Research Fellow, Artificial Intelligence

Overview

Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a leading nonprofit membership organization, research center, and publisher, with headquarters in New York, an office in Washington, DC, and programs nationwide. It is dedicated to increasing America's understanding of the world and contributing ideas to U.S. foreign policy. CFR's 5,000+ members are leaders in international affairs and foreign policy. CFR also publishes Foreign Affairs, the preeminent magazine on global issues, and provides up-to-date information about the world and U.S. foreign policy on its award-winning website,  

Position Summary

The Council on Foreign Relation's (CFR) David Rockefeller Studies Program is one of the country's largest foreign policy think tanks with a widely respected and influential research staff.  The Studies Program aims to advance the discussion of American foreign policy and international affairs through its writing, publications, public outreach, and discussions.

The David Rockefeller Studies Program at CFR is seeking to hire a Research Fellow to conduct original research and contribute to advancing CFR's work on AI and digital governance under a new program.  

This full-time position is based in CFR's New York City office on a hybrid basis. CFR currently defines hybrid status as working at least three days a week onsite, with Tuesdays and Thursdays considered institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite.

The major responsibilities of this position will include (but are not limited to):

• Conduct original research, facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues, and develop policy recommendations addressing the intersection of technological innovation, security interests, foreign affairs, and democratic values.
• Serve as an effective critical bridge between communities that rarely interact, translating technical complexity for policymakers and policy imperatives for technologists.
• Build and leverage formal and informal networks to advance digital governance solutions when traditional channels prove insufficient.
• Work with a wide range of colleagues inside and outside of CFR to analyze and explain the importance of emerging trends in digital governance.
• Convert intellectual analyses into actionable outcomes.
• Operate and communicate across diverse professional environments, from technical communities to diplomatic fora to private sector partners.
• Navigate institutional constraints creatively, identify practical pathways to implementation, and drive initiatives forward despite complex stakeholder dynamics.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Master's degree in political science, international relations, computer science, public policy, or related field with at least 5 years of additional experience; OR at least 8 years of directly relevant professional experience.

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Technical literacy sufficient to engage credibly with AI researchers and technology experts
• Strong track record of facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues and building consensus across diverse constituencies
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills, with the ability to produce both scholarly analysis and practical policy guidance for external or internal audiences
• Proven ability to manage competing deadlines and multiple work streams simultaneously 
• Strong operational skills with a demonstrated commitment to achieving practical, concrete outcomes 
• Ability to identify creative solutions within institutional and political constraints
• A track record of publications on relevant topics
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills  

Required Application Materials

• Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position.

Compensation and Benefits

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $100,000-$120,000, depending on experience.
• In addition to competitive salaries, CFR provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

About CFR

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is committed to fostering a foreign policy community in the United States that is more representative of American society, recognizing that diverse backgrounds and perspectives contribute to broader, more informed participation in the foreign policy debate and lead to an enhanced understanding of the world and the United States' role therein. To that end, CFR is dedicated to continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its work and workplace by building a more diverse membership and staff, producing and dispensing thoughtful analysis on a broad range of foreign policy issues, and developing relevant, wide-reaching programming that also serves to expand the foreign policy talent pipeline to underrepresented populations.

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