Careers and Internships

Careers

SOUTHEAST ASIA RESEARCHER

The Lowy Institute is seeking a high-performing, established researcher with a particular focus and expertise on Southeast Asia. The researcher will direct the Institute's Southeast Asia Project, as part of the Institute's East Asia Program, which produces policy-relevant research on the major strategic and political developments in East Asia.

The researcher will conduct their own independent research, and commission external research. The role also involves managing a program of events and conducting outreach activities, including providing commentary in the Australian and international media. The researcher will liaise with a range of Institute stakeholders, including government, non-government organisations and the corporate sector.

This is a rare opportunity for an established researcher to join this highly regarded Institute. Candidates will need to demonstrate a strong record of achievement in research or policy in the academic, public or corporate sectors. Candidates should be dynamic and self-starting individuals with excellent analytical and communications skills. They will be articulate speakers with experience in media commentary. They should be clear and fluent writers, have strong interpersonal skills, strong organisational skills and management experience. 

The successful candidate will join the Institute at a level commensurate with experience, and with salary and benefits set accordingly. 

Interested applicants should contact Malcolm Duncan, The Insight Group, for a confidential discussion on 02 9233 3711 or send details to search9@insgroup.com.au. 

RESEARCH FELLOW – LOWY INSTITUTE POLL

The Lowy Institute is seeking a new Research Fellow to lead and manage the annual Lowy Institute Poll and other public opinion projects.

This is the first time this important role has been open in six years. The Lowy Institute Poll is one of the Institute’s flagship research products, produced annually since 2005. During that time, it has developed a reputation as Australia’s leading tracking survey of attitudes to foreign policy.

A key responsibility of the role is to maintain the reputation of the Lowy Institute Poll as an independent, rigorous, and reliable basis for understanding Australian attitudes to the world.

In addition to conducting the annual poll, the Fellow will have opportunities to develop or build on their expertise in other areas of foreign policy. 

The Fellow will be an excellent communicator, an articulate speaker and clear and fluent writer, with some experience in media commentary. The Fellow should have proven abilities in data-driven projects, and be competent in relevant software. A working knowledge of statistical principles is desirable.

The Fellow will be required to work independently to manage and lead external providers to assist in the work of the polling program. They will conduct outreach activities, including commentary in Australian and international media, and liaise with a range of institute stakeholders, including government, non-government organisations and the corporate sector.

Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills, strong organisational skills and management experience. 

Interested applicants should contact Malcolm Duncan, The Insight Group, for a confidential discussion on 02 9233 3711 or send details to search9@insgroup.com.au. 

DIGITAL DESIGNER

Do you want to work in Australia’s leading think tank? Do you want to be part of a dynamic and fast-paced working environment? The Lowy Institute has a reputation for creating world-class digital products, and we are looking for a Digital Designer.

Reporting to the Director of Digital, you will be working across digital and print, on large publications and interactives as well as smaller pieces of work. We’re after someone with strong digital experience, and a strong design aesthetic.

The role has a large degree of autonomy, so you’ll need to be a self-starter who can manage competing deadlines, have a high level of organisational ability, and has the initiative to seek out opportunities to improve our current digital and visual communication processes. This role is a great opportunity to take ownership and lead the brand and design direction of the Institute.

The primary role responsibilities will be:

• Participating in the concept design and development of interactive features and microsites
• Working collaboratively with research staff and external authors to create editorial design solutions to accompany academic publications and blog posts, particularly maps, infographics, and data visualisations
• Guardianship and evolution of the Lowy Institute brand
• Researching digital trends and looking for opportunities for the Institute to advance its digital offerings
• Hosting and domain management
• Various print and digital designs, report layouts, and design for social media

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate the following skills and experience:

Essential

• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite including expert skills in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, as well as Premier Pro or After Effects.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, particularly Word and PowerPoint
• Proficiency in HTML / CSS / JavaScript and Content Management Experience (preferably Drupal)
• Experience liaising with external printers and third-party suppliers
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to meet deadlines
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• An eye for detail and proofing

Highly desirable

• Experience with common third party applications, particularly Mailchimp, Highcharts, and Microsoft CRM
• Experience designing for content-rich sites with an academic or news focus
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in visual communication or digital design
• Five years of related design experience
• Demonstrated interest in global news and foreign affairs

Desirable

• Detailed understanding of website analytics and the ability to develop website strategies based on analytics.

