Research Assistant - Great Power Competition in the Middle East Program

This RA will work within the Washington Institute’s Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East (GPC) Program. The GPC Program conducts research and produces publications focused on the Middle East as a setting for heightened competition between the United States and other world powers, such as China and Russia. The RA will provide both research and administrative support by tracking news developments, organizing events, and undertaking other research tasks.

Ideal candidates should be able to work on deadlines, multitask, and synthesize a large amount of information in a short period of time. Chinese or Russian language skills are a plus, but are not required.

The GPC RA will also participate in The Washington Institute's larger RA cohort. Further details on the RA program are as follows:

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.

RA positions are geared towards recent B.A. graduates with an interest and background in Middle East affairs and U.S. foreign policy. The position is a full-time (40 hours/week), year-long, paid position with a salary of $55,000, plus benefits. Start dates will be in late summer of 2026. Ability to work full-time in person in our Washington, D.C. office is mandatory. Candidates may apply for up to three positions.

The GPC RA will report directly to the RA/Intern Program Director, as well as the GPC team. Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2026.