Employment
“The Institute has become a reservoir of talent.”
Since its founding in 1985, The Washington Institute has served as a training ground for future policymakers in both Democratic and Republican administrations. During its quarter-century history, an impressive array of talented scholars has been associated with the Institute. They have gone on to join government and help shape American foreign policy in the Middle East. At the same time, upon completion of their public service, some of the best minds from government are attracted to the Institute. This exchange of ideas and people with the executive branch is very much a part of The Washington Institute's effectiveness.
The Institute's prestigious intern and research assistant programs also provide a pathway for college graduates and graduate students to begin the transformation from young scholar to promising analyst and future policymaker. The Institute is proud of its interns and research assistants -- many of whom go on to serve in government and make their own contributions in the policy world.
Current employment opportunities include
The Washington Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Soref Fellow
The Washington Institute is seeking one or two Soref Fellows. Applicants are urged to apply soon for positions which would start in coming months.
Research proposals should be about a topic relevant to U.S. Middle East policymakers. Candidates who do not duplicate expertise of existing Institute staff members are preferred. For 2023-2024, applicants fluent in Chinese or with significant government experience working on China are strongly preferred.
The Soref Fellow program offers an opportunity to consider pursuing a career in government or journalism rather than in academia. The fellowship is designed primarily for those who have recently earned a PhD; exceptionally well-qualified individuals with masters’ degrees will be considered, as will those with law or MBA degrees. The fellowship is not available as support while working on a dissertation. Applications are welcome from those with some years of experience post-degree, such as university assistant professors. Working knowledge of a regional knowledge sufficient for research purposes is much preferred; fluency is even better. Nationals of all countries may apply.
The stipend depends upon experience. Typically for someone who just received a PhD, the stipend would be about $4,500 a month, along with generous benefits. The fellowship is for up to one year. The Institute provides the services of a research assistant shared with another senior fellow. Soref fellows work out of the Institute’s offices in downtown Washington, D.C. Depending upon the research topic, the Institute is prepared to finance a research trip to the Middle East.
Soref fellows write for the Institute's PolicyWatch series and in most cases author a longer study the Institute publishes as a monograph. Fellows may be asked to speak on behalf of the Institute a few times at locations around the United States. The Institute’s communication staff will work with fellows to secure media interviews, to place op-ed articles in major outlets, and to have an active presence on social media.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. An application should include a short resume, one or two research proposals (a few paragraphs are sufficient), a sample of scholarly work such as a thesis chapter, and if available a sample of writing for a broader audience even if the subject is not about the Middle East. Please email applications to soref@washingtoninstitute.org.
No phone calls please.
To best protect our workforce, The Washington Institute requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This includes keeping up to date on any recommended booster shots. If hired, you will be asked to confirm that you have complied with this policy or to advise if you need to discuss a potential accommodation.
The Washington Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
2025-26 Research Assistant Program
The Washington Institute is accepting rolling applications for our 2025-2026 Research Assistant (RA) cohort. The RA program provides a pathway for recent graduates and early-career professionals to begin the transformation from young scholar to promising analyst and future policymaker. Research Assistants support Institute senior fellows in all aspects of research and administrative work, and go on to contribute to the policy world as government officials, research analysts, journalists, consultants, and other roles. In addition to providing research support, RAs participate in The Washington Institute's frequent public and private events, and contribute to the daily operations of the office. Research Assistants gain exposure to high-level decision-makers, follow developments in the Middle East, and help senior fellows produce in-depth research and policy analysis. The Washington Institute provides professional development programming for Research Assistants, equipping them with relevant skills for policy positions.
Selected applicants are assigned to specific research programs based on their skills, experience, and interests. Institute research programs cover a range of topics: North Africa, the Levant, Israel and the Palestinians, Turkey, the Gulf, Iraq, Iran, Arab-Israel relations, great power competition, Russia and China in MENA, counterterrorism and intelligence, military and security, and energy.
