Research Assistant to the Belfer Center Director

Position description

 

The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs seeks two research assistants to support Meghan O’Sullivan, Director of the Belfer Center and Jeane Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice at the Harvard Kennedy School. The research assistants will work closely with the Belfer Center’s leadership team to conduct in-depth research and perform other duties for Professor O’Sullivan’s work and Belfer Center initiatives. Work may focus on issues including technology and geopolitics, the energy transition, the Middle East, transatlantic relations, U.S.-China relations, and other topics in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs.

Candidates will be considered for roles focusing on the following areas:

• emerging technologies (including but not limited to artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum computing) and related questions of international competition, cooperation, and governance;
• technologies and policies related to the energy transition (including but not limited to clean energy technologies, related critical minerals and supply chains, the geopolitics of the energy transition, and international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector);
• overall topics in international affairs, such as the Middle East, transatlantic relations, U.S.-China relations, and other topics in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs.

In your cover letter, please indicate the area(s) for which you wish to be considered.

 

Position Description

 

The Research Assistants will work directly with Professor O’Sullivan and the Belfer Center’s leadership team. They will play a key role in:

• Conducting research on specific topics and producing literature reviews, briefings for events and speakers, analytic memos, draft talking points and questions, and other outputs;
• Briefing the director and leadership team on research and upcoming engagements;
• Contributing to the development and execution of high-priority Belfer Center initiatives, such as visits by senior leaders, task forces, research projects, and others;
• Carrying out and supporting operations related to Belfer Center events, fellowships, guests, and other activities;
• Other related job duties, as required.

 

Basic Qualifications

 

• Bachelor’s degree required, with at least 1 year of work and/or academic experience directly related to the topics of the role. Relevant coursework and research will count toward experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and interest in, current issues in international affairs, research methods and sources, and basic quantitative skills

 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

 

• Candidates with a Master’s degree in a relevant field are welcome to apply.
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision under tight deadlines. 
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities and to assimilate, organize, and summarize large amounts of information.

 

 

Application instructions

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