Research Associate or Analyst

Title: Research Associate or Analyst (South Asia Program)

FTE: 1

Salary: $55,000 to $75,0000 (Research Associate); $70,000 to $100,000 (Research Analyst)

Location: Washington, DC

About Stimson

The Henry L. Stimson Center (Stimson), a nonpartisan global security think tank located in Washington, DC, seeks a Research Associate or Research Analyst for our South Asia Program. Reporting to the Deputy Director, this role ensures that our practices support our mission-driven work, align with Stimson's vision, values, strategic goals, standards of conduct, and operational objectives, and demonstrate our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and employee well-being. 

We seek a highly motivated, organized, entrepreneurial, and collaborative individual committed to Stimson's mission and core values. This person understands that any organization is only as good as the people working there and the relationships they build and sustain. This job will require building authentic relationships with staff and affiliates that facilitate the successful candidate's ability to challenge, develop, and support them.

About the Program and Position Summary

Stimsonʼs South Asia program works to mitigate strategic risks and pave the way for a more stable and secure region by investing in critical exchange and open, objective inquiry. The program focuses its efforts on partnering with the next generation of South Asian analysts and policymakers to build better tools for regional stewardship and enduring relationships for deliberative engagement. We seek to foster space for respectful dialogue and debate for all those who seek it be they rising scholars, contemporary experts, or government officials from New Delhi, Islamabad, Washington DC, and Beijing. We create this space through our flagship online strategic analysis platform, South Asian Voices (SAV), our Strategic Learning online courses on security and deterrence, our Visiting Fellowship program, policy roundtables, academic workshops, simulation exercises, and our track-two engagements.

The Research Associate or Analyst will primarily lead the day-to-day development and management of Strategic Learning. Along with maintaining and expanding the reach of its current courses, producing and releasing additional online courses, leading integration activities and outreach, and project management will comprise a substantial portion of the incoming staff member's workload. They will also advance programmatic objectives by providing mentorship and editorial and research support to the team.

We are open to either level for this position and role hired will be dependent on candidate's professional experience and education level.

Responsibilities:

Essential Functions:

• Manage production, launch, and maintenance of a fifth online course on naval nuclear weapons in Southern Asia. Tasks may include: managing project team and overseeing external consultants, contractors, and reviewers; leading research, production, interviews, and review of course content; managing relationships and interfacing regularly with expert course contributors, funders, and other stakeholders; securing and updating course website and tools, including Learning Management System; and corresponding with and troubleshooting for enrolled students.
• Create and implement student-engagement strategies for online courses-including opportunities for interactions between students and lecturers by monitoring best practices in the field.
• Lead outreach to, compile lesson plans and other instructor resources for, and build/manage relationships with administrators and professors to facilitate the integration of Strategic Learning courses into universities and class syllabi in the United States, India, and Pakistan.
• Create and implement social media promotional and marketing strategies to advertise and promote Strategic Learning courses.
• Develop novel follow-on products, including YouTube series and other integration resources, and engagement opportunities in coordination with other project teams at the South Asia program.
• Manage the first four online courses-Strategic South Asia, Deterrence in Southern Asia, and Restoring Deterrence, and Missile Technologies in Southern Asia-including monitoring student progress and awarding certificates and developing and distributing new applications of existing course content.
• Monitor, collect, and analyze the performance of Strategic Learning's online courses, reporting key insights to program director, deputy director, and funders, and contributing to strategic planning and discourse with program leadership and other stakeholders.
• Liaise with project leadership and administrative departments at Stimson regarding budgeting, marketing, communications, etc.
• Provide editorial and research support to the South Asia program, and contribute original analysis as appropriate.
• Deliver administrative support to the South Asia Program, including, but not limited to: managing event logistics; serving as an event rapporteur; facilitating simulation exercises; crafting communications for external audiences.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Program research volunteers and project consultants.

Qualifications - required

• Demonstrated interest in Asian security issues and/or peace and conflict issues.
• Master's degree or PhD in Political Science, International Relations, or a related field with a focus on South Asia, nuclear issues, and/or broader security issues; and 3-5 years of professional experience working in hard security research, course development, or related fields.
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate with peers in a team environment.
• Strong organizational and communication skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Demonstrated analytical, research, and writing skills.
• Diplomatic skills and cultural sensitivity.
• A record of academic excellence.

Qualifications - preferred:

• Master's or PhD in Political Science, International Relations, or a related field, with a focus on South Asia and/or the hard security field, is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with social media platforms, analytics, and effective promotion strategies, including advertising platforms such as Meta, X, and Google Ads.
• Experience and comfort with video/audio editing and graphic design software, including Adobe Premier Pro and Illustrator a plus.
• Ability to quickly learn and use new technology tools and software.
• Relevant, but not required, language skills include Hindi, Urdu, and Mandarin.

We welcome applications from candidates who may not meet all preferred qualifications.

Application requirements:

• Applicants selected for interviews may be required to complete one or more short research, editing, and/or writing assignments.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Employee Benefits

15 Vacation Days, 10 Sick Days, 13 Paid Holidays, Medical and Dental Insurance, Retirement Match, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Plan, Commuting, Wellness, Education Benefits, Parental Leave, and Bereavement Leave.

Stimson is an equal-opportunity employer that celebrates, supports, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.