The salary for this role is $80–90k, inclusive of compulsory superannuation contributions. The Lowy Institute offers a range of other benefits to employees.

This is a Sydney-based position. 

Please apply, along with a portfolio demonstrating various types of information design, infographics, data visualisation and report layouts to sroggeveen@lowyinstitute.org

SUB-EDITOR

Does a misplaced apostrophe make your blood boil? Have you strong feelings on the serial comma? Do you want to work at Australia’s leading think tank, the venue of choice for international leaders and speakers, and the home of Australia’s best digital magazine on international affairs?
 
We are on the hunt for a sub-editor to work on The Interpreter, the Lowy Institute’s commentary and analysis website, and across many other aspects of the Institute’s operations. 

The primary responsibilities for this role will be:

1.    Sub-edit and proof all content on The Interpreter.
2.    Assist in setting the daily schedule and commissioning targets for The Interpreter.
3.    Proof other Lowy Institute publications and communications as required, including media releases and event invitations. 
4.    Provide support to the Lowy Institute Research Editor as required.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate the following skills and experience: 

Essential 
1.    At least two years of sub-editing experience.
2.    Ability to manage multiple deadlines and clear copy for daily publication.
3.    Experience working across different teams.
4.    Ability to get across complex subject matter quickly.
5.    Interest in international affairs.
6.    Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Highly desirable 
1.    Experience in online publishing.  
2.    Familiarity with online publishing platforms such as Drupal or WordPress.

The salary is $70,000, inclusive of compulsory superannuation contributions. The Lowy Institute offers a range of other benefits to employees. 

This is a Sydney-based position. 

Applications for this position have now closed.

Scholarships

2019 Michael and Deborah Thawley Scholarship

The Michael and Deborah Thawley Scholarship offers an Australian official, officer, student, or recent graduate an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the work of two leading think tanks, the Lowy Institute and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Scholarship

The scholarship provides direct exposure to the work of both organisations, at the intersection of research and policy in international affairs. The Thawley Scholar will initially work for a short period in the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, before spending 8–12 weeks in Washington DC at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Research to be carried out by the Thawley Scholar is flexible, but it is expected to place a strong emphasis on the regional and geopolitical dimensions of Australia’s strategic interests. Applicants should draw up a brief research agenda to be considered for publication. In Sydney, the scholar is expected to produce output for the Lowy Institute’s digital magazine, The Interpreter, under the supervision of the Director of the International Security Program.

The CSIS placement offers a rare chance to gain direct insight into US debates on global strategic challenges and policy responses, including opportunities to interact with the Washington foreign policy establishment and to meet with high-level policymakers and commentators, and then to apply that knowledge professionally upon return to Australia.

The successful applicant will receive an A$5000 award as well as a two-stage research placement, based first in Sydney and then in Washington DC. In addition to the award, flights, visa costs, and a small travel allowance are provided for the Washington placement. Domestic travel and partial living costs for the Sydney placement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The timing and length of the placement is flexible within the 2019 calendar year and a start date would be negotiated with the successful candidate. 

Eligibility Requirements

There is no specific professional profile for the preferred applicant, but a competitive candidate will typically be either a promising junior to mid-career Australian Government official or Australian Defence Force officer, or an exceptional postgraduate student with wider experience and demonstrated interests in international security. A knowledge of and interest in Southeast Asia is desirable. Please note, this scholarship is only open to Australian citizens and holders of permanent residency.

A list of past Thawley scholars can be found here.

Application Procedure

Applications for the 2019 Michael and Deborah Thawley Scholarship in International Security are now open. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, and close at 5pm on Friday 19 April 2019.

Upon application, please provide:

• A brief covering letter explaining motivation for application, detailing how the scholarship will help develop personal research interests and how it would contribute to future career development in an Australian context.
• Concise CV, including at least two professional/academic references
• An article or op-ed of no more than 800 words on a relevant topic. Candidates should familiarise themselves with Lowy Institute publications and The Interpreter, as a guide to the expected style and standard.   
• Academic records, if the applicant is a current student or recent graduate (within the past two years).

Applications should be sent to Sam Roggeveen at sroggeveen@lowyinstitute.org. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Internships

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