Research Internship, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology, Fall 2026

Hudson Institute•Washington, DC

1d•$3,000•Onsite

About The Position

Hudson Institute is seeking interns looking to gain experience in research focused on future warfare dynamics and assessment of military decision-making through wargames, models, and simulations. This intern will provide front-end web-based application development, research, and administrative support to the Defense Concepts and Technology team. In addition to being exposed to critical issues in the aforementioned subject areas, interns will spend significant time discussing these issues with their expert(s). Those who work onsite will also have the opportunity to assist with, and attend, Hudson Institute public events, as well as intern-specific events featuring Hudson scholars and experts across Washington, DC. This internship provides a $3,000 stipend. About Hudson Institute Hudson Institute is a research-focused public policy think tank headquartered in Washington, DC, dedicated to promoting American leadership for a secure, free, and prosperous future. For more than half a century, Hudson Institute has been challenging conventional thinking by developing new ideas and practical solutions to shape critical foreign and domestic policy decisions. Three different areas of potential responsibility: One intern will assess--through modeling and simulation-- the characteristics and performance of new classes of space weapons. This intern will also peruse archival and contemporary material related to the new classes of space weapons. Lastly, this intern will prepare materials for wargames with US and allied participants. One intern will develop wargame tools for use in wargames with US and allied participants. This intern will also help assess new operational concepts and capabilities and their impacts on US and allied force design. One intern will assess People's Liberation Army trends in a warfare area.

Requirements

Recent graduates or current students working towards a degree in security studies, defense studies, computer science, astrophysics, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
Demonstrated interest in U.S. security and defense strategy.
Ability to work independently, manage time wisely, and meet deadlines.
Detail-focused, reliable, professional.
Strong research, writing, editing, and analysis skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications.
Must be able to work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
Must be able to work in-person.

Nice To Haves

Math skills
Programming skills
Astrophysics knowledge
Orbital mechanics knowledge
Aerospace engineering knowledge
Mandarin language proficiency
Japanese language proficiency

Responsibilities

Provide front-end web-based application development, research, and administrative support to the Defense Concepts and Technology team.
Assess--through modeling and simulation-- the characteristics and performance of new classes of space weapons.
Peruse archival and contemporary material related to new classes of space weapons.
Prepare materials for wargames with US and allied participants.
Develop wargame tools for use in wargames with US and allied participants.
Help assess new operational concepts and capabilities and their impacts on US and allied force design.
Assess People's Liberation Army trends in a warfare area.