2025-26 Research Assistant Program
The Washington Institute is accepting rolling applications for our 2025-2026 Research Assistant (RA) cohort. The RA program provides a pathway for recent graduates and early-career professionals to begin the transformation from young scholar to promising analyst and future policymaker. Research Assistants support Institute senior fellows in all aspects of research and administrative work, and go on to contribute to the policy world as government officials, research analysts, journalists, consultants, and other roles. In addition to providing research support, RAs participate in The Washington Institute's frequent public and private events, and contribute to the daily operations of the office. Research Assistants gain exposure to high-level decision-makers, follow developments in the Middle East, and help senior fellows produce in-depth research and policy analysis. The Washington Institute provides professional development programming for Research Assistants, equipping them with relevant skills for policy positions.
Selected applicants are assigned to specific research programs based on their skills, experience, and interests. Institute research programs cover a range of topics: North Africa, the Levant, Israel and the Palestinians, Turkey, the Gulf, Iraq, Iran, Arab-Israel relations, great power competition, Russia and China in MENA, counterterrorism and intelligence, military and security, and energy.
RA positions are geared towards recent B.A. or M.A. graduates, or other early-career professionals, with an interest and background in Middle East affairs and U.S. foreign policy. Ideal candidates will be self-sufficient, highly motivated team players who can work in a fast-paced environment, communicate effectively, and write clearly and directly. Language skills in Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew, Turkish, Kurdish, Russian or Chinese are a plus, but not required.
Research Assistants report directly to the RA/Intern Program Director and Research Manager, as well as their assigned senior fellows. The position is a full-time (40 hours/week), year-long, paid position, plus benefits. Start dates will be in late summer/early fall of 2025. Ability to work full-time in person in our Washington, D.C. office is mandatory. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the March 1, 2025 deadline. Please email rainternjobs@washingtoninstitute.org with any questions.