Research Intern, Global South Program

The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft is a newly formed public policy think tank and communications project in Washington, D.C., whose mission is to promote ideas that move U.S. foreign policy away from endless war and toward vigorous diplomacy and economic engagement in the national interest. It envisions a world where peace is the norm and war the exception. The Institute operates independently of any political party.

The Quincy Institute (QI) is looking for a research intern with skills in foreign policy and data science for its Global South program. The QI Internship Program provides an opportunity for undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates from diverse backgrounds to engage in career exploration and development. Candidates will also have the opportunity to submit their own writing for publication by the Quincy Institute. The mission of QI’s Internship Program is to provide students and recent graduates a meaningful and practical work experience related to the student’s field of study or career interest. Interns will have the opportunity to attend internal meetings, attend external as well as QI events online or in-person. 

Interns will be able to work remotely or from the Quincy Institute’s Washington, DC office. Preference will be given to candidates who are based in the Washington, DC area.

• Quantitative and qualitative support in advancing the Global South program’s research and objectives in geopolitics and geoeconomics
• Provide qualitative and especially quantitative and statistical research support to program staff, including coding simple scripts, running statistical models and mapping data using relevant software, extracting data from datasets, interpreting quantitative data analysis, conducting literature reviews, and editing/copyediting research products
• Contribute to products by program staff that range from original, long-form policy research to rapid analysis and op-ed writing
• Track daily news and provide a daily news brief on news related to the Global South to relevant staffSupport the planning and running of internal and external events, such as roundtablesSupport in the collection and storage of data and information relevant to the Global South program
• Support the Global South program’s advocacy initiatives
• Demonstrate a keen interest in the foreign policy approach of the Quincy Institute, including restraint in U.S. foreign policy, and maintain an interest in working in a dynamic and ambitious environment
• Assist with general administrative work for the Quincy Institute when needed

• Knowledge of issues related to the geopolitics or geoeconomics in one or more of the constituent regions of the Global South, i.e. Latin America, Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, or the Pacific islands
• Enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program in political science, international relations, economics, or a related field in the social sciences or humanities, or a recent graduate in the aforementioned areas with additionally a data science component
• Strong quantitative research skills and knowledge of programming languages R or Python, proficiency in spreadsheets (e.g. Excel) and mapping software (e.g. Tableau)

• Strong writing and research skills, including basic familiarity with AP style guide
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite applications
• Knowledge of and familiarity in using large databases, such as those housed in the World Bank or United Nations
• Working knowledge of a language relevant to the Global South, such as Spanish, Portuguese or French

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