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As a trusted agent of the federal government, NSRI supports national interests and strategies by providing the Department of Defense and other federal agencies with evolutionary and revolutionary solutions to the dangerous and emerging threats of today and of the future.
One of the most critical solutions is a knowledgeable, capable and committed workforce equipped to carry forward 21st-century national security missions. NSRI invests its time, talent and resources into developing students from the University of Nebraska and beyond to pursue defense-related careers.
NSRI offers several ways for students to engage:
- Internships through NSRI
- Contributing to projects through NU faculty researchers
- Wargaming experiences hosted by NSRI
Current Internship Opportunities
NSRI has one program currently recruiting for summer 2024 internship experiences! Application deadline: March 31, 2024Investigating Competitor Nation Perspectives on Deterrence
Position Summary
- May 30-August 2 (approximately)
- Scott Technology Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- 40 hours/week
- $19/hour for undergraduate students
- $24.60/hour for graduate students
There are two key objectives to this research effort. The first is to explore and describe how competitor nations use and understand concepts related to deterrence, including differences in language and cultural meaning. The second is to identify and explain implications of those differences within the context of the spectrum of conflict (inter-war, crisis, intra-war, and conflict termination).
The investigation will ask how U.S. perceptions of topics like warfare, nuclear use, deterrence, stability, and the spectrum of conflict compare to those of its competitors. Additionally, what are risk or escalation perceptions markers in a competitor’s narrative? What risks arise in the differences among these perspectives?
Six interns will work as a team under the guidance of NSRI staff and University of Nebraska faculty to research this significant Department of Defense (DoD) interest area. Interns can also expect to collaborate with members from the DoD stakeholders to include U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).
Minimum Requirements
- Rising Junior at the University of Nebraska
- Must be currently enrolled full-time (12 credit hours) at one of the four University of Nebraska System campuses (UNK, UNL, UNMC, UNO)
- Standing GPA of 3.5+
- Due to the nature of the work at NSRI, this position will require U.S. citizenship
Duties & Responsibilities
Interns will conduct social science research that is focused on Russia or China. Interns will first identify a competitor nation to analyze. Under the guidance of UNO’s Dr. Michelle Black, interns will identify a specific frame of perception to analyze (i.e. narrative, military execution, policy, etc.) and develop a proposal to subsequently execute. Specific tasks will include:
- Developing a research methodology (case study, narrative analysis, sentiment analysis, etc.)
- Conducting academically rigorous research that includes a literature review
- Collecting data
- Empirically testing their hypothesis
- Receiving feedback from NSRI and USSTRATCOM experts
- Developing a research paper
- Briefing findings to senior leadership at USSTRATCOM
For those interns interested in careers within the intelligence community, military, academia, think tanks, or social science research organizations, this is a great opportunity to tackle a real-world problem.
Required Knowledge, Technical Skills and/or Abilities
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat
- A high level of organization with ability to research and recall information
- Strong time management, prioritization and critical thinking/strategic thinking skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Political science
- International studies
- Cybersecurity
- Psychology
- History
- Foreign languages
- Other related fields or knowledge
Apply!
To apply please complete the application form below by March 31, 2024.
Apply Here!Strategic Deterrence Interns
Each summer undergraduate students and ROTC cadets complete research projects within the mission space of U.S. Strategic Command, NSRI's UARC sponsor. In 2021 and 2022 the interns briefed their NSRI internship experience and the resulting deliverables to Lt. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, USSTRATCOM deputy commander. Following is a video summarizing the 2021 experience.
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Each year NSRI connects students to DOD-research experiences. Some of these students choose to pursue careers in national security after their time with NSRI.
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Wargaming Exercises@headingTag>
Through roleplaying, wargaming unearths unique insights and variables in complex and competitive situations that wouldn’t necessarily arise in simple discussions or brainstorming. The technique allows participants to gain better insight into decision-making.
Wargames can be applied to any competitive scenario, from global politics to local business to risk management. NSRI uses wargames to bring students together to discover potential solutions to the country’s most perplexing issues.
Connect with us below if you are interested in participating in or creating a wargame for students.
NSRI hosts Army vs Air Force ROTC virtual wargame for WPIConnect With Us
Have a question about an application or do you want to partner to create a new student opportunity? Let us know!
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