Research Associate, Technology and National Security

Overview

Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a leading nonprofit membership organization, research center, and publisher, with headquarters in New York, an office in Washington, DC, and programs nationwide. It is dedicated to increasing America's understanding of the world and contributing ideas to U.S. foreign policy. CFR's 5,000+ members are leaders in international affairs and foreign policy. CFR also publishes Foreign Affairs, the preeminent magazine on global issues, and provides up-to-date information about the world and U.S. foreign policy on its award-winning website, CFR.org. 

CFR’s David Rockefeller Studies Program is one of the country’s largest foreign policy think tanks with a widely respected and influential research staff. The Studies Program aims to advance the discussion of American foreign policy and international affairs through its writing, publications, public outreach, and discussions. As part of the Studies Program, the research associate will support the work of the senior fellow for technology and national security.

This full-time position is based in CFR’s Washington, D.C. office on a hybrid basis. CFR currently defines hybrid status as working at least three days a week onsite, with Tuesdays and Thursdays considered institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite.

The major responsibilities of this position will include (but are not limited to):

• Monitoring ongoing developments in technology and national security and researching specific areas as requested by the fellow.
• Providing administrative support to the fellow, including handling correspondence and responding to media requests.
• Coordinating events, including preparing invitations, making travel arrangements, scheduling, corresponding with speakers and presiders, helping to prepare background papers and materials for distribution, and providing other logistical support.
• Completing writing assignments, including summaries of research findings and business writing, as well as assisting with the editing, formatting, and preparation of presentations, reports, and other publications.
• Assisting in managing program finances, including preparing budgets and tracking monthly statements, monitoring grant information and writing reports and requests, creating and updating Excel spreadsheets, and preparing vouchers for reimbursement.
• Assisting the fellow with social media outreach, including publishing a blog, website, video, and/or using social media applications as needed.
• Providing support across departmental lines and for other fellows, upon request.

Qualifications

Education

• Degree international relations or a related field with demonstrated high academic credentials
• Advanced degree a plus

Experience

• 1+ years related internship and administrative experience

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Familiarity with technology and national security topics.
• Excellent research skills and experience
• Strong writing skills and the ability to effectively proofread and edit
• Highly organized with the proven ability to meet deadlines
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Outlook
• Experience with budget management and/or website maintenance preferred

Required Application Materials

Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position.

Compensation and Benefits

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $55,000 – $58,000, depending on experience.
• In addition to competitive salaries, CFR provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

About CFR

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is committed to fostering a foreign policy community in the United States that is more representative of American society, recognizing that diverse backgrounds and perspectives contribute to broader, more informed participation in the foreign policy debate and lead to an enhanced understanding of the world and the United States’ role therein. To that end, CFR is dedicated to continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its work and workplace by building a more diverse membership and staff, producing and dispensing thoughtful analysis on a broad range of foreign policy issues, and developing relevant, wide-reaching programming that also serves to expand the foreign policy talent pipeline to underrepresented populations.