Fellow / Senior Fellow, China Center (Job ID: 2023-3293)

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

Foreign Policy at Brookings

The Foreign Policy program at Brookings is the leading center of high-quality, policy-relevant scholarship advancing actionable solutions to the major challenges to international peace and security. Brookings Foreign Policy scholars and staff draw on their deep expertise to engage in in-depth, nonpartisan research and analysis aimed at informing policymakers and the public debate and developing concrete policy recommendations to address the world’s toughest problems. The John L. Thornton China Center at Brookings develops independent analysis and policy recommendations to address long-standing challenges related to U.S.-China relations and China’s internal development. While the center’s research agenda is dynamic and responsive to new developments, abiding areas of scholarly interest include foreign policy and U.S.-China relations; economics, finance, and trade; China’s political leadership; China’s domestic challenges; and environment, technology, and global governance and institutions.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college-goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Position Location :This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Vaccine Policy : Brookings requires all staff to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to be in Brookings buildings.

Individuals that (i) have a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, or (ii) who object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief, may request a reasonable accommodation. Brookings policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by DC and CDC guidelines.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

The Foreign Policy program is accepting applications for a Fellow / Senior Fellow position in the John L. Thornton China Center. The Fellow / Senior Fellow’s primary responsibilities will be to conduct original research, analysis, and publishing on China-related policy issues. The specific research agenda will depend on the scholar’s interests and expertise.

Based on that expertise, the Fellow / Senior Fellow will be expected to produce a substantial body of peer-reviewed policy research and publications, with an emphasis on monographs and articles, that contributes to setting the policy agenda and informing the public policy debate. The individual will also produce commentaries, policy briefs, and other short publications, will interact with national and international media through interviews and other engagements, and will organize and participate in public and private events, conferences, workshops, and other activities.

Collaboration with other Brookings experts on research, publication, and events is encouraged. The Fellow / Senior Fellow will also engage with current and prospective supporters of Brookings and the Foreign Policy program and will have some responsibility for fundraising.

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

The position will be filled at either the Fellow or Senior Fellow level, as determined by the expertise and accomplishments of the candidate and the needs of the Foreign Policy program. Deep expertise on China is a priority, and applicants’ research interests may cover a broad range of issues relevant to China and U.S.-China relations. These may include, but need not be limited to, politics and leadership in China; governance and civil society in China; technology in China; and China’s defense and security policies.

All applicants are required to hold a bachelor’s degree; a PhD in political science, international relations, history, regional studies, or a related discipline is strongly preferred.

Candidates at the Fellow level, in addition to the other qualifications described here, typically will have at least two of the following qualifications: 1) a PhD or other terminal degree; 2) a minimum five years of professional, policy, or academic work experience related to China; and 3) a record of publication that demonstrates strong empirical research skills and the ability to produce policy-relevant research and analysis on China.

Candidates at the Senior Fellow level, in addition to all other qualifications described here, typically will have at least two of the following qualifications: 1) a PhD or other terminal degree; 2) significant policy-relevant experience at senior levels over a multi-year period, in this case related to China; and 3) a record of publication in peer-reviewed academic or policy journals over a multi-year period and publication of at least one sole-authored book. Senior Fellow candidates will be capable of providing breakthrough thinking in relevant policy areas and of influencing the intellectual discourse, and will be recognized as an authority within their area of scholarship or policymaking.

All candidates must possess demonstrated knowledge of China’s politics, economics, international relations, and policy-making processes; this knowledge may be gained through formal academic training, professional experience in government or the private sector, or both. All candidates must articulate a clear and compelling research agenda and must have a proven ability to conduct in-depth, high quality policy research and translate research findings into insightful, innovative, and practical policy recommendations. The Fellow / Senior Fellow must be able to design and undertake issue-focused engagement and outreach strategies with high-profile audiences, in collaboration with communications staff across the organization. A proven ability to build and develop financial support for the work is preferred.

Outstanding written and oral communication skills, along with professional fluency in English, are required of all candidates. The successful candidate must be motivated yet flexible, diplomatic, creative, trustworthy, a good team player who seeks to participate in FP’s community of scholars and staff, and able to thrive in a fast-paced yet collegial environment.

Salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience, and guided by Brookings’s compensation program.