Geospatial Researcher, ArcGIS

Institute for the Study of War

ArcGIS Geospatial Researcher analyzing ongoing conflicts and national security threats for ISW. Conducting expert geospatial analysis and mentoring interns in a hybrid work environment.

Posted 6/8/2026full-timeWashington • District of Columbia, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $70,000 - $80,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PythonRemote Sensing

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Conduct expert geospatial analysis on dynamic conflicts by synthesizing multiple open-source information on political and security developments.
Compiles, manipulates, and analyzes geospatial data.
Develop proficiency in data-driven analytic software platforms, particularly ArcGIS.
Utilize partnerships with satellite imagery and remote sensing companies to enhance research capabilities.
Provide research support for long-term projects and forecasts, collaborating with team members as required.
Mentor and manage interns, fostering their professional growth.
Provides GIS training to other personnel.
Assist in editing and producing intelligence products to uphold institutional standards.
Ensure compliance with proper data-handling and storage guidelines throughout all research activities.
Design, develop, and maintain databases and systems of GIS data.
Develop reports, maps, applications, and visualizations convening the results of spatial analyses.
Utilize scripting languages to refine GIS data pipelines and processes.
Provide visual interpretations of data, including geographic analysis, pattern analysis, and suitability analysis.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in a field of study related to ISW's core mission and research agenda.
Excellent working knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS.
Experience working on geospatial analysis and problem sets that synthesize data from multiple sources.
Ability to refine requirements and determine the best technology for a job.
Creative problem-solving skills.
Ability to independently develop and manage proprietary datasets.
Skills in raster analysis and satellite imagery analysis.
Experience in GIS application development is a plus.
Python knowledge is a plus.
Critical language skills (Russian, Arabic, Mandarin, Persian, etc.) is a plus.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
Professional development opportunities

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

geospatial analysisdata manipulationGIS application developmentraster analysissatellite imagery analysisPythondata-driven analyticsdatabase designspatial analysisdata visualization

Soft Skills

creative problem-solvingmentoringcollaborationindependent dataset management