CSS Internship Program
Are you interested in international or Swiss security policy? Would you like to complement your studies with practical experience and gain insights into the work of a think tank? Then the internship program at the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich offers you an excellent opportunity.
As an intern, you will work in one of the six CSS teams on ongoing projects across a wide range of security policy topics. You will support research and analysis, contribute to publications, help organize events, and gain insight into how a security policy competence center operates at the intersection of research, policy and practice.
You will support ongoing projects in areas such as cybersecurity policy, resilience and crisis management, defense policy, mediation, and euro-atlantic as well as global security. Your work will include, among other things, the following tasks:
- Research and analysis of literature and sources relevant to security policy
- Contributing to the drafting, editing, and proofreading of publications
- Assisting with data collection, preparation, and visualization
- Supporting the organization and implementation of events, workshops, or briefings
- Taking on administrative and operational support tasks
- Participating in internal meetings and work processes
The specific tasks will be defined together with the responsible team at the beginning of the internship and will be aligned with the project priorities and your personal interests.
The internship usually lasts eight weeks and is completed full-time. It offers a structured introduction to the field of security policy and provides valuable orientation for your further academic or professional path.
- We are looking for motivated individuals who are currently enrolled in a Master’s program, about to begin one (and have completed a Bachelor’s degree), or who obtained their Master’s degree no more than six months before the start of the internship (the diploma must be available).
- Strong interest in security policy topics (knowledge of Swiss security policy is an asset)
- Analytical thinking skills, excellent communication abilities, and a careful, independent working style
- Very good German and English skills
- A strong work ethic and the ability to learn quickly
- Confident use of common office applications
Please note that due to Swiss labor laws only EU 27 / EFTA nationals (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden) and Switzerland may apply for an internship.
The CSS pays an appropriate salary.
The Institute does not have the ability to assist applicants in finding housing, but refers to the appropriate ETH websites. Interns are asked to make the necessary arrangements before joining.
- As an employee with a fixed term contract you will be ensured against accidents, but not against illness. It is the intern's own responsibility to make any additional arrangements for insurance and social security.
- The CSS accepts no responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, any personal items during the internship. Again, applicants should make the necessary insurance arrangements prior to beginning their placement.
- All interns will abide by CSS Rules and Regulations and will conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Failure to do so will result in the termination of the internship. Both the CSS and ISN reserve the right to terminate the internship with immediate effect.
- All interns will keep confidential any and all unpublished information made available during the course of the internship.
- Successful candidates must provide written notice in case of illness or other unavoidable circumstances that might prevent them from completing their internship.
You can find further information on requirements, procedures, and the application process in the job posting.