Research Internship

The internship provides a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of the research and policy development process of the national security field at a nonprofit organization in Washington, DC.  The internship will run from January – May 2016, with flexible start and end dates.

The interns will report primarily to the Research Associates and will take  part in policy analysis and development on key U.S. national security and foreign policy issues, crafting the messaging for the policies, and distributing the message to a wide variety of groups and individuals. The intern will also have the opportunity to develop their own work, or work with a staff member to publish a policy piece. Additionally, the interns will assist the administrative team as needed.

This is a great opportunity to interact with leaders in the progressive foreign policy community and gain hands on experience.  Additionally, the organization’s relationships with the progressive national security community will give the intern an opportunity to interact with a broader network of interns and experts.

Responsibilities of the research interns will include, but not limited to

• Researching and editing issue briefs, talking points, and policy documents
• Assisting with research projects and NSN’s daily messaging
• Attending and writing summaries of events, meetings, and hearings
• Providing support to the research team
• Tracking specific issue areas for ongoing projects
• Updating and maintaining the website
• Providing administrative support to the staff

Beyond completing their responsibilities, NSN encourages interns to take their own initiative to research and write on a subject of their choice.

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate students (especially juniors and seniors), recent graduates and graduate students with a degree or anticipated degree in international relations, public policy or related field (political science, history, journalism, etc.) are encouraged to apply.

• Strong writing and research skills
• Relevant research experience
• Ability to work both independently and as part of team
• Ability to work in fast paced and dynamic environment
• Flexibility to handle diverse tasks
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite
• Familiarity with Word Press and other online
• Related administrative experience
• Political experience is a plus

To get the most out of this internship experience, NSN is looking for individuals who are capable of self-motivation and working independently and in some cases with minimal direction.

Candidates should be able to work a minimum of 30 hours per week. A strong preference will be given to applicants who can commit to a minimum of 4 full-time work days a week.

To apply

To apply for the research internship with NSN, please submit the following materials to Nora Snee at nsnee@nsnetwork.org by Friday, December 4, 2015. The subject line should include your name and the internship and internship period for which you are applying.

• Cover letter, including your availability (hours per week and approximate start and end dates)
• Resume
• Short writing sample (2-3 pages) on a policy topic you are interested in, and relates to NSN’s work

Please note that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and that we encourage candidates to submit their applications before the suggested deadline. Only those candidates selected for a phone interview will be contacted. Please note that all while all internship positions are unpaid, there is a unique opportunity to attend high-powered national security and networking events on the Hill and throughout Washington.