Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute and leading think tank based in London. It conducts in-depth research and analysis on global affairs, aiming to help governments, businesses and the public make informed decisions.
The Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership and the Next Generation at Chatham House empowers aspiring young leaders to address global challenges and influence a better world. We are now looking to welcome PhD students to the Chatham House research community to offer aspiring researchers an enriching working experience in a leading policy institute.
The students can apply to join one of our research programmes:
- UK in the World
- Europe
- US and North America
Europe
The Europe Programme at Chatham House offers a PhD placement for candidates interested in forward-looking policy research on Europe’s future role in a rapidly changing global order around three core thematic pillars:
- Strategic Competitiveness (A New Economic Model): examining how Europe can develop a new actionable growth strategy that reflects the rhetoric of sovereignty by strengthening industrial capacity, innovation, energy transition, and economic resilience, including the role of dual-use technologies and defence-industrial integration.
- Strategic Security (A New Security Architecture): focusing on Europe’s evolving security and defence architecture and the balance between strategic autonomy and allied cooperation, adopting a 360-degree approach that links defence, economy, technology, energy, and critical infrastructure, including cooperation with non-EU NATO partners such as the UK and Türkiye.
- Strategic Partnerships (A New Global Bargain): analysing Europe’s engagement with key regional powers, particularly India and the Gulf states, to explore new global bargains in trade, technology, clean energy, and critical minerals that support Europe’s strategic autonomy and geopolitical credibility.
US and North America
Drawing on private and public convenings, expert commentary and in-depth research, the US and North America programme evaluates and informs the region’s evolving role in global affairs. We equip policy shapers across governments, civil
society and the private sector with the tools to understand the most consequential changes in Washington and Ottawa. We study America’s changing role in the world, the durability of these shifts and their implications for the rest of the world. We also inform options for UK, Europe and beyond in this era of global recalibration.
Our research priorities
- Navigating the US approach to China
- Renegotiating global economic and trade policies
- Redefining international security ties
- Charting the enduring features of US policy beyond 2028
The programme welcomes applicants with experience across any of these priorities, though those focused on transatlantic economic and security issues, energy security, the geopolitics of emerging technology, and US-China dynamics will be given priority.
UK in the World
Established in 2022, the UK in the World programme at Chatham House provides a hub for long-term, in-depth thinking about the UK’s foreign policy choices. The team focuses on a range of topics, but the top themes include:
- How the UK navigates between the EU, US and China;
- How the UK invests in economic and societal resilience, science and tech, and defence, to enhance its global power; and
- How the UK builds strategic relationships with the Global South
The student will:
- Work on and contribute to a research project – either a paper, series of convenings, or other similar work – for the duration of the placement. This could include but is not limited to desk research and literature reviews, helping with drafting publications, designing and undertaking research interviews and collating feedback; designing, developing and delivering a research roundtable(s); synthesising high-level workshop and conference discussions, etc.;
- Support the programme in responding to important international developments related to the programme’s focus by undertaking research, writing briefs or monitoring issue(s) in a timely fashion;
- Where appropriate, collaborate with colleagues from across other regional and thematic research areas to draw together complementary research and explore avenues for potential collaboration;
- Working with the team, identify and pursue opportunities for developing research and grant proposals. With support from the programme, you will contribute to research proposals for submission to a breadth of potential funders, including governments, businesses and foundations;
- As appropriate, gain experience in drafting, monitoring and reconciling project reports and budgets; and
- As appropriate, support with Chatham House events including identifying topics, suggesting speakers, and planning
In addition to their work in one of the research teams, the student will take part in The Queen Elizabeth II Academy’s Leadership Masterclass Programme for the duration of the placement. The programme takes place every Thursday, and it includes skills workshops, thematic sessions, and leadership training. The student will also gain access to Chatham House’s wider networks, library, and busy events schedule featuring world-leading experts.
The student should have:
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Strong research skills in a relevant field, particularly the ability to synthesise complex information;
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Demonstrable interest in UK foreign policy and international affairs broadly;
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Excellent, professional written and verbal communication skills, particularly the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly;
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Excellent attention to detail and ability to work under tight timeframes whilst balancing various tasks;
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A collaborative approach, able to form positive working relationships with people at all levels, internally and externally; and
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Good IT skills and familiarity with Office 365 suite (inc. MS Teams, Word and Outlook).
How to Apply
This opportunity is open to doctoral students funded through the GUDTP, UBEL DTP, LSE DTP, and LISS DTP.
GUDTP students should express their interest in this opportunity by emailing the Research in Practice and Placements Coordinator, Katerina Vavaliou in the first instance.
They can then apply through the Chatham House website and no later than 9th March 2026.
The host asks you to avoid using AI for your application. They want to hear from you! They can tell the difference between a genuine answer and an AI-generated one. Using AI will run the risk of your application being disqualified.
