Back Intern - Aerospace Security Project (Spring 2025)

At CSIS we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.   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 200 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.   The CSIS Aerospace Security Project (ASP) focuses on issues related to space security, air dominance and long-range strike, and commercial and civil space. ASP is seeking a research intern for our air and space research portfolios. The internship will support the Aerospace Security Project with administrative and research needs. The internship will be paid an hourly wage, compliant with DC minimum wage, dependent on education-level and experience. There is the possibility for the position to be virtual or in person in Washington, D.C.   The research internship will focus on the Project’s Space Security, Civil and Commercial Space, and Air Dominance and Cross Domain Integration portfolios. Particular topic areas include, but are not limited to: international space policy, commercial launch activities, the aerospace industrial base, counterspace weapons, military space strategy and organization, space situational awareness, and space policy and regulations.    ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:   RESEARCH AND WRITING (60%)

•Conduct literature reviews, and compile and analyze data for ongoing research projects.

•Provide other research, writing, and editing support for various reports and documents.

•Support written products through background research, copy-editing, and editing citations as necessary.

•Collaborate with and support multiple staff members on different research projects on topics ranging from air dominance, cislunar activities, international space policy, space sustainability, space security, U.S. Space Force strategy and missions, and more.

•Draft outreach and promotional content.

•Discover, clean, organize, and analyze various data sources, such as Department of Defense or NASA budget data, space launch data, satellite telemetry data, finance and investment projections, or counterspace weapons data. 

•Support content on Twitter, the CSIS website, and Aerospace Security (aerospace.csis.org) 

•Assist in preparation for meetings, private and public events, and conferences.

•Virtually attend meetings and events to take notes on various topics related to international development in addition to other forms of event support.

•Tracking relevant legislation and public announcements in the aerospace sector

•Perform ad hoc requests and other duties as necessary in support of staff members. 

•Either currently enrolled in a PhD, master’s or bachelor’s program; or has recently graduated with a B.A., B.S., M.A., PhD or equivalent;

•Interest or experience in aerospace, space science, defense, or national security;

•Excellent record in an academic and research environment;

•Demonstrated the ability to take detailed notes during meetings in an effective manner.

•Demonstrated professional communication skills in conversation with colleagues and high-level stakeholders and be able to communicate ideas clearly in various written formats.

•Outstanding attention to detail; proven ability to advance research projects with hands-off supervision while being accountable for the accuracy of outputs.

•Strong writing, editing, communication, and time management skills;