The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges.

Thomas J. Pritzker was named chairman of the CSIS Board of Trustees in 2015, succeeding former U.S. senator Sam Nunn (D-GA). Founded in 1962, CSIS is led by John J. Hamre, who has served as president and chief executive officer since 2000.

CSIS’s purpose is to define the future of national security. We are guided by a distinct set of values—non-partisanship, independent thought, innovative thinking, cross-disciplinary scholarship, integrity and professionalism, and talent development. CSIS’s values work in concert toward the goal of making real-world impact.

CSIS scholars bring their policy expertise, judgment, and robust networks to their research, analysis, and recommendations. We organize conferences, publish, lecture, and make media appearances that aim to increase the knowledge, awareness, and salience of policy issues with relevant stakeholders and the interested public.

CSIS has impact when our research helps to inform the decision making of key policymakers and the thinking of key influencers. We work toward a vision of a safer and more prosperous world.

Careers & Culture

CSIS is a mission-driven organization committed to solving complex problems. 
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges. CSIS is always looking for talented individuals with diverse perspectives to make a greater impact on our world. 
 
CSIS offers career tracks for both research and administrative focused individuals. We pride ourselves on providing staff and researchers with a collaborative work environment while also acknowledging individual achievements. 

CSIS believes that our employees come first.  
The majority of all CSIS positions are hybrid, which means we promote a mix of working from home and at our Washington, DC office. There are a few positions that are either 100% onsite or 100% remote. Learn more about our benefits package.

We invest in our people.  
CSIS provides professional development opportunities to its staff and interns through the Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy (AILA). AILA’s mission is inspired by the vision of David M. Abshire, cofounder of CSIS, and Dr. Kazuo Inamori, founder of the Kyocera Corporation. Based on the founders’ ideals of humility, diligence, and forward thinking, AILA aims to empower CSIS’s to make positive contributions to their communities and take their leadership capabilities and foreign policy knowledge to the next level.  

AILA aims to provide training opportunities in leadership, ethics, and foreign policy to CSIS staff, foster growth and collaboration within the Center, and help prepare employees for challenges and opportunities in their future careers. Each year, approximately 100 junior and mid-level staff members and 200 interns participate in AILA’s multidisciplinary programming. From speaker series and skill-building workshops to educational activities and culture-building events, AILA programming is diverse and offers a holistic approach to professional development for professionals at CSIS.

We strive to create a positive organizational culture.  
CSIS aims to ensure that the organization’s workforce is diverse, and its policies and practices support an inclusive culture. To that end, the Diversity and Leadership in International Affairs Project (DLIA) provides opportunities for staff members to be a part of the larger CSIS community. Field trips, private conversations with distinguished scholars, and employee resources groups are some of the ways CSIS staff can engage with one another. These efforts are part of a larger organizational commitment to creating a strong sense of belonging for all CSIS staff members. Learn more about our Company Culture and our 2023 —2026 Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Plan.

Working at CSIS will open doors.
At CSIS, you will be working with a diverse set of experts that focus on both research analysis that makes an impact on public policy creation and change. Learn more about CSIS Experts.