Japan Chair Intern

Job Description

About the Company: The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

CSIS is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962. Its core mission is to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision-makers focused on global security and prosperity.

Over the years, CSIS has grown significantly, becoming one of the largest organizations of its kind. It boasts a staff of approximately 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts who address the evolving dynamics of international security worldwide.

CSIS is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and operates as a bipartisan, nonprofit organization. It employs 220 full-time staff (as per the “About Us” section, while “Job Summary” states 275 employees) and leverages a large network of affiliated scholars to conduct research and analysis, and develop policy initiatives that are forward-looking and anticipate change.

CSIS is an equal opportunity employer, committed to non-discrimination in employment selection and decisions based on protected characteristics such as sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, and color.

About the Japan Chair:
The Japan Chair within CSIS was established as a dedicated platform in Washington for the study of U.S.-Japan relations and to foster mutual understanding between the two nations. Recognizing Japan’s expanding influence in regional and global affairs, the Japan Chair is charting a new course to define a strategic agenda for the U.S.-Japan relationship within bilateral, regional, and global contexts. Its current research agenda is comprehensive, covering themes such as:
• Japanese domestic politics and foreign policy
• U.S.-Japan security and economic ties
• U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific region

Job Description: Japan Chair Intern

This role is for an intern to directly support the Japan Chair at CSIS.

Compensation:
The intern will be paid hourly, with rates varying based on educational attainment:
• $18.00/hour for current undergraduate hires
• $19.00/hour for hires with a bachelor’s degree
• $20.00/hour for hires with a master’s degree

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern’s primary responsibilities include:
• Conducting research on key issues related to Japanese politics, U.S.-Japan relations, and U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific.
• Drafting various materials such as research memos, presentations, reports, and event summaries for program staff.
• Providing logistical and administrative support for program events and ongoing research projects.
• Performing other general tasks necessary to support office functions.

Knowledge, Education, and Experience Requirements:
Candidates must meet the following qualifications:
• Must be at least a college junior, graduate student, or recent graduate.
• Academic background in Japan studies, International Affairs, or Political Science is required, with a demonstrated interest in the Indo-Pacific region.
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited U.S. institution, or an equivalent from a non-U.S. institution.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Possess strong communication, research, and writing skills.
• Demonstrated familiarity with Japanese foreign/defense policy and U.S.-Japan relations.
• Ability to conduct research using Japanese original sources is essential.
• Must be capable of working both independently and within a team.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and multiple projects under tight deadlines.

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions:
The role is based in an office environment, and the physical demands are typical for such a setting. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for individuals with disabilities. The noise level is generally moderate.

Application Process:
Interested applicants are required to submit the following documents:
• A cover letter
• A résumé
• Academic transcripts
• A short writing sample

All application materials must be submitted through the CSIS career portal at https://careers.csis.org. The application deadline is August 11, 2025. Applicants will be redirected to a secure recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button.