Indo-Pacific Security Initiative - Spring 2027 Young Global Professionals Program

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Securitys Indo-Pacific Security Initiative (IPSI) informs and shapes the strategies, plans, and policies of the United States, and its allies and partners to address the most important rising security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including Chinas growing economic and military threats to the rules-based order along with North Koreas destabilizing nuclear and missile advancements. IPSI produces innovative written and video analysis, conducts tabletop exercises and wargames, hosts public and private convenings, and engages with US, allied, and partner governments, militaries, media, and other key private and public-sector stakeholders.

IPSI seeks a talented, dynamic, and entrepreneurial individual for a fast-paced position. The Young Global Professional (YGP) will be responsible for tracking, supporting, and executing project tasks as part of the Initiatives defense and security work to provide analysis and actionable recommendations for US, allied, and partner military and government audiences. The YGP will support research, panels, workshops, tabletop exercises, and other project activities as needed.

Successful candidates will communicate effectively and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. They will possess:

- Excellent administrative and organizational skills;

- Exceptional research and writing ability;

- Superior attention to detail;

- A positive attitude and adaptability;

- Knowledge of defense and deterrence issues, including in the Indo-Pacific region; and

- Awareness and understanding of culture and protocol for those in the Indo-Pacific region.

This internship is based full-time in our Washington, DC, headquarters, requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in office. Interns will be compensated at a rate of $18.50 per hour.

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Responsibilities

- Coordinate IPSIs day-to-day operational, substantive, and administrative functions for ongoing and future projects. This includes monitoring regional news cycles, managing network databases, and consolidating relevant information and materials.

- Support the coordination, scheduling, convening, and logistics for both public and private events including drafting invitations, correspondence with key participants, notetaking, and participant tracking.

- Implement communications and promotion strategy around core events and publications, via e-mail, on our webpage, and by social media and multimedia if required.

- Conduct research and source citation, editing, proofreading, and graphical work to support project activities, to include technical reports, summaries, and briefings that IPSI staff and fellows are working on.

Qualifications

- Must be at least a college junior in good standing, a graduate student, or a recent graduate, preferably majoring in Asian Studies, International Relations, National Security, or another related field.

- Interest in and knowledge of core topics related to Indo-Pacific defense and deterrence, including familiarity with military threats posed by the Peoples Republic of China and/or North Korea. Experience with relevant wargames, seminars, and workshops are a plus.

- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills (both verbal and written, in-person and virtual), including the ability to work through challenges and high emotional intelligence; Experience interfacing with Indo-Pacific stakeholders preferred.

- Versatile skills in research, writing, and attention to detail that can be applied to a range of lengths and formats.

- Strong organizational, logistical, time management, and administrative skills.

- Proficiency in MS Office suite is required and experience with other social media, website, and email marketing software is highly desirable.

- Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, think quickly under time pressure, and multi-task to fulfill simultaneous competing demands as part of a team.

- Mandarin skills highly desirable, but not required .

- We welcome applications from candidates who can commit to working full-time (forty hours per week) from the Atlantic Councils Washington, DC headquarters . We require candidates to be in the office four days a week .

Applications close Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET (4:59 am GMT) and require a resume and cover letter. Due to the large volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted .