Volunteer Research Internship- Chinese

Volunteer Research Intern – Party Watch Initiative

Fall 2017

The Party Watch Initiative, a program affiliated with the Project 2049 Institute, is searching for a volunteer research intern to conduct research and assist the Initiative’s development.

Party Watch Initiative/Project 2049 Institute Introduction

The Party Watch Initiative is a new program that specializes in analysis of open source Chinese language materials. Its goal is to provide the China-watching community with valuable information on the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) activities, viewpoints, and developments. Its signature products include weekly, quarterly, and annual reports that study official Chinese sources in order to conduct original analysis from the lens of the country’s most powerful political institution. The result is a unique program that promotes better understanding of the CCP regime, which is the heart of all decision-making in China.

The Project 2049 Institute, established in January 2008, seeks to guide decision makers toward a more secure Asia by the century’s mid-point. The organization fills a gap in the public policy realm through forward-looking, region-specific research on alternative security and policy solutions. Its interdisciplinary approach draws on rigorous analysis of socioeconomic, governance, military, environmental, technological and political trends, and input from key players in the region, with an eye toward educating the public and informing policy debate.

Job Summary: The Party Watch Initiative is recruiting part-time volunteer research interns to begin October 2017. Ideal candidates are advanced undergraduate students, recent graduates, and first year graduate-level students with knowledge of China’s political system and foreign policy, excellent Chinese-language research skills, and excellent writing skills. The Initiative’s work is partly conducted remotely on the Internet, but group work in Project 2049 Institute offices and other public locations will be regular. Opportunities for professional development are as follows:

  • Honing Chinese language research abilities and knowledge of openly available Internet sources, conducting writing and analysis for articles, conference reports, and other such projects in accordance with the Initiative’s needs.
  • Opportunity to regularly be featured as an author on Party Watch Initiative’s signature weekly report.
  • Opportunity to regularly co-author articles in the Party Watch Initiative’s online partner publication, The Diplomat.
  • Opportunity to help shape the development of a new think tank program.

Preferred Attributes:

  • Currently enrolled in/recently graduated from university program with coursework in China/Asian Affairs.
  • Able to commit 10-20 hours a week to the internship.
  • Excellent Chinese language research skills. Ability to pass a timed language assessment.
  • Excellent analysis, writing, and communication skills.
  • Experience with social media.

Application:

Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please apply no later than August 31, 2017. Applicants must submit the following:

  1. 1-2 page resume, PDF
  2. 1 paragraph cover letter in body of email explaining relevant experience and qualifications.
  3. A short writing sample.
  4. A list of 2 references (including reference’s name, title, affiliation, email address, and phone number).

Please send all materials to:

Julia Bowie

Analyst, Party Watch Initiative 
juliagbowie@gmail.com