About Lawfare Institute

Lawfare is a non-profit multimedia publication dedicated to “Hard National Security Choices.” We provide non-partisan, timely analysis of thorny legal and policy issues through our written, audio, and other content—all of which you can find free of charge at our website, www.lawfaremedia.org. We strive to achieve academic-level depth with magazine-level readability at the pace of news. We aim to improve the discourse on the law and policy of national security with a relentless focus on substantive issues that matter—in a fashion that is useful to policymakers and practitioners, but also accessible to anyone. Our areas of coverage include national security law, threats to democracy, cybersecurity, executive powers, content moderation, domestic extremism, and foreign policy, among many others. 

About the role

We are pleased to announce that we are a hiring a program assistant to support the day-to-day operations of our AI Research Program, which bridges technical, legal, and policy expertise to inform AI governance across six research domains: AI governance and regulation; AI and national security; AI and the economy; AI and the legal system; AI and democratic institutions; and AI safety and catastrophic risk.

Working closely with the program’s research director, program coordinator, and its editorial and production team, the program assistant keeps the program running smoothly—coordinating logistics across the Scaling Laws podcast, the visiting fellows program, invite-only workshops, and legislative briefings and trainings. This is an ideal role for an organized, detail-oriented early-career professional who wants to help build a growing, nonpartisan AI policy program from the ground up.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience within a range of $48,800–$60,000. Benefits include health and dental care (with premiums fully paid by Lawfare), flexible hours, and participation in Lawfare’s 401(k) plan with up to 4% employer match.

What you'll do

The program assistant works at the direction of the research director and program coordinator to support significant aspects of the program’s operations, including:

• Coordinating logistics for the program’s convenings—three to four invite-only workshops per year (15–20 participants under the Chatham House rule), held on a rotating basis in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Austin, and Minneapolis—including venue, A/V, catering, and conference space;
• Supporting logistics for legislative briefings and trainings, including nonpartisan AI primers for federal and state legislators and their staff;
• Coordinating the visiting fellows program—supporting the rotating six-month fellowships (one new fellow every three months, with two in residence at any given time), including onboarding, scheduling, and travel;
• Supporting production of the Scaling Laws podcast—guest coordination and scheduling, prep-research support, show notes, and social media clips;
• Assisting with video and social media content scheduling and promotion;
• Coordinating travel and lodging for staff and fellows attending program events;
• Supporting the commissioned-papers workflow (approximately ten papers per year), including tracking, scheduling, and administrative coordination with outside authors;
• Maintaining program calendars, tracking deliverables and deadlines, and keeping day-to-day operations on schedule;
• Assisting with program reporting and funder-required documentation, as needed;
• Providing general administrative and scheduling support to the research director and program team;
• Completing other duties as assigned by Lawfare management.

Qualifications

This is an early-career position, well-suited for recent college graduates or those with one to three years of work experience. Candidates will have a bachelor’s degree. Strong organizational, logistical, and project-coordination skills are required, along with keen attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines at once. Candidates must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and be comfortable coordinating across staff, fellows, outside experts, and vendors. An interest in artificial intelligence, technology policy, law, or national security is a strong plus, as is prior experience in event planning, podcast or media production, or program administration. Candidates must be able to work effectively with minimal supervision, take initiative, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Some travel may be required to support program events.

Lawfare is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

How to Apply

Use the application link to submit the following documents:

• A resume that shows the experience and education requested above;
• A cover letter of no more than two pages that explains your interest in the role and how your skills and experiences fit;
• A brief writing sample of no more than 1,500 words;
• Two references, with email addresses, of people directly familiar with your work.