Researcher, Space

Meridian International Center•Washington, DC

11d•$75,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Researcher, Space is an 11-month temporary position within Meridian’s Center for Technology, Innovation, and Space (TIS), located in Washington, D.C. Meridian requires employees to reside in Maryland, the District of Columbia, or Virginia. The position may work partially remotely until further notice. Its primary responsibility is to research, write, and deliver the first U.S. Space Partnership Guide, a practical, open-access resource to help organizations and individuals outside the United States understand how to collaborate with the American space ecosystem. Working with the Vice President, Open Diplomacy Programs/Director of the Space Diplomacy Initiative, the Researcher will help shape the guide’s strategy and framework and manage it from concept through publication. The role may also produce other space-related written content and provide limited support for Space Diplomacy Initiative programming and business development as capacity allows. The Researcher will develop the guide’s project plan and framework, research relevant laws, regulations, agencies, and partnership mechanisms, conduct stakeholder interviews, attend relevant events, and maintain well-organized research sources and records. The role will write and edit the guide in accessible, practical language, coordinate reviews and fact-checking, and work with communications and design colleagues on digital, PDF, and print versions and dissemination. As needed, the Researcher will support convenings, study tours, delegations, administrative tasks, and fundraising proposals. The position requires a bachelor’s degree and demonstrated research and writing ability. An advanced degree and 6–10 years of relevant professional experience are preferred. The successful candidate will bring knowledge of the U.S. space ecosystem and international space cooperation, strong research, writing, interviewing, project-management, and intercultural communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. Familiarity with EndNote, Salesforce, and Canva is helpful.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience may demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions.
Demonstrated experience researching and writing substantive published products such as reports, guides, policy papers, or articles; writing samples are required.
Established professional network in the U.S. and/or international space community, spanning government, industry, academia, and civil society.
Experience conducting qualitative research, including stakeholder interviews and case study development.
Working knowledge of the U.S. space ecosystem and the policy, legal, and regulatory landscape governing international space cooperation, including ITAR/EAR export controls, licensing, and relevant agencies.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, including the ability to make complex legal, technical, and policy information clear and practical for non-specialist and international audiences.
Rigorous research skills, including literature reviews, source-credibility evaluation, synthesis, and accurate citation and bibliography management.
Strong interviewing skills and comfort engaging senior officials, executives, and diplomats.
Ability to independently manage a complex, year-long deliverable, set milestones, and meet deadlines with minimal oversight.
Nonpartisan, objective approach and sound judgment in handling sensitive information.
Strong intercultural communication skills, maturity, cultural sensitivity, and tact.
Flexibility to support events and occasional travel.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
Residence in Maryland, the District of Columbia, or Virginia is required.
Applicants must submit both a resume and a cover letter.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in international affairs, public policy, space policy, law, science and technology policy, or a related field.
6–10 years of relevant professional experience in space policy, international affairs, the commercial space sector, or a related field.
Familiarity with EndNote, Salesforce, and Canva.

Responsibilities

Work with the Vice President/Director to define the guide’s purpose, audiences, scope, structure, methodology, and project milestones.
Develop a framework for organizing partnership pathways across the U.S. space ecosystem.
Identify case studies, best practices, dos and don’ts, and criteria for selecting them; build a structure and source base that can be updated annually.
Research laws, regulations, agencies, and partnership mechanisms relevant to international space cooperation with the United States, including export controls, licensing, and international agreements.
Plan and conduct interviews with government officials, commercial space companies, academic and research institutions, foreign embassies and space agencies, and other experts; prepare interview guides, notes, and summaries.
Attend relevant space conferences, forums, and events to gather insights, track developments, and expand the guide’s contributor network.
Maintain an organized research library, annotated bibliography, and source and interview log; ensure claims are accurately sourced and attributed.
Monitor policy and regulatory developments and assess their implications for the guide.
Write the U.S. Space Partnership Guide in clear, accessible, practical language for international and U.S. audiences.
Manage review cycles with the Vice President/Director, subject-matter experts, and external reviewers; incorporate feedback and fact-check content and citations.
Coordinate with Meridian’s communications team and designers on digital, PDF, and print versions of the guide, and support its launch and dissemination.
Draft other written space content for TIS, including articles, briefing materials, event summaries, and web content.
As needed, support convenings by developing themes and questions, identifying and securing speakers and attendees, and serving as a program producer.
As needed, identify and secure meetings for inbound study tours and support visiting groups during travel.
As needed, help identify participants for outbound delegations and support them during travel.
Assist with administrative and logistical tasks as they arise and complete organizational administrative responsibilities and deadlines in a timely manner.
Help identify prospective funders and contribute to grant and other fundraising proposals in coordination with the Vice President/Director and Meridian’s Development team.
Perform other duties as assigned.