Reischauer Policy Research Fellow

Position description

The Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) is recruiting a Reischauer Policy Research Fellow who will assist the Director of the Reischauer Center with projects related to the Center’s mission of supporting the study of transpacific and intra-Asian relations. Recent topics include but are not limited to policy best practices in U.S.-Japan relations such as infrastructure, public diplomacy, and public health; the role of cities in global governance; the functioning of Washington’s “idea industry” and government-business relations; global energy security policy; and comparative Eurasian political economy.

 

The 2025-2026 Research fellows will focus primarily on the following:

 

• Current developments in US-Japan relations.
• Transformation of the Japanese political economy (1965-2025)
• Developments in the US-Japan-ROK trilateral relationship.
• The evolution of embassies as institutions, with a special focus on the US embassy in Tokyo and other relevant case studies in East Asia and beyond.

 

They are able to interact with senior researchers affiliated with the Center as part of our Visiting Scholars Program, who typically join us for one academic year from various government agencies in Japan. Furthermore, Fellows are welcome to participate in events in the larger Johns Hopkins SAIS community and are frequently able to attend courses relating to Japan Studies and Asian political economy.

 

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with faculty members on their research projects by conducting literature reviews, gathering, and analyzing data, and assisting in experiments or fieldwork.
• Organize and manage research data, including data entry, coding, and maintaining data integrity. Use relevant software tools and methods as required.

• Assist in conducting literature searches and synthesizing research articles, reports, and other scholarly materials relevant to the research area.

• Provide logistical support events to include seminars, luncheons, and conferences offered by the Reischauer Center.

• Prepare and format documents, presentations, and research proposals.

• Work collaboratively with other research fellows, research assistants, students, and faculty members within and outside the department or institution.

 

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Interest in East Asian regional issues, especially Japan.
• Exceptional research, writing, and editing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and familiarity with online academic databases.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team setting.
• Work experience in East Asia, such as the JET Program, preferred.
• Fluency in relevant languages such as Japanese, Korean, or Chinese.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in related discipline.

 

Application instructions

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