Position Summary

CFR’s David Rockefeller Studies Program is one of the country’s largest foreign policy think tanks with a widely respected and influential research staff. The Studies Program’s aim is to advance the discussion of American foreign policy and international affairs through its writing, publications, public outreach, and discussions.

The Research Associate will work under the direction of the Senior Fellow and Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomics. The Greenberg Center examines how geopolitical and economic forces interact to shape the world.

This position is based in CFR’s New York office at least three days per week. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are considered institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite. Effective Monday, September 14, 2026, CFR employees will be based on-site at least four days per week. CFR’s remote working schedule is subject to change.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

Conduct research on specific topics as requested by the fellow, particularly geoeconomics. Subjects will include sanctions, export controls, industrial policy, trade, and finance, with a focus on economic statecraft and the future of the global economic order.
Assist with fact-checking, editing, and formatting for the fellow’s writing projects, which include a various articles and major reports.
Provide administrative support to the fellow, including managing travel, coordinating with external organizations, handling correspondence, and responding to requests for information
Coordinate events, including preparing invitations, making travel arrangements, corresponding with speakers and presiders, helping prepare background papers, and providing other logistical support
Assist in managing the program’s finances, including preparing budgets and tracking monthly statements, creating and updating Excel spreadsheets, and preparing vouchers for reimbursement
Provide support across departmental lines and for other fellows, upon request
Assist the fellow with social media outreach, including publishing a blog, website, video, and/or using social media applications such as X, as needed
Support other fellows and departments, upon request
Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required

Minimum Qualifications

Experience and Education

Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, history, economics, area studies, or another similar field, with a superlative undergraduate academic record
Demonstrated interest in U.S. foreign policy
Familiarity with economic concepts and a comfort gathering and analyzing data; candidates who lack coursework in these areas will still be considered if they have a willingness to learn.

Related Skills And Other Requirements

Strong writing and editing skills in English
Exceptional organizational skills and outstanding attention to detail
Demonstrated ability to manage projects and tasks independently and under deadlines
Related experience in a job or internship

Required Application Materials

Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position.

Compensation And Benefits

The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $55,000-$58,000, depending on experience.
In addition to competitive salaries, CFR provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

About CFR

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is committed to fostering a foreign policy community in the United States that is more representative of American society, recognizing that diverse backgrounds and perspectives contribute to broader, more informed participation in the foreign policy debate and lead to an enhanced understanding of the world and the United States’ role therein. To that end, CFR is dedicated to continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its work and workplace by building a more diverse membership and staff, producing and dispensing thoughtful analysis on a broad range of foreign policy issues, and developing relevant, wide-reaching programming that also serves to expand the foreign policy talent pipeline to underrepresented populations.

Council on Foreign Relations

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Research Associate, Geoeconomics