RA positions are geared towards recent B.A. or M.A. graduates, or other early-career professionals, with an interest and background in Middle East affairs and U.S. foreign policy. Ideal candidates will be self-sufficient, highly motivated team players who can work in a fast-paced environment, communicate effectively, and write clearly and directly. Language skills in Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew, Turkish, Kurdish, Russian or Chinese are a plus, but not required.
Research Assistants report directly to the RA/Intern Program Director and Research Manager, as well as their assigned senior fellows. The position is a full-time (40 hours/week), year-long, paid position, plus benefits. Start dates will be in late summer/early fall of 2025. Ability to work full-time in person in our Washington, D.C. office is mandatory. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the March 1, 2025 deadline. To apply for an RA position, submit your information here. Please email rainternjobs@washingtoninstitute.org with any questions.
2025 Summer Internship Program
The Washington Institute is accepting rolling applications for our Summer 2025 intern class. Interns are assigned to Institute research programs based on their skills and interests. Institute research programs cover a range of topics: North Africa, the Levant, Israel and the Palestinians, Turkey, the Gulf, Iraq, Iran, Arab-Israel relations, great power competition, Russia and China in MENA, counterterrorism and intelligence, military and security, and energy.
Interns support Institute research, publications, and events, gaining relevant experience for foreign policy careers. Intern positions are geared towards undergraduate (rising juniors or seniors) or Master’s students who are interested in Middle East affairs and U.S. foreign policy.
Ideal candidates will be eager to learn about Middle East policy issues, regional developments, and U.S. policy making. Applicants should be team players who can work in a fast-paced environment, support research and event planning, and communicate clearly and directly. Background in Middle East and foreign policy subjects is preferred. Language skills in Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew, Turkish, Kurdish, Russian or Chinese are a plus, but not required.
The 8-week paid internship runs from June to August. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the March 1, 2025 deadline. Ability to work full-time in person in our Washington, D.C. office is mandatory. To apply for an intern position, submit your information here. Please email rainternjobs@washingtoninstitute.org with any questions.
TWI Arabic Content Editor
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy is seeking a highly motivated reviewer and editor for its Arabic website to help provide its written policy content in engaging and accessible Arabic translations.
The TWI Arabic Content Editor will work closely with the Arabic Website editor and the Fikra Forum Editor to develop a distinctive voice and editorial house style for Arabic translations of Washington Institute content. The Arabic Content Editor will be responsible for editing all Arabic translations of TWI’s PolicyWatch series in a timely manner, evaluating and editing first draft translations for fluency, readability, and accuracy to the original English text. The editor will also be responsible for coordinating edits to Arabic-language articles and their English translations for the Fikra Forum publication, as well as coordinating publication materials with the Arabic website editor and publications team.
In addition to this core role, the Arabic Content Editor will also serve as the team lead for producing select Arabic translations of longer print or interactive products in coordination with the research and English editorial teams. This position will likewise include periodic fact-checking, media monitoring, back-end website management, and social media management as required.
Successful candidates will have a strong editorial vision and superior written communication skills in Modern Standard Arabic. The candidate should have excellent time management skills, be comfortable organizing teams across departments for a variety of projects, and excel when working independently.
Job Requirements:
- At least five years’ experience as a reviewer and editor of translated texts from English to Arabic
- Native-level fluency in Modern Standard Arabic; working proficiency in English
- Strong familiarity with U.S. government institutions and political trends throughout the Middle East
- Ability to work full-time in-person at our Washington D.C. office
- Possess a work-visa for U.S. employment
- Professional experience with data visualization tools (i.e. Datawrapper, Tableau, or ArcGIS StoryMaps), LLM AI applications, and design software such as InDesign is preferred but not required.
This is a mid-level, full time position with full benefits. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis for an immediate start date, and can be submitted using this form. Applications should include a 1-2 page resume and a cover letter in English, as well as an Arabic language writing sample. Please email editor@fikraforum.org with any questions.
No phone calls please.
To best protect our workforce, The Washington Institute requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This includes keeping up to date on any recommended booster shots. If hired, you will be asked to confirm that you have complied with this policy or to advise if you need to discuss a potential accommodation.
The Washington Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.