Research Assistant: Foreign and Defense Policy; Defense Strategy and Great-Power Competition

Overview:

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person research assistant to join our Foreign and Defense Policy department, contributing to the Institute’s work on national security, defense strategy, and great-power competition by supporting senior fellow Hal Brands and Jeane Kirkpatrick fellow Kyle Balzer. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

Responsibilities include primary- and secondary-source investigations into great-power competition and Russian and Chinese policy, including researching historical events and tracking recent developments. Other duties include organizing private roundtables, conferences, panel discussions, and public events; overseeing long-term projects; and providing administrative support.

Applicants must have excellent writing, editing, fact checking, and research skills. The ideal candidate has a demonstrated interest in history, strategic studies, and military studies.

Qualified applicants should submit a resume, a cover letter, academic transcripts, and a 500-word writing sample with their online application.

Responsibilities:

• Provide research assistance to scholars, including primary- and secondary-source research, memo drafting, and data collection.

• Support research for a weekly blog focused on national security and defense issues.

• Assist with and coordinate short-term and major long-term research projects.

• Coordinate various activities and ensure proper communication between various AEI departments including Government Relations, Academic Programs, Development, and media relations.

• Manage logistics and administrative tasks, including tracking expenses, planning and staffing public-facing events, and organizing private meetings and roundtables.

• Manage long-term scholarly projects by drafting proposals and mapping timelines and regular progress reports for AEI management.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions at AEI

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close-up vision for computer work.

• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.

• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.

• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in history, international relations, political science, public policy, or a related field is required.

• Candidates should have 0–2 years of previous applicable full-time work experience; previous internship experience is strongly preferred.

• Well-rounded internship experience and a strong history background; no language requirement

• An honors thesis on a related topic or other long-form research experience (a plus)

• Strong writing and editing skills, excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines

• A background and interest in US national security, defense policy, and great-power competition

Benefits

AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and 3 personal/floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care FSA; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403b retirement plan with a 12% contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits here

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; as well as internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $50,000 - $54,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.