Research Internship, African Affairs, Fall 2026

Nationalfcr; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; Full time

Job description

Description

Hudson Institute seeks interns looking to gain experience researching great power competition in Africa—specifically in relation to Chinese development in the region. This intern will provide research and administrative support to the African Affairs 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. The fall internship program will run from August 24 to December 4.

About Hudson Institute

Hudson Institute is a research‑focused public policy think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., 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.

Responsibilities

• Gathering and analyzing primary source data for inclusion in reports and articles.
• Keeping the expert and team up to date on current events.
• Assisting the expert with research projects and presentations.
• Assisting with articles, op‑ed's, reports, and briefing memos.
• Assisting with administrative tasks and event support.

Requirements

• Candidates should be recent graduates or current students working towards a degree in political science, international relations, economics, security studies, African affairs, or related fields.
• Candidates should show a demonstrated interest in African affairs, as well as the relationship between China and Africa.
• 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 analytical skills, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Candidates should be proficient in all Microsoft Office applications.
• There is a preference for in-person work for this position. Please indicate if you intend to work in‑person or in a hybrid capacity in your cover letter.
• Especially interested in candidates with Chinese or French language skills.

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.