFIT) 
• Chair, Nuclear Engineering Program (AFIT) 
• Associate Department Head, Engineering Physics (AFIT) 
• Deputy Department Head, Engineering Physics (AFIT) 
• Radiation Safety Officer (AFIT) 
• Nuclear Research Officer, Defense Threat Reduction Agency 
• Engineer Officer, United States Army
  

Contact: jPetrosky@thinkdeterrence.com