Research Fellow​/Fellow and Deputy Director, of American Strategy

Position Summary

The Studies Program is seeking a research fellow or fellow and deputy director (dependent upon experience) who will help lead the work of a major new research initiative focused on the future of American strategy. This includes, but is not limited to, scoping the new initiative, developing its workplan, managing its day-to-day operations, and providing oversight of the program’s grants and fundraising efforts.

In addition, this research fellow or fellow will produce original written research, including books, reports, articles, and op-eds on the future of American strategy and/or related topics.

This full-time position is based in CFR’s New York City or Washington, DC, office on a hybrid basis. CFR currently defines hybrid status as working at least three days a week onsite, with Tuesdays and Thursdays considered institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite.

• Work with the director to scope the new initiative, develop its workplan, and manage its day-to-day operations.
• Oversee commissioning, editing, writing, layout, and promotion of a series of essays on the future of American strategy, in partnership with the director and broader team, including CFR senior leadership.
• Represent the initiative externally and internally, including in meetings with other departments across CFR.
• Oversee coordination of events, invitations, travel, correspondence, development of background materials, and other administrative, logistical, and operational support for the initiative, in partnership with the director and broader team.
• Provide oversight of program grants and fundraising efforts in coordination with the development team and other departments, including drafting grant proposals and reports, budget management, and tracking deliverables.
• Produce original written research, including books, reports, articles, and op-eds on the future of American strategy and/or related topics.

Education and Experience

• PhD in a relevant field OR an advanced degree with at least 5 years of directly relevant professional experience OR at least 8 years of directly relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated breadth in understanding of American foreign policy issues.
• Demonstrated operational and management experience.

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills, with the ability to produce both scholarly analysis and practical policy guidance for external or internal audiences.
• Proven ability to manage competing deadlines and multiple work streams simultaneously.
• Strong operational skills with a demonstrated commitment to achieving practical, concrete outcomes.
• Ability to identify creative solutions within institutional and political constraints.
• A track record of publications on relevant topics.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

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

• The full-time annual compensation range for the Research Fellow and Deputy Director level is $100,000 - $125,000, depending on experience.
• The full-time annual compensation range for the Fellow and Deputy Director level is $130,000 - $150,000.
• In addition to competitive salaries, CFR provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

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.