Careers and Internships

Research Editor

The Lowy Institute is seeking a new Research Editor to lead and manage the editing and publication of the Institute’s research. The Lowy Institute is Australia’s foremost research centre on international policy, and publishes an agenda-setting series of peer-reviewed analyses, policy briefs, monographs and other publications. This is a rare opportunity for an accomplished editor to join this highly-regarded Institute, in an important role which helps maintain the high credibility and global impact of the Institute’s research.  

The primary responsibilities of this role are:

1. Working with the Director of Research and senior members of the research team to deliver incisive, original, and analytically rigorous research which will lead the debate in Australia and the world on important foreign policy issues.
2. Working with the Editor of the Lowy Institute Papers on two 20,000-word papers per year.
3. Leading the process of working with authors to edit drafts, incorporate peer review and internal editorial processes, and meet the Institute’s exacting standards for publication.
4. Editing, sub-editing and proofing all research publications including online interactive projects.
5. Providing assistance as required to the Deputy Editor of The Interpreter in editing and proofing other Lowy Institute communications material as required, including media releases and event invitations.
6. Providing other support to the Director of Research as required.

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

Essential

1. At least four years of editing experience for a publishing house, university press, news service or other major publisher.
2. Proven ability to edit the writing of others and write to a very high standard.
3. Meticulous attention to detail across all facets of editorial processes including grammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling, sources and fact-checking.
4. Experience working across different teams.
5. Ability to get across complex subject matter quickly.
6. Interest or experience in international affairs.

Highly desirable

1. Some experience in online publishing.
2. Familiarity with online publishing platforms such as Drupal or WordPress.

This is a full-time Sydney-based position. The successful candidate will join the Institute at a level commensurate with skills and experience, with salary and benefits set accordingly. Interested candidates may request a salary guide when making their application.   

To apply for this role, please email a one-page cover letter together with your CV to Director of Research, Alex Oliver, aoliver@lowyinstitute.org by Friday, 25 October 2019.

Research Associate, Australia’s Security and the Rules-based Order

The Australian Government regards the promotion and maintenance of the rules-based order as a key element of its defence policy. But what is the rules-based order? Is it being eroded, and if so, how and by whom? How can Australia strengthen the order? Do we need to update it to accommodate cyber security threats, hybrid warfare and drone warfare?

These questions, and many more, will be addressed by a new Lowy Institute research project on Australia’s Security and the Rules-based Order. We are looking for a sharp foreign-policy specialist to work part-time on this project.

The Research Assistant will support the Director of the project on research tasks and will play a major role in organising and facilitating a conference on the rules-based order. There may also be an opportunity to publish some of your own work.

The successful candidate will have excellent writing and editing skills, tertiary qualifications in international relations, and experience with event management. The position may suit a PhD candidate who can work two days per week on average, but with the flexibility to work longer hours in the lead-up to major events or publication dates.

Interested candidates may request a salary guide. Applicants should send a CV and cover letter to the Director of the International Security Program, Sam Roggeveen (sroggeveen@lowyinstitute.org), by 25 October.

Internships

Internship – Pacific Islands Program

The Lowy Institute is looking for a part-time intern to join the Pacific Islands Program from October.

The successful candidate will work on a wide range of issues related to the Pacific Islands region. Much of the work will involve collaborative, ad hoc research on this subject, including data collection and analysis. There will also be opportunity for the intern to pursue their own research in an area of the Pacific Islands region to be determined with the team, and to publish the results of their research on the Lowy Institute’s digital magazine, The Interpreter.

The internship program aims to connect talented international policy students and professionals with our research staff and programs. Candidates will typically be enrolled in, or have completed, the final year of undergraduate studies, honors or postgraduate studies. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated strong English research and writing skills who are familiar with or interested in the politics of one or more Pacific countries, and with geostrategic issues in the region. A good understanding of Excel is also encouraged.

Start date: Flexible, starting late October 2019 for 3-6 months.

Hours: Part-time, equivalent of two days a week (these can be organised around a student’s schedule). A small stipend will be provided to cover daily expenses.

To apply, please send a CV detailing work/academic experience and achievements (maximum two pages) and a one-page cover letter detailing why you are suitable for this internship to Jonathan Pryke at jpryke@lowyinstitute.org by Friday, 18 October 2019.

Internship – Asian Power and Diplomacy Program

The Lowy Institute Asian Power and Diplomacy program is looking for an intern to support research and data collection for the 2020 update of the Lowy Institute Asia Power Index. 

About the project: 

The Lowy Institute Asia Power Index, first launched in 2018, represents the largest comparative assessment of power in the region ever undertaken. The project evaluates 25 countries and territories in terms of their military capability and defence networks, economic resources and relationships, diplomatic and cultural influence, and resilience and future resources. The digital platform for the Index serves as an analytical tool for sharpening the debate on the regional balance of power. Users can compare variations in performance within and between countries, adjust the principal weightings of the Index, and drill down into hundreds of unique data points. Annual editions of the Index track how the distribution of power in the region shifts over time. 

About the candidate: 

The intern will undertake a combination of primary and secondary data collection, data standardisation and fact-checking. The successful candidate will have an undergraduate degree, preferably in a social science discipline such as economics, and demonstrated experience in conducting research on Excel. The selected candidate will be numerate, detail oriented and methodical, and work well in small team. Furthermore, they will have experience collating and managing large databases and have knowledge of major open-source databases. An interest in international relations and/or the AsiaPacific is helpful. 

The internship will be part-time for four to six months from November 2019. A daily stipend will be provided to cover transport and lunch expenses. 

Please send a CV and cover letter outlining your skills, work experience and suitability for the role to BBley@lowyinstitute.org by 31 October 2019 with the subject ‘API Intern Application – NAME’.

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.