Senior Research Analyst/Fellow, Turkey Program

Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD); Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care coverage

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) in Washington, DC is seeking a full-time senior research analyst or fellow for the Turkey Program. The selected candidate will report to the Director of the Turkey Program and join a team focused on Turkish policy analysis and US relations.

The role entails conducting in-depth research, producing memos and op-eds, engaging with policymakers, and supporting events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or graduate degree in IR, political science, or economics.
• Strong research skills for analyzing Turkey's policies.
• Excellent writing for memos, op-eds, and policy briefs.
• Knowledge of Turkey's political/economic/security landscape and US ties.
• Excellent communication and teamwork; able to work independently.
• Turkish language required; other languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research on Turkey's foreign and domestic policies.
• Analyze Turkish initiatives and implications for US policy.
• Produce memos, op-eds, and policy briefs with actionable insights.
• Collaborate with the Turkey Program team on ongoing research.
• Engage with policymakers and stakeholders to disseminate findings.
• Help organize events and briefings related to Turkey's dynamics.

Skills

Research skills

Strong writing

Communication skills

Independent work

Turkish language

Education

Bachelor's or graduate degree in IR/PolSci/Economics

Tools

Governance/risk platforms

Job description

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) seeks to hire a full-time senior research analyst or fellow for its Turkey Program. The selected candidate will report directly to the Director of FDD's Turkey Program.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research on various aspects of Turkey's foreign and domestic policies, including but not limited to economic, diplomatic, defense, and technological interactions with the United States, Israel, and other countries in the eastern Mediterranean.
• Analyze and assess the implications of Turkish strategic initiatives, identifying potential challenges and opportunities for U.S. policy and strategy formulation.
• Produce high-quality written content, such as research memos and op-eds, providing insightful analysis and recommendations on Turkey-related issues for internal and external audiences.
• Collaborate closely with other members of the Turkey Program team to contribute to ongoing research projects and policy development efforts.
• Monitor and stay abreast of developments in Turkey's political, economic, and security landscape, providing timely updates and analysis to inform FDD's Turkey-related initiatives.
• Engage with policymakers, experts, and stakeholders in the policy community to disseminate research findings, participate in policy discussions, and help shape the discourse on U.S.-Turkey relations.
• Assist in organizing and participating in events, conferences, and briefings related to Turkey's strategic dynamics and U.S. policy responses.
• Provide support and assistance to the director of FDD's Turkey Program as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or graduate degree in a relevant field, such as international relations, political science, or economics.
• Strong research skills with the ability to conduct thorough and rigorous analysis of complex issues related to Turkey's foreign and domestic policies.
• Excellent writing skills with the capacity to produce high-quality written content, including research memos, op-eds, and policy briefs, for various audiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Turkey's political, economic, and security landscape as well as its interactions with the United States. Awareness of Turkey's developing weapons technologies is an added bonus.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate with team members, engage with policymakers and experts, and present research findings in a clear and concise manner.
• Proactive and self-motivated individual with the ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional working knowledge of Turkish is required, with fluency preferred. Working knowledge of Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, Kurdish, or Persian is a plus.
• Familiarity with commercial risk, governance, and compliance platforms would be desirable but not required.
• Title and salary commensurate with experience.

Application Requirements

• Cover letter
• Resume

FDD is an equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact Jean Thurman at [e-mail] or [phone].

This is a hybrid position located in FDD's Washington, DC, office. This role has a projected salary band of $85,000-$150,000 per year, based on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including health care coverage, based on eligibility.

FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. For more information, please visit FDD.org and follow FDD on X @FDD.