About

The Quincy Institute (QI) Internship Program provides a dynamic opportunity for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates from diverse backgrounds to engage in career exploration and professional development. During this program, we seek to build a bench of next-generation scholars, advocates, and practitioners who will work to ensure that the United States prioritizes vigorous diplomatic engagement over militarism in pursuit of international peace.

Research Intern, East Asia Program

The Quincy Institute (QI) has an opening for a research intern for its East Asia Program. The mission of the program is to provide students and recent graduates with meaningful and practical work experience in the theory and practice of realism and restraint in U.S. foreign policy.

The East Asia Program’s research intern will support the program’s efforts to develop and advocate for a U.S. strategy in East Asia centered on diplomatic and economic statecraft rather than military dominance. The intern will have the opportunity to attend internal and external meetings as well as QI events.

Responsibilities

• Primarily assist in researching issues related to U.S. foreign policy toward East Asia, contributing to products that range from original policy research to rapid reaction analysis of breaking news to op-ed writing
• Closely follow the daily and weekly news cycle, tracking issues of relevance to ongoing research and to U.S. relations with East Asia
• Assist in duties related to congressional outreach, communications, and tracking political developments relevant to ongoing research
• Demonstrate a keen interest in the restraint-oriented approach of the Quincy Institute and thrive in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment

Requirements

• Enrolled in (or have recently completed) an undergraduate or graduate program in political science, international relations, or regional studies
• Demonstrate academic coursework or professional experience relating to East Asian security and foreign policy issues
• Strong writing and research skills
• Proficient in basic technical skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite applications
• Familiarity with data analysis and visualization applications (Tableau, etc.) is a plus
• Advanced proficiency in Chinese is preferred

$17.95 - $17.95 an hour

The pay for this position is $17.95 per hour and is for an average of 20 hours per week.

Application

To be considered, applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and one writing sample that preferably demonstrates the candidate’s research skills within the context of U.S. foreign security policy or U.S. foreign economic policy.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. F-1 CPT is permitted.

Duration

The position is expected to start by end of May, and can continue for up to 12 months based on performance. The initial term of the internship is three months but can be extended based on performance.

Location

This position may be performed remotely or from the Quincy Institute’s Washington, D.C. office. Remote work must be performed within the United States.

Closing Date

The application closes on May 31, 2026 (11:59 pm EST).

About the Quincy Institute

The Quincy Institute is a public policy think tank in Washington, DC, founded in 2019 whose mission is to promote ideas that move US foreign policy away from endless war and toward vigorous diplomacy and forward-looking economic engagement, based on the grand strategy of Restraint. It envisions a world where peace is the norm, war the exception, and the United States a leading source of healthy ideas and influence. The Institute operates independently of any political party.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.