Research Assistant: Foreign and Defense Policy Studies; Coalition Defense of Taiwan

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person research assistant to support the Coalition Defense of Taiwan (CDOT). CDOT is a joint initiative with the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) that provides analysis, assessments, forecasts, and recommendations to strengthen the formation and inform the action of a de facto coalition to deter and contain China and North Korea, with a primary focus on the Indo-Pacific.

The project examines US interests and objectives vis-à-vis Taiwan; China’s and North Korea’s military, political, and coercive strategies; prospects and strategies for deterring these two countries’ coalition; and recommendations to strengthen regional and global stability. Through rigorous methodology, deep subject-matter expertise, and close engagement with the policy and defense communities, CDOT contributes to an understanding of the requirements for effective deterrence, coalition coordination, and—if necessary—warfighting in the Indo-Pacific.

The research assistant will primarily support research, writing, and editing for project leads Dan Blumenthal and Frederick W. Kagan and will work closely with the analytical team lead and project coordinator. Additional duties include supporting planning exercises, working groups, and other project events; supervising interns; and coordinating closely with ISW’s analytical team to ensure analytical and organizational cohesion across the partnership. Research assistants may have opportunities to publish or receive authorial credit on project deliverables.

This position requires excellent writing, research, communication, and organizational skills. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong interest in Asian studies and Indo-Pacific security, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to take initiative on lines of inquiry while managing multiple competing priorities. Applicants must be proficient in Mandarin Chinese. Familiarity with military and defense issues is strongly preferred.

Qualified candidates should submit a resume, a cover letter demonstrating interest in AEI’s mission, unofficial academic transcripts, and a 500-word writing sample. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

Responsibilities

• Research, edit, and assist in producing policy publications with an emphasis on security and politics in the Indo-Pacific.
• Join a team of researchers at AEI contributing to different aspects of the project. Some team members focus on identifying, synthesizing, and assessing existing research on China and potential coalition partners that is written in Western languages, while others conduct deeper analytical research on the Chinese Communist Party’s decision-making, strategic calculus, and military planning.
• Conduct frequent spot research and short-turnaround memo writing to support ongoing projects, senior leadership needs, and time-sensitive analytical requirements.
• Prepare read-ahead materials, briefing papers, and presentations in advance of planning exercises, working group sessions, and other internal and external project engagements.
• Collaborate closely with the project team to produce research inputs, analytical assessments, and background materials used in drafting reports, briefings, and other project outputs.
• Supervise interns under the project coordinator’s oversight, including by holding regular check-ins, translating research needs into clear tasks with timelines, reviewing the interns’ work, and coordinating meetings between interns and project leadership.
  
  

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions at AEI

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close-up vision for computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.
  
  

Qualifications

• A BA in international relations, history, Asian studies, or a related field
• 0–2 years of previous full-time work experience
• Familiarity with and a strong interest in policy issues regarding cross-Strait relations and Asian security challenges
• Mandarin Chinese language skills (required)
• Excellent writing, research, communication, and organizational skills
• Intellectual curiosity
• The ability to take initiative and manage competing priorities
• Familiarity with military and defense issues (strongly preferred)
  
  

Benefits

AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and 3 personal/floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care FSA; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403b retirement plan with a contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits at https://www.aei.org/jobs/benefits/.

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; as well as internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $50,000 - $54,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.