Intern - Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program (Summer 2026)
JOB SUMMARY:
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 250 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.
The CSIS Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism (WITT) Program seeks candidates for a full-time (35 hours per week), three-month (with the possibility of extension to six-month) internship beginning in summer 2026.
To learn more about the WITT Program, please visit: https://www.csis.org/programs/warfare-irregular-threats-and-terrorism-program.
The ideal candidate for this job thrives in a fast-paced environment, is highly organized, and enjoys a wide variety of research, analytic, and logistics work. Interns will gain first-hand experience in public policy and national security by assisting in research tasks, event planning and execution, and general administrative support. Interns also participate in professional development activities.
The hired candidate will be paid hourly, commensurate with experience ($18.00/hour for current undergraduate hires, $19.00/hour for hires with a bachelor’s degree, and $20.00/hour for hires with a master’s degree).
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential functions include but are not limited to the following:
• Conducting qualitative and quantitative research to analyze terrorist and non-state actor group activity as well as irregular and conventional military activity by U.S. competitors like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
• Using cutting-edge research methods to support written analysis, including but not limited to creating original maps, analyzing satellite imagery, and building original datasets.
• Creating, maintaining, and utilizing datasets to perform data analysis and create data visualizations.
• Preparing detailed background briefs on a broad range of security issues for research staff.
• Provide scheduling support to coordinate calls, in-person and virtual meetings, and travel for events and projects.
• Assist in all aspects of event planning and logistics, including for public and private panels and conferences.
• Assist in the publications process, including liaising with the CSIS Dracopoulos iDeas Lab, drafting webpage language, and assisting in social media promotion.
• Other similar duties as needed.
KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:
• Completed (or near-completed) bachelor’s degree.
• 0-2 years of relevant work experience (including internships).
• Prior academic or professional experience conducting research on terrorism, irregular warfare, and/or the military activities of U.S. competitors.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Demonstrated success working in collaborative team environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously under strict deadlines.
• Availability to work full-time (35 hours a week) starting in summer 2026.
Highly competitive candidates typically have one or more of the following experiences:
• In pursuit of a master’s degree.
• 1-3 years of experience in a professional office environment.
• Quantitative data research experience, including creating, maintaining, and analyzing large Excel spreadsheets.
• Familiarity with databases such as Janes Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), or ADL Hate, Extremism, Antisemitism, Terrorism (H.E.A.T.) Map.
• Creating and manipulating geodatabases, including working with QGIS, CARTO, Mapbox, Google Earth, and other open-source mapping platforms.
• Experience copyediting and reviewing long-form (10-50 pages) written products such as commentaries, op-eds, and reports.
• Overseas travel or academic/professional experience in Africa, Asia, Europe, or the Middle East.
• Language proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Arabic, Farsi, Korean, French, Mandarin, Russian, or Ukrainian.
All candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. Foreign nationals must have employment authorization, as CSIS does not sponsor visas for interns.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please note that all application instructions must be closely followed, otherwise your application will be rejected. Interested applicants should submit the following as separate PDFs through the CSIS online portal: resume, cover letter, college transcripts (official or unofficial).
The hiring committee will invite a subset of applicants to take a short test of their writing and quantitative skills. The hiring committee will then select applicants for interviews from that subset.
Required Skills
Required Experience