Korea Chair Intern

Job Description

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

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 employs approximately 275 staff members, including more than 120 analysts dedicated to addressing the evolving dynamics of international security worldwide. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CSIS conducts research and analysis, and develops policy initiatives with a forward-looking perspective. The organization is committed to being an equal opportunity employer, ensuring employment selections are made without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.

Job Description: Korea Chair Intern

This is a job description for a full-time intern position within the Office of the Korea Chair at CSIS, with two positions available for the Fall 2025 internship period.

The Office of the Korea Chair is dedicated to developing an active policy research program focused on the Korean peninsula in Washington, D.C. It conducts independent policy research on issues vital to the United States, the Republic of Korea, and the broader Asian region. The office also convenes public and private sector stakeholders in Washington and Seoul and works to enhance understanding of Korean policy issues among policymakers and the general public.

Internship Focus:
The Fall 2025 internship will primarily involve work for the Korea Chair and its specific project, “Beyond Parallel: Bringing Transparency and Understanding to Korea” (http://beyondparallel.csis.org/).

Work Environment:
The Korea Chair operates in a fast-paced work environment. Interns are expected to be motivated self-starters capable of engaging in a wide variety of logistical tasks, event management assistance, and research/writing work.

Compensation:
Interns are 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 core functions of this role include, but are not limited to:
• Compiling and coding qualitative data.
• Contributing to the development and management of databases for the “Beyond Parallel” project.
• Gathering, organizing, and inputting data related to infrastructure projects and associated primary source documents.
• Monitoring current events concerning the Korean peninsula and drafting weekly policy issue briefs on various topics, such as unification planning, South Korean domestic politics, trade & economics, the U.S.-Korea alliance, North Korea, and regional relations.
• Providing logistical and administrative support, including social media outreach and contact database management.
• Assisting with event planning, preparations, and staffing.
• Supporting staff with spot and background research.
• Assisting in research and writing for articles, conference reports, event summaries, grant proposals, and other projects as required by program needs.

Specific Skills and Experience Preferred:
The program is specifically looking for interns with experience or coursework in at least one of the following areas:
• Compiling and coding qualitative data.
• Mapping and satellite imagery.
• Korean or Chinese language abilities (strongly preferred).

Required Knowledge, Education, and Experience:
Candidates for this position should possess:
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational abilities.
• A professional demeanor and general office skills, coupled with strong computer skills.
• A demonstrated interest in the Korean peninsula and Asia.
• Experience or coursework in compiling and coding qualitative data.
• A background in mapping and satellite imagery.
• Proficiency in social media platforms (Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram), Photoshop, Canva, Excel, and coding skills (preferred).
• Strong writing and research skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• A good understanding of researching with and utilizing primary sources.
• A willingness to complete administrative and logistical tasks.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team, demonstrating a strong work ethic.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Must be at least a junior in an undergraduate degree program with a minimum 3.0 GPA (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.
• Must be able to commit to working 35 hours per week.
• Korean or Chinese language abilities are strongly preferred.

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 made for individuals with disabilities. The noise level is generally moderate.

Application Process:
Interested applicants should submit a résumé, cover letter, and college transcript through the CSIS careers portal at https://careers.csis.org. The cover letter should specifically indicate which of the preferred skill sets (qualitative data, mapping/satellite imagery, Korean/Chinese language) the applicant possesses.