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Defense of Europe ProjectResearcher - 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 towitnessthe devastating impact of armed conflict, the need forobjective, 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 intelligenceto help leaders make informed decisions in conflict zones around the world andeducate the next generationof 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, ISWseeksto 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 hasa track recordof 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.

ISWseeksa talented and self-motivated full-time Researcher to conducttimelyand 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 forecastadversaryactions, 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 publishand verbally presenttheir insights to helpidentifythe 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 producetimelyand actionable insights for policymakers.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide expert analysisoncurrent and potential future Russian and NATO military capabilities bycollecting andsynthesizing open-source information on political and security developments.

• Work closely withISW'sRussia Team to synthesize ISW'songoinganalysis of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the Defense of Europe Project's efforts to forecast thelikely characterof a future Russian threat to NATO.

• Publish findings throughtimelywritten and graphical reports and oral briefings.

• Provide synthetic research support to long-termresearchprojectsin collaboration with other team members and programs asrequired.

• 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 withotherteam members.

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

• Validate compliance with properdata-handlingand 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. Amaster's degree is preferred.

• 2-5years 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 militaryinstitutionsand military history- particularly 20thand 21stcentury conventional warfare at the operational level -isa plus.

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

• Exceptional writing skillsand a willingness to learn ISW's institutional policy-focused writing style.Previousexperience 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.

• Experienceparticipatingin, managing, and developing wargames and planning exercises is a plus.

• Eagernessto learn new skills andcontentexpertise, both through structured organizational training andeducationas well as through independent efforts.

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

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

• Interestand enthusiasm for ISW's research agenda and mission.

Other duties

Pleasenotethis job description is not designed to cover orcontaina comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that arerequired ofthe 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.