Research Associate, China Strategy Initiative

Position Summary

CFR’s 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’s aim is to advance the discussion of American foreign policy and international affairs through its writing, publications, public outreach, and discussions.

 

CFR is hiring two Research Associates (RA) who will support the China Strategy Initiative, under the direction of the initiative’s director and C.V. Starr Senior Fellow for Asia. The Research Associates will also work on the initiative’s broader efforts including with other staff and initiative fellows. The research associates work directly with the fellows, providing administrative and research support. The research associate role is dynamic and ever evolving, giving the RA the opportunity to support different fellows within the initiative and its programs.

 

This full-time position is based in CFR’s Washington, DC office at least three days per week. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are considered institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite. Effective Monday, September 14, 2026, CFR employees will be based on-site at least four days per week. CFR’s remote working schedule is subject to change.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Conduct research and editing for articles, book chapters, and other publications, including in both English and Mandarin language source material.
• Provide logistical and administrative support to the senior fellow, including scheduling and calendar management, handling phone calls and media requests, making travel arrangements, and drafting correspondence.
• Coordinate events, including preparing invitations, making travel arrangements, corresponding with speakers, presiders, and participants, and providing logistical support for the event.
• Assist with budgeting, including tracking monthly income statements, monitoring grant information, potentially drafting grant reports and proposals, creating and updating Excel spreadsheets, and preparing vouchers for reimbursement.
• Assist with the drafting, proofreading, and editing of written material, including grant proposals and reports.
• Assist in managing the editing, production, and dissemination of monthly newsletters.
• Assist the senior fellow with social media outreach, including, website maintenance and posting and/or using social media applications such as X, Facebook, etc., as needed
• Support other fellows and departments, upon request.
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, Asian studies, history, or a related field.
• Master’s degree preferred but not required.

Experience

• Demonstrated academic work on foreign relations of China and Taiwan.
• One or more year(s) related administrative and/or internship experience preferred.

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Strong organizational and planning skills and high attention to detail.
• Excellent research, writing, and editing skills.
• Exceptional written communication, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, X or other social media, and internet research.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and tasks independently and under tight details.
• Full-professional proficiency in Mandarin.

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 $55,000-$58,000, 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.