Research Intern - Korea Chair (Fall 2026)

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) invites interns to contribute to a Washington, DC policy research program focused on the Korean peninsula. The Korea Chair conducts independent research, convenes stakeholders in Washington and Seoul, and expands understanding of Korean policy issues for policymakers and the public.

Interns gain experience in professional writing, data collection, social media, and event planning, with two full-time positions and a preference for Korean

Qualifications

• Pursuing an undergraduate degree with junior status.
• GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Eligible to work in the United States.
• Korean language ability strongly preferred.
• Experience with data visualization and qualitative coding is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitor current events related to the Korean peninsula and write weekly policy issue briefs on topics such as unification planning, domestic politics, trade, and regional relations.
• Compile and code qualitative data on topics including North Korean provocations and media coverage for Korea Chair events.
• Create promotional content for the Korea Chair's social media channels.
• Gather, organize, and input data on infrastructure projects and primary source documents.
• Provide logistical and administrative support, including social media outreach and event statistics tracking.
• Assist in developing the Korea Chair's biweekly podcasts and related social media promotion.
• Assist in event planning, preparations, and staffing.
• Assist in background research for staff and writing for reports and conference materials.
• Assist in social media posting across Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter/X.

Skills

Geospatial analysis

Policy research

Social media management

Data collection

Writing and editing

Education

Undergraduate student (junior year)

GPA 3.5 or higher

Tools

Canva

Excel

Coding

Job description

Job Summary

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 decision makers 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 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

The Office of the Korea Chair is devoted to building an active policy research program in Washington, DC on the Korean peninsula. The CSIS Korea Chair conducts independent policy research on issues critical to the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Asia more broadly; convenes public and private sector stakeholders in Washington and Seoul; and advances a greater understanding of Korean policy issues to policymakers and the public at large. Korea Chair interns gain experience in the areas of professional writing development, policy‑research, data collection, social media and event planning. Due to our fast‑paced work environment, interns should be motivated self‑staters able to engage in a wide variety of logistical tasks, event management assistance, and research/writing work. We are hiring two full‑time interns. Only in extraordinary circumstances will part‑time interns be considered.

Intern Requirements

We are specifically looking for interns with experience or coursework in at least one of the following areas:

• Compiling and coding qualitative data
• Geospatial analysis (including ship and aircraft tracking)
• Conducting policy research
• Korean language ability is strongly preferred

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Monitor current events related to the Korean peninsula and write weekly policy issue briefs on topics including, but not limited to, unification planning, South Korean domestic politics, trade, & economics, the U.S.-Korea alliance, North Korea, and regional relations
• Compile and code qualitative data on topics including North Korean provocations, North Korea‑Russian cooperation, and media coverage for Korea Chair events and publications
• Create promotional and news‑related content for the Korea Chair's Twitter/X, Bluesky, Instagram, and Threads accounts
• Gather, organize, and input data on infrastructure projects and related primary source documents
• Provide logistical and administrative support, including social media outreach, contact database management and event statistics tracking
• Assist in developing the Korea Chair's biweekly podcasts, The Impossible State and The Capital Cable through social media promotion and brainstorming questions
• Assist in event planning, preparations, and staffing
• Assist in background research for staff
• Assist in research and writing for articles, conference reports, event summaries, grant proposals, and other such projects as dictated by program needs
• Assist in social media posting across Bluesky, Instagram and Twitter/X

Knowledge, Education, And Experience

• Excellent attention to detail, good organizational abilities, professional demeanor, general office skills and strong computer skills
• Have a demonstrated interest in the Korean peninsula and Asia
• Experience or coursework in compiling and coding qualitative data, designing data visualizations, and/or database management
• Good social media (Bluesky, Twitter/X, Threads & Instagram)
• Canva, Excel and coding skills preferred
• Possess strong writing and research skills
• Possess strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Possess good understanding of the research with and usage of primary sources
• Willingness to complete administrative and logistical tasks
• Ability to work independently as well as closely with a team with a strong work ethic
• Ability to manage competing priorities and multiple projects under tight deadlines
• Be at least a junior in an undergraduate degree program and have at least a 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent from a non-U.S. institution
• Eligible to work in the United States
• Ability to commit to working 35 hours per week
• Korean language ability strongly preferred

Salary Range

Salary Range : $18.40 USD - $20.40 USD

Physical Requirements And Work Conditions

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer.