Researcher, Space

University of Denver; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Meridian's Center for Technology, Innovation, and Space seeks a Researcher to create the first U.S. Space Partnership Guide. The 11-month role involves shaping strategy, conducting interviews with government and industry, and delivering an open-access, practical resource for global and U.S. audiences.

The position is located in Washington D.C. with partial remote work possible; MD/DC/VA residence is required. The role may include limited additional writing and program support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred in related field.
• Demonstrated experience researching and writing substantive published products.
• Strong writing, editing, and interviewing abilities with attention to sourcing.

Responsibilities

• Define the guide's purpose, audience, scope, structure, and milestones through publication.
• Develop a framework for organizing partnership pathways across the U.S. space ecosystem.
• Plan and conduct interviews with government officials, industry, universities, and researchers.
• Attend space conferences to gather insights and expand the contributor network.
• Maintain a research library and source attribution for every claim.
• Write and edit the U.S. Space Partnership Guide for international and U.S. audiences.
• Coordinate with communications and design teams for digital/print versions.
• Draft other space-related content and support program activities as needed.

Skills

Writing & editing

Interviewing

Project management

Intercultural communication

Nonpartisan approach

Education

Bachelor's degree required

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

EndNote

Salesforce

Canva

Job description

Summary of Position

The Researcher, Space is a temporary, 11-month position within Meridian’s Center for Technology, Innovation, and Space (TIS). The position’s principal responsibility is to research, write, and deliver the first U.S. Space Partnership Guide. The guide will be a practical, open-access resource that helps governments, companies, universities, research institutions, startups, investors, and civil society outside the United States understand how to collaborate with the American space ecosystem. Working alongside the Vice President, Open Diplomacy Programs/Director of the Space Diplomacy Initiative, the Researcher will help shape the guide’s strategy and framework and carry the project from concept through publication. As capacity allows, the Researcher may also contribute other written space content for TIS and provide limited support to Space Diplomacy Initiative programming and business development.

This position is located in Washington D.C. and Meridian requires MD, DC, or VA residence for all employees. The position may work partially remotely until further notice.

Requirements

Position Responsibilities

U.S. Space Partnership Guide - Strategy & Framework (Primary Focus)

• Work with the Vice President/Director to define the guide’s purpose, audiences, scope, structure, and methodology, and develop a project plan with milestones through publication.
• Develop a framework for organizing partnership pathways across the full U.S. space ecosystem, including federal, state, and local governments; agencies; established companies; startups; universities; research laboratories; investors; and nonprofits.
• Identify the case studies, best practices, and dos and don’ts the guide will feature, and set criteria for selecting them.
• Build the guide’s structure and source base so it can be updated each year as regulations and opportunities change.

Research & Interviews

• Research the laws, regulations, agencies, and partnership mechanisms that shape international space cooperation with the United States, including export controls (ITAR/EAR), licensing, and international agreements such as the Artemis Accords.
• Plan and conduct interviews with U.S. government officials, commercial space companies, universities, research institutions, foreign embassies and space agencies, and other experts; prepare interview guides, notes, and summaries.
• Attend relevant space conferences, forums, and events to gather insights, track developments, and expand the guide’s network of contributors.
• Maintain an organized research library, annotated bibliography, and source and interview log so that every claim in the guide is accurately sourced and properly attributed.
• Monitor policy and regulatory developments throughout the year and assess their implications for the guide.

Writing, Editing & Production

• Write the U.S. Space Partnership Guide in clear, accessible, and practical language for both international and U.S. audiences. It should read as a guide, not an academic report.
• Manage review cycles with the Vice President/Director, subject-matter experts, and external reviewers, incorporating feedback and fact-checking content and citations.
• Coordinate with Meridian’s communications team and designers on the digital, PDF, and print versions of the guide, and support its launch and dissemination.
• Draft other written space content for TIS, such as articles, briefing materials, event summaries, and web content.
• Space Diplomacy Initiative Program Support (As Needed):
• Convenings: Support convenings such as the Meridian Space Diplomacy Forum by developing program themes and questions, identifying and securing speakers and attendees, and serving as a program producer.
• Inbound Study Tours: Identify and secure meetings with relevant government, commercial, academic, and research entities, and support groups during their travel.
• Outbound Delegations: Help identify participants and support them during their travel.
• Assist with administrative and logistical tasks as they arise.

Business Development (Limited)

• Help identify prospective funders for space diplomacy work and contribute to grant and other fundraising proposals in coordination with the Vice President/Director and Meridian’s Development team.
• Responsible for completing all organizational administrative responsibilities in a timely manner and meeting all organizational administrative deadlines.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

• A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in international affairs, public policy, space policy, law, science and technology policy, or a related field is preferred.
• 6-10 years of relevant professional experience in space policy, international affairs, the commercial space sector, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience researching and writing substantive published products such as reports, guides, policy papers, or articles. Writing samples will be required.
• An established professional network in the U.S. and/or international space community, spanning government, industry, academia, and civil society, that the candidate can draw on for interviews, expertise, and partnerships.
• Experience conducting qualitative research, including stakeholder interviews and case study development.
• Or any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Working knowledge of the U.S. space ecosystem and of the policy, legal, and regulatory landscape governing international space cooperation, including export controls (ITAR/EAR), licensing, and key agencies such as NASA, State, Commerce, FAA, FCC, and the Department of War/U.S. Space Force.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to turn complex legal, technical, and policy information into clear, practical guidance for non-specialist and international audiences.
• Rigorous research skills, including literature reviews, evaluating source credibility, synthesizing findings, and keeping citations and bibliographies accurate in a consistent style (e.g., Chicago).
• Strong interviewing skills and comfort engaging senior officials, executives, and diplomats.
• Self-directed project manager who can own a complex, year-long deliverable, set milestones, and meet deadlines with minimal oversight.
• Nonpartisan, objective approach and sound judgment in handling sensitive information.
• Strong intercultural communication skills; maturity, cultural sensitivity, and tact suitable for working with individuals from around the world.
• Flexibility to support events and occasional travel.

Technical Requirements

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, is necessary for this role.
• Familiarity with EndNote, Salesforce and Canva is helpful.

Employer’s Statement

Meridian is committed to empowering global leaders and amplifying voices from a wide variety of backgrounds to create pathways for greater understanding, shared values, and respect. Connecting people has been our foundation for more than 65 years. If you share our values and enthusiasm for promoting non-partisan collaboration to address global challenges and opportunities, you can find a home at Meridian.

As an equal opportunity employer, Meridian is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, personal appearance, family responsibilities, marital status, matriculation, political affiliation, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, District of Columbia, or local law. This commitment applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.

Meridian provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs and practices, and for pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, as required by applicable law. Applicants who require an accommodation during the application or interview process are encouraged to contact Human Resources.

Salary Description

$75,000-$85,000