Intern - Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program (Fall 2026)

The CSIS Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism (WITT) Program seeks candidates for a full-time (35 hours per week), three-month (with the possibility of extension to six-month) internship beginning in late summer or early fall 2026. The intern will be paid an hourly rate commensurate with experience ($18.40/hour for current undergraduate hires, $19.40/hour for hires with a bachelor’s degree, and $20.40/hour for hires with a master’s degree).

To learn more about the WITT Program, please visit: https://www.csis.org/programs/warfare-irregular-threats-and-terrorism-program

The ideal candidate for this job thrives in a fast-paced environment, is highly organized, and enjoys a wide variety of research, analytic, and logistics work. Interns will gain first-hand experience in public policy and national security by assisting in research tasks, event planning and execution, and general administrative support. Interns also participate in professional development activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducting qualitative and quantitative research to analyze terrorist and non-state actor group activity as well as irregular and conventional military activity by U.S. competitors like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
• Using cutting-edge research methods to support written analysis, including but not limited to creating original maps, analyzing satellite imagery, and building original datasets.
• Creating, maintaining, and utilizing datasets to perform data analysis and create data visualizations.
• Preparing detailed background briefs on a broad range of security issues for research staff.
• Provide scheduling support to coordinate calls, in-person and virtual meetings, and travel for events and projects.
• Assist in all aspects of event planning and logistics, including for public and private panels and conferences.
• Assist in the publications process, including liaising with the CSIS Dracopoulos iDeas Lab, drafting webpage language, and assisting in social media promotion.
• Other similar duties as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE

The position requires the following skills and experience:

• Completed (or near-completed) bachelor’s degree.
• 0-2 years of relevant work experience (including internships).
• Prior academic or professional experience conducting research on terrorism, irregular warfare, and/or the military activities of U.S. competitors.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Demonstrated success working in collaborative team environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously under strict deadlines.
• Availability to work full-time (35 hours a week) starting in later summer or early fall 2026.

Highly competitive candidates typically have one or more of the following experiences:

• In pursuit of a master’s degree.
• 1-3 years of experience in a professional office environment.
• Quantitative data research experience, including creating, maintaining, and analyzing large Excel spreadsheets.
• Familiarity with databases such as Janes Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), or ADL Hate, Extremism, Antisemitism, Terrorism (H.E.A.T.) Map.
• Creating and manipulating geodatabases, including working with QGIS, CARTO, Mapbox, Google Earth, and other open-source mapping platforms.
• Experience copyediting and reviewing long-form (10-50 pages) written products such as commentaries, op-eds, and reports.
• Overseas travel or academic/professional experience in Africa, Asia, Europe, or the Middle East.
• Language proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Arabic, Farsi, Korean, French, Mandarin, Russian, or Ukrainian.

All candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. Foreign nationals must have employment authorization, as CSIS does not sponsor visas for interns.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please note that all application instructions must be closely followed, otherwise your application will be rejected. Interested applicants should submit the following as separate PDFs through the CSIS online portal: resume, cover letter, college transcripts (official or unofficial).

The hiring committee will invite a subset of applicants to take a short test of their writing and quantitative skills. The hiring committee will then select applicants for interviews from that subset.