Intern - Aerospace Security Project (Summer 2025)

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decisionmakers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 200 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

The CSIS Aerospace Security Project (ASP) focuses on issues related to space security, air dominance and long-range strike, and commercial and civil space. ASP is seeking a research intern for our air and space research portfolios. The internship will support the Aerospace Security Project with administrative and research needs. The internship will be paid an hourly wage, compliant with DC minimum wage, dependent on education-level and experience. There is the possibility for the position to be virtual or in person in Washington, D.C. The research internship will focus on the Project's Space Security, Civil and Commercial Space, and Air Dominance and Cross Domain Integration portfolios. Particular topic areas include, but are not limited to: international space policy, commercial launch activities, the aerospace industrial base, counterspace weapons, military space strategy and organization, space situational awareness, and space policy and regulations

The hired candidate will be paid hourly, commensurate with experience ($17.50/hour for current undergraduate hires, $18.50/hour for hires with a bachelor's degree, and $19.50/hour for hires with a master's degree).

Essential functions and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

RESEARCH AND WRITING (60%)

* Conduct literature reviews, and compile and analyze data for ongoing research projects.

* Provide other research, writing, and editing support for various reports and documents.

* Support written products through background research, copy-editing, and editing

citations as necessary.

* Collaborate with and support multiple staff members on different research projects on

topics ranging from air dominance, cislunar activities, international space policy, space

sustainability, space security, U.S. Space Force strategy and missions, and more.

* Draft outreach and promotional content.

* Discover, clean, organize, and analyze various data sources, such as Department of

Defense or NASA budget data, space launch data, satellite telemetry data, finance and

investment projections, or counterspace weapons data.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES (40%)

* Support content on LinkedIn, the CSIS website, and Aerospace Security

(aerospace.csis.org).

* Assist in preparation for meetings, private and public events, and conferences.

* Virtually attend meetings and events to take notes on various topics related to

international development in addition to other forms of event support.

* Tracking relevant legislation and public announcements in the aerospace sector

* Perform ad hoc requests and other duties as necessary in support of staff members.

* Either currently enrolled in a PhD, master's or bachelor's program; or has recently

graduated with a B.A., B.S., M.A., PhD or equivalent;

* Interest or experience in aerospace, space science, defense, or national security;

* Excellent record in an academic and research environment;

* Demonstrated the ability to take detailed notes during meetings in an effective manner.

* Demonstrated professional communication skills in conversation with colleagues and

high-level stakeholders and be able to communicate ideas clearly in various written

formats.

* Outstanding attention to detail; proven ability to advance research projects with

hands-off supervision while being accountable for the accuracy of outputs.

* Strong writing, editing, communication, and time management skills;

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.

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter at https://careers.csis.org/. The application will close on March 31st.