Research Intern (Spring 2025)

The Center for the National Interest is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Intern for the Spring 2025 semester to support a senior fellow’s work on tracking the collaboration and policy coordination between Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, as well as issues that potentially divide them. This internship provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in foreign policy research, with a focus on geopolitical competition. Interns will primarily contribute to the CRANKs Newsletter, the Center’s monthly publication tracking these nations’ complex relationships.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor media sources for developments in coordination between Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.
• Collect and organize relevant articles, links, and other resources on assigned topics.
• Write concise summaries of key findings under the supervision of the senior fellow.
• Contribute to the research and production of the Center’s CRANKs Newsletter.
• Assist with other research or administrative tasks as needed to support the senior fellow’s work.

Qualifications:

• Current undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in international relations, political science, regional studies, or a related field.
• Strong research and writing skills, with an ability to synthesize complex information clearly and succinctly.
• Interest in and familiarity with the politics and policies of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.
• Proficiency in one or more relevant languages (Korean, Russian, Farsi, or Chinese) is highly desirable but not required.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Availability to commit approximately 15 hours per week.
• Availability for hybrid work—with some in-person meetings at our Washington, DC office—is strongly preferred, but fully remote candidates will also be considered.

Interested candidates should submit the following materials to Greg Priddy at gpriddy@cftni.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

1. A resume or CV highlighting relevant experience and skills.
2. A brief cover letter detailing your interest in the internship and relevant background.
3. A writing sample (3-5 pages) demonstrating analytical and writing ability, preferably on a topic related to international relations or foreign policy.

This is an unpaid internship; academic credit may be arranged with your institution.