Research Internship, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology, Summer 2026

Description

Hudson Institute is seeking interns looking to gain experience in research focused on future warfare dynamics and assessment of military decision-making through wargames, models, and simulations. This intern will provide front-end web-based application development, research, and administrative support to the Defense Concepts and Technology team. In addition to being exposed to critical issues in the aforementioned subject areas, interns will spend significant time discussing these issues with their expert(s). Those who work onsite will also have the opportunity to assist with, and attend, Hudson Institute public events, as well as intern-specific events featuring Hudson scholars and experts across Washington, DC. This internship provides a $3,000 stipend. 

About Hudson Institute

Hudson Institute is a research-focused public policy think tank headquartered in Washington, DC, dedicated to promoting American leadership for a secure, free, and prosperous future. For more than half a century, Hudson Institute has been challenging conventional thinking by developing new ideas and practical solutions to shape critical foreign and domestic policy decisions.

Three different areas of potential responsibility: 

• One intern will assess--through modeling and simulation-- the characteristics and performance of new classes of space weapons. This intern will also peruse archival and contemporary material related to the new classes of space weapons. Lastly, this intern will prepare materials for wargames with US and allied participants.
• One intern will develop wargame tools for use in wargames with US and allied participants. This intern will also help assess new operational concepts and capabilities and their impacts on US and allied force design.
• One intern will assess People's Liberation Army trends in a warfare area. 

How to Apply:

Please upload a cover letter, resume, and short, relevant writing sample (2-3 pages) in a single PDF to the cover letter file upload. Please title the document "First, Last Application" (e.g. Jane Doe Application). Those who do not submit a writing sample will be disqualified.    

Due to the large number of applications that we receive, we regret that we can only contact those applicants who have been selected for an interview.

Requirements

• Candidates should be recent graduates or current students working towards a degree in security studies, defense studies, computer science, astrophysics, aerospace engineering, or a related field. 
• Candidates should have a demonstrated interest in U.S. security and defense strategy. 
• Candidates should be able to work independently, manage their time wisely, and meet deadlines.
• Candidates should be detail-focused, reliable, professional, and possess strong research, writing, editing, and analysis skills, as well as excellent communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Candidates should be proficient in all Microsoft Office applications.
• Candidates must be able to work a minimum of 20 hours per week. 
• Strong candidates will have one or some of the following skills: math, programming, astrophysics, orbital mechanics, aerospace engineering, Mandarin language, or Japanese language. 
• Remote work is not an option for this position. Please indicate that you intend to work in-person in your cover letter.