Defense of Europe Project Researcher

Defense of Europe Project Researcher – Institute for the Study of War

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is seeking a Researcher on the Defense of Europe Project.

About ISW:

As the world continues to witness the devastating impact of armed conflict, the need for objective, real-time, unbiased analysis has never been greater. When decision-makers need information — from policymakers to humanitarian aid organizations to military leaders on the ground — time and time again, they turn to the Institute for the Study of War.

ISW has a unique, dual mission: to provide real-time intelligence to help leaders make informed decisions in conflict zones around the world and educate the next generation of national security leaders. This work is carried out through the General Jack Keane Center for National Security and the General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders.

Position Summary:

ISW promotes an understanding of war and conflict by providing data and critical analysis to key American political and military leaders. In addition, ISW seeks to educate civilians about war and conflict, thus bridging the gaps between military and civilian decision-makers. ISW aims to improve how the United States formulates and executes its national security policy. ISW is vigilant at monitoring crises around the world and has a track record of accurately predicting potential and actual conflicts. ISW provides a proven platform for emerging researchers and analysts to launch their careers in an innovative and highly relevant project.

ISW seeks a talented and self-motivated full-time Researcher to conduct timely and exceptional open-source analysis as part of the Defense of Europe Project. ISW’s new Defense of Europe Project (DEP) aims to reinforce European readiness by informing NATO efforts to develop the capabilities necessary to defeat near-term conventional Russian aggression against Europe. The project will forecast adversary actions, evaluate NATO readiness, and assess U.S. and allied postures to illuminate where deterrence is eroding and where it can be strengthened. The Researcher will work within the DEP team to publish and verbally present their insights to help identify the risks and opportunities in different policy approaches for U.S., NATO, and Ukrainian policymakers and practitioners. The ideal candidate must be passionate about conducting detail-oriented research and working on a collaborative team to produce timely and actionable insights for policymakers.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide expert analysis on current and potential future Russian and NATO military capabilities by collecting and synthesizing open-source information on political and security developments.

• Work closely with ISW’s Russia Team to synthesize ISW’s ongoing analysis of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the Defense of Europe Project’s efforts to forecast the likely character of a future Russian threat to NATO.

• Publish findings through timely written and graphical reports and oral briefings.

• Provide synthetic research support to long-term research projects in collaboration with other team members and programs as required.

• Design and support planning exercises and wargames to create modular scenarios of potential Russian aggression against a NATO member state.

• Coach, mentor, and manage research interns and collaborate with other team members.

• Gain proficiency in data-driven analytic software platforms to support investigations into complex research questions.

• Validate compliance with proper data-handling and storage guidelines.

Required education and experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in a field of study related to the ISW's core mission and research agenda. A master’s degree is preferred.

• 2-5 years of experience conducting open-source research and policy analysis.

• A strong understanding of modern conventional war; the Russian military; and NATO member state militaries, either in an operational context or through research and coursework. A sophisticated understanding of military institutions and military history – particularly 20th and 21st century conventional warfare at the operational level – is a plus.

• Excellent qualitative analytical skills, the ability to conduct granular research on military affairs, the ability to represent material graphically, some familiarity with quantitative methods, and comfort integrating technological tools into research.

• Exceptional writing skills and a willingness to learn ISW’s institutional policy-focused writing style. Previous experience writing for a policy audience is a plus.

• Outstanding briefing and presentation skills. The ideal candidate has experience conveying information to the media and senior-level civilian and military decision makers.

• Experience participating in, managing, and developing wargames and planning exercises is a plus.

• Eagerness to learn new skills and content expertise, both through structured organizational training and education as well as through independent efforts.

• Willingness to travel to Europe in support of the Defense of Europe Project’s research and briefing efforts.

• Professional working proficiency in one or more of Russian, Ukrainian, German, Polish, or the language of other NATO states is preferred.

• Interest and enthusiasm for ISW’s research agenda and mission.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. To apply, please submit a letter of interest, a CV, and an academic/professional writing sample here.