Research Assistant - Aerospace Security Project

Role Overview

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. The CSIS Aerospace Security Project (ASP) is seeking a Research Assistant - Aerospace Security Project to provide research and analysis support on the policy and technology issues shaping the future of aerospace security. This full-time position supports all aspects of the project’s activity. Candidates should be flexible and enjoy a wide variety of analytic work due to the fast-paced work environment.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Research, Writing, & Editing (80%)

• Contributes to the program’s research agenda through analysis and writing, particularly on space security; commercial and civil space; and air power and cross domain integration.
• Compiles, maintains, and interprets datasets.
• Assists with data collection, management, and visualizations.
• Provides copyediting support for written publications.

Office Administration & Management (20%)

• Supports logistics for program events including meetings, briefings, roundtables, public events, and conferences.
• Assists external communications, including event invitations, for ASP events, projects, newsletters, and publications.
• Supports outreach campaigns across platforms to promote ASP events, reports, and other commentary.
• Assists with conceptualizing new project ideas.
• Assists with other administrative tasks as needed.

Knowledge, Education, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Must have at least a 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent from a non-U.S. institution.
• Strong communication, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and multiple responsibilities under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively.
• Demonstrated interest on space domain issues such as air dominance, cislunar activities, international space policy, space sustainability, space security, U.S. Space Force strategy and missions, and more.
• Experience in graphic design or illustrating software such as Canva is a plus.

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.

Key skills/competency

• Policy Analysis
• Space Security
• Air Power
• Data Collection
• Research Writing
• Editing
• Event Logistics
• Communications Strategy
• Outreach Campaigns
• Project Management