Location: Washington, D.C., New York, or Remote
Department: Center for China Analysis
Reports to: Fellow on Chinese Politics
Job Type: Temporary
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Overtime-Eligible)
Compensation: $17.95/hour-$18.40/hour
Schedule: August 2026 - May 2027 (with summer option)
Summary
The Center for China Analysis (CCA) is part of the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), a think- and do- tank with a policy-solving mandate that tackles major policy challenges confronting the Asia-Pacific in security and diplomacy; trade, investment, and innovation; climate and energy; and society, technology, and public health.
CCA was established in 2022 and aims to unravel China’s complexities and delivers independent policy-relevant analysis from a holistic, nuanced, and humanistic perspective, covering Chinese domestic politics; economy and technology; foreign policy and national security; climate, energy and the environment; society, public health, and education.
CCA’s domestic politics pillar is recruiting an intern who can provide research on China’s elite politics, national policymaking, and the domestic-foreign policy nexus. The intern will contribute to projects focused on these topics, the 21st Party Congress, and the Decoding Chinese Politics initiative.
The internship is well suited to graduate students, recent graduates, or advanced undergraduates with a strong focus on Chinese politics. It is for the 2026-2027 academic year, with the option to start earlier in the summer, if mutually agreeable.
Responsibilities
- Conduct research and analysis on Chinese elite politics, leadership priorities, policymaking processes, foreign policy, and grand strategy.
- Monitor and analyze Chinese-language sources, including leader speeches, Party documents, policy directives, and expert commentary.
- Track and analyze institutional actors and decision-making processes involved in foreign and national security policy, including the Party leadership, foreign policy bureaucracy, and military.
- Develop promotional and social media content for research products.
- Assist in organizing public events and closed-door roundtables.
- Perform additional research and administrative duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Candidates are expected to commit to a minimum of 18 hours per week.
- Demonstrated interest in Chinese politics, policymaking, or foreign policy, preferably with research experience.
- Strong analytical, research, and writing skills, preferably with a track record of academic, blog, media, Substack, and/or think tank publications.
- Advanced proficiency in Chinese, especially reading and translation.
- Advanced proficiency in English, especially writing and speaking.
- Excellent attention to detail and discretion with sensitive information.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel.
- Data skills (e.g., web scraping, statistical analysis) are desirable but not required.
- Authorization to work in the United States.
Compensation
Interns are paid $17.95-$18.40 per hour.
About Asia Society
Founded in 1956, Asia Society’s purpose is to navigate shared futures for Asia and the world across policy, arts and culture, education, sustainability, business, and technology. We provide a platform for dialogue and encourage a diversity of views as we try to find the most effective ways forward. Headquartered in New York City, the organization has thirteen other Centers around the world with a global staff of over 200.
How To Apply
To be considered for this role, all interested applicants must submit a completed application to: aspijobs@asiasociety.org.
A Completed Application Must Include
- Resume (one-page)
- Cover letter (one-page)
- Work sample (preferably five pages or less; preferably published analysis)
- Subject line: CCA 2026 Internship (Domestic Politics)
Asia Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
