Semester of Service Volunteer- Foreign Affairs Volunteer

Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs. Specifically, applicants should meet the following criteria: The ideal student would have a broad interest in and knowledge of the intersection of emerging technology, national security, and foreign policy. Students majoring in science or engineering are preferred, but not required. The student should have strong research, writing, and briefing skills. They should be comfortable conducting independent open-source research, evaluating technical information, and synthesizing complex findings into clear written and visual products. The student should also be able to communicate research findings effectively to a policy audience. Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience & valuable career-ready skills. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution, & participation must be with the permission of the institution at which the student is enrolled.

• This vacancy announcement will be open from 07/30/2026 to 08/05/2026, or when 25 applications have been received. The vacancy will close on whichever day the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages. The Office of Conventional Dual-Use Technology Controls (ACN/CDT) proposes a semester-long research project for a SoS student to conduct an open source review of recent developments (January 2025 – Present) in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME) industry, with a particular focus on advanced packaging equipment. The project will focus on assessing technical progress and shifts in global market positioning among a defined group of SME companies. The project's primary objective is to improve the Department's understanding of recent changes in SME. The student will conduct structured, open-source research on target companies and equipment, with particular attention to technological advances, changes in equipment capabilities, and shifts in companies' positions within the global market. The student will also identify relevant technical parameters and specifications of the reviewed SME. The student will synthesize their research into written and visual deliverables, including a paper analyzing significant technological and market developments in SME and an accompanying visual product presenting the project's key findings. The student will also brief CDT officers and other relevant Department stakeholders on the results of the research.