Research Assistant

About the Role

AEI is seeking a full-time, in-person Research Assistant to support two China studies senior fellows. The position involves research and administrative duties focused on issues related to Chinese corporations, Chinese foreign policy, US-China competition, Chinese macroeconomics, Indo-Pacific security and economic relations, and US strategy in the Indo-Pacific.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, edit, and assist in publishing policy reports on economics, international trade, authoritarian governance, security, and politics in the Indo-Pacific.
• Assist in updating the China Global Investment Tracker through data collection, research in Mandarin Chinese, fact-checking, editing, and data visualization.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate public and private conferences and meetings by inviting speakers, drafting invitations, and coordinating logistics.
• Manage schedules, set up meetings, and plan travel logistics for program activities and administrative details.
• Manage long-term projects by drafting proposals, mapping timelines, meeting deadlines, coordinating with project teams, organizing working groups, editing publications, reporting progress, and executing conferences.
• Comply with the Foreign and Defense Policy department’s reporting guidelines and assist with department events.
• Mentor Asia economics and security interns.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Mandarin Chinese (reading and research proficiency required)
• Microsoft Excel (proficiency required)
• Writing, communication, research, and organizational skills (excellent required)
• Interpersonal skills (excellent required)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in East Asian studies, international relations, political science, history, public policy, or a related field.
• 0-2 years of previous applicable full-time work experience preferred.
• Previous internship experience strongly preferred.
• Previous economics coursework preferred.
• Background in the Chinese economy, political economy, politics, or security preferred.
• Academically curious and able to manage multiple competing priorities.

Note on Application Materials

Qualified applicants should submit an online application including a resume, cover letter, transcripts, and a 500-word writing sample on a topic related to the position.

Compensation

The salary range for this full-time position is $50,000 - $54,000.