Careers and Internships

Reporting to our Lead Designer, 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 three or more years of work experience, a strong design aesthetic and a proven ability to make complex sets of data easy to understand, visually appealing and shareable.

We’re a small, close-knit team but we have a big impact, so you will see your designs reach a broad audience and make a difference. Our work is regularly cited in the news, and well regarded by policy experts.

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 research publications and articles, particularly maps, infographics and other data visualisations
• Researching digital trends and looking for opportunities for the Institute to advance its digital offerings
• 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.
• Proficiency in HTML, CSS and JavaScript
• A deep understanding of visual design, information architecture, typography, and UX fundamentals
• Ability to work autonomously and develop websites from the ground up
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to meet deadlines
• Great visual, verbal and written communication skills
• An eye for detail and proofing
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, particularly PowerPoint  

Highly desirable

• Experience with SVG and common libraries for data visualisation like D3.js
• Experience with Git, static site generators and build processes
• Experience with Vue, React, Svelte or other web frameworks – we are technology agnostic!
• Experience designing for content-rich sites with an academic or news focus
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in visual communication or digital design
• Three years of related design experience
• Demonstrated interest in global news and foreign affairs
• Experience with Premier Pro or After Effects 

The successful candidate will work four days per week for six months at an annual salary of $60,000, inclusive of compulsory superannuation contributions. The Lowy Institute offers a range of other benefits to employees. This is a new role and we are open to candidates who do not align exactly with this job description.

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

Applications close on 23 March.

Scholarships

2020 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 in Sydney and 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 2020 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 2020 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 17 April 2020.

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

The availability of internships depends on the capacity and needs of our staff. Openings will be advertised on this page as they arise. Please note we no longer accept rolling applications.

Our internship program aims to connect talented international policy students and professionals with our research staff and programs. You should be interested in contributing to Australian international policy, have excellent time management and administrative skills, think critically, write clearly, and capably manage independent research tasks. Typically you will be enrolled in, or have completed, the final year of undergraduate studies, honours or postgraduate studies. The internship program attracts a large number of outstanding candidates and is highly competitive. Our intern alumni include Rhodes scholars, diplomats, soldiers, journalists, and academics. If your application is successful you will work in our Sydney offices at 31 Bligh St on a voluntary basis, with a small stipend to cover lunch and travel expenses. Permission to work in Australia is essential.

For any queries, please contact interns@lowyinstitute.org.