Jobs and Internships

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a cover letter, CV, and writing sample here. Please include in the cover letter your specific interest in FDD. No phone calls, please. Any inquiries may be sent to [email protected]. FDD is a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan 501(c)(3) research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.

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FDD seeks a full-time active duty U.S. military officer to serve as a Military Fellow in its Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). The successful applicant will have the rank of O-4 to O-6 and seek to gain research experience on issues related to U.S. defense policy and strategy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research related to the defense strategies, policies, and capabilities necessary to deter and defeat threats to the freedom, security, and prosperity of Americans and our allies;
• Author or co-author on the above and related topics (both internal and external publications, including newspapers, journals, and online outlets);
• Discuss research at events, both organized by FDD and in outside venues;
• Work with appropriate FDD staff to plan and execute meetings and briefings, as well as networking and professional development opportunities for FDD scholars with Department of Defense officials; and
• Support the day-to-day research and work of CMPP and CMPP’s Senior Director.

Qualifications

• Active duty U.S. military officers between the rank of O-4 (Major/Lieutenant Commander) – O-6 (Colonel/Captain);
• Commitment for 1-year fellowship;
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team;
• Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills; and
• Based full-time in FDD’s Washington, D.C. office.

FDD is a nonprofit and nonpartisan national security and foreign policy institute devoted to independent research in the defense of free nations against their enemies. FDD runs the National Security Network (NSN), a nonpartisan mentorship and leadership development program for mid-career national security practitioners. NSN is comprised of 400 alumni from the military, the executive branch, the Hill, think tanks and the private sector. FDD does not accept donations from foreign governments.

FDD seeks a full-time senior fellow to focus on China. The successful applicant will be familiar with Chinese hard- and soft-power with a track record of writing for publication on both.

Responsibilities

• Conduct deep research and analysis on Chinese financial, economic and political warfare, cyber policy, and military activity.
• Write for publication on the above and related topics (both internal and external publications, including newspapers, journals, and online outlets).
• Serve as a resource for research and analysis to members of the policy community.
• Discuss issues related to your research at events, both organized by FDD and in outside venues, including on television and radio news programs.
• Testify before Congress and other U.S. government entities and international governmental bodies on your research findings when invited to do so.
• Help to expand the reach of FDD’s research to appropriate audiences in the U.S. government, foreign governments, private sector entities and journalism.
• Other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in international relations, political science, or similar field.
• Nuanced understanding of American policy making.
• 8+ years experience in a relevant field.
• Previous publications in books, academic journals, policy journals, or periodicals (please provide a detailed bibliography of your publications).
• Ability to define objectives and execute research plans.
• Research fluency in written and spoken Mandarin preferred but not required
• Strong oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Apply

FDD seeks a full-time research associate to contribute to the organization’s Turkey Program.

Responsibilities

• Perform research and analysis on Turkey as directed by supervisors, including U.S.-Turkish relations, Turkish domestic politics, Turkey’s foreign relations, terrorism, illicit finance, human rights and minority rights.
• Research, analysis, and interpretation of research materials from Turkish to English.
• Monitor Turkish-language press on issues covered by FDD.
• Conduct database tracking and analysis.
• Research on other topics as assigned by supervisors or other FDD senior staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s a plus.
• Research proficiency in Turkish; knowledge of Kurdish dialects and/or Russian a plus.
• Demonstrated expertise and/or familiarity in FDD’s areas of interest.
• Strong writing, research, and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to successfully juggle simultaneous projects with different deadlines.
• Careful attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Based full-time in FDD’s Washington, D.C. office.

Apply

Responsibilities

• Creating and executing communications strategies and tactical plans.
• Developing outreach strategies to promote FDD research and researchers to television network, cable news, and radio producers, bookers and editors.
• Writing daily pitches, including “The Week Ahead,” to television and radio producers and bookers.
• Independently managing all elements of booking media interviews, including broadcast, print and digital media interview requests, from beginning to end.
• Independently managing broadcast crews at FDD events, including those at FDD, on Capitol Hill, and at the National Security Summit.
• Promoting FDD research to news aggregators.
• Writing and editing press releases, emails, and newsletters on issues of concern to FDD based on our research.
• Preparing FDD researchers for broadcast, print and digital interviews.
• Developing media contacts and maintaining the department’s media database.
• Managing the communications department’s interns.
• Supporting projects and initiatives of the communications department.

Qualifications

• A B.A. degree in communications, journalism, political science or related fields.
• Interest and background in U.S. foreign policy and current affairs, as it relates to the Middle East is desired
• At least one year of experience pitching television and radio producers, bookers and assignment editors, particularly in the Washington, D.C. press corps.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• An ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Digital communications experience.
• Media relations skills desired.
• High attention to detail and strong organization skills, including timeliness and accuracy.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills. Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external contacts at all levels.
• Ability to work on tight deadlines and with the news cycle as required.
• Knowledge of WordPress helpful but not required.

To view current internship opportunities, visit us here.

About FDD’s internship program

Based in downtown Washington, D.C., the Foundation for Defense of Democracies has a number of internship opportunities available during the spring, fall and summer semesters. All FDD interns will have the opportunity to participate in a twice-monthly speaker series, which brings high-level DC officials and senior staff members to engage with interns in an intimate setting. FDD interns will be encouraged to build on their academic skills by working closely with senior staff. FDD is also happy to assist students who wish to earn academic credit for this internship. All internships are unpaid. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. It is recommended that interested candidates submit applications early.

Please specify the department(s) for which you would like to be considered (feel free to indicate preferences) in your cover letter. While you may use the same cover letter for multiple positons, please submit a separate application for each position of interest. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For general inquiries, email: [email protected].

Eligibility

• Must have at least a 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
• Should have a relevant course of study and have completed coursework in any of the following fields: International Relations, Security Studies, History, Communications, Journalism, International Economics or Political Science.
• Interns should have knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Word, as well as basic Excel skills.
• Must be able to commit to a minimum of 22 hours per week.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Application Materials Required

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover letter (Please review our website and include which FDD projects and issue areas resonate with you and why. Also indicate where you found this internship and your availability for the semester.)
3. Writing sample (no more than three pages)
4. Unofficial transcript copy