Research Assistant
The Council for Strategic and Defense Research (CSDR) is hiring a hybrid, New Delhi-based Research Assistant from June to December 2026. The role supports a project on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in India through desk research, stakeholder interviews, and event coordination. Applications close June 17, 2026.
6/12/20262 min read
Career Opportunity: Shape the Future of Inclusive Foreign Policy as a WPS Research Assistant at CSDR
The intersection of gender, global governance, and national security is rapidly evolving, driving a critical need for inclusive frameworks in international relations. If you are an early-career researcher passionate about gender-inclusive security frameworks, a compelling opportunity awaits you in New Delhi.
The Council for Strategic and Defense Research (CSDR) has officially announced an opening for a Research Assistant - Women, Peace and Security (WPS) / Inclusive Foreign and Security Policy. This hybrid, six-month role runs from June 2026 to December 2026, offering a unique platform to contribute to groundbreaking policy research in India.
Project Overview: Advancing the Inclusive Security Agenda
CSDR is currently spearheading an ambitious project titled 'Women, Peace and Security in India: An Inclusive Agenda'. The initiative aims to map out stakeholder priorities surrounding the WPS agenda and uncover strategic opportunities for multi-stakeholder collaboration.
As a Research Assistant, you will act as a core engine for this project, driving knowledge management, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement to help bridge the gap between gender advocacy and defense policy.
Key Responsibilities
This role blends rigorous academic inquiry with active field coordination. Selected candidates will engage in the following core activities:
Policy & Desk Research: Conduct extensive literature reviews and desk research on vital themes like the WPS framework, feminist foreign policy (FFP), peacekeeping, and the intersection of gender and security.
Stakeholder Engagement & KIIs: Map out essential stakeholders and formulate interview questionnaires. You will directly coordinate, conduct, and document Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with experts spanning the military, government, academia, civil society, and international bodies.
Data Synthesis & Drafting: Support the qualitative analysis of workshops and field findings to help draft project reports, workshop summaries, and final policy outputs.
Event Coordination: Help plan and execute high-level policy events in New Delhi, including an Expert Workshop and the official Project Report Launch Event.
Project Management: Maintain organized databases, project records, and support overall monitoring and dissemination efforts.
Candidate Profile: Qualifications & Prerequisites
CSDR is looking for an analytical, organized, and driven individual who meets the following criteria:
Required Qualifications
Academic Background: A completed or ongoing Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Gender Studies, Security Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Public Policy, or related disciplines.
Domain Expertise: A proven interest or expertise in WPS, feminist foreign policy, gender-responsive security, or peacebuilding.
Skills: Excellent written and spoken English, demonstrated experience in technical policy writing, and top-tier organizational abilities.
Preferred Assets
Prior experience working within think tanks, policy research institutes, NGOs, or international organizations.
A strong grasp of the Indian foreign policy and national security landscape.
Prior experience planning academic or policy-oriented events.
Compensation Note: Remuneration for this position is competitive and will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
The Application Process: How to Apply
Securing this position involves a competitive two-step selection process consisting of a written assignment and an interview.
The Analytical Assignment
To apply, candidates must submit a short analytical essay (400–500 words) addressing the following prompt:
"Choose any two stakeholder groups (civil society, academia, government, armed forces, media, research and policy think tanks) working on any aspect of WPS in India and explain how their perspectives or approaches differ. Where do you see opportunities for collaboration or partnership between them on WPS?"
Submission Details
Interested researchers must email their updated CV alongside the completed Analytical Assignment to office@csdronline.com.
Subject Line Format: <Application (WPS - Assistant Project) Research>
Application Deadline: Before June 17, 2026
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