East Asia Researcher

Title: East Asia Researcher

Department: Programs

Position type: Part-time Contract position, approximately 20 hours per week

Location: Asia, with a preference for Taipei

Workspace Designation: Remote

Reports to Title: Regional Director, Asia-Pacific

Submission Instructions:  Please submit a letter of interest, résumé, and two professional references. 

Application Deadline: August 9, 2026

Organization Overview:

Founded in 1981, the Committee to Protect Journalists (“CPJ”) is an independent, non-profit organization defending journalists worldwide without regard to their political ideology. Through its work to safeguard journalists, CPJ protects the rights of all people to have access to diverse and independent sources of information. For over four decades, CPJ has helped win the early release of imprisoned journalists, secure convictions in journalist murders, and enable legal reform in countries where free expression has deteriorated. CPJ’s widely cited database and reports have raised global awareness of attacks on press freedom. Learn more about CPJ’s fight to defend freedom of the press here http://cpj.org 

At CPJ, we are dedicated to upholding values of equity and free expression in both our internal operations and external endeavors. As a global organization headquartered in the United States, we aspire to build a diverse workplace and foster an inclusive and welcoming environment. We strive for our people to be representative of the global community on which we report and to equip them with the opportunities and resources they need to learn and succeed.

Job Summary:

The East Asia Researcher works in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Regional Director and Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator, and is responsible for monitoring, researching, documenting, and responding to attacks on the press and other issues impacting press freedom in the region - primarily in China and Hong Kong, as well as Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia. The researcher also assists the Asia-Pacific Program with advocacy efforts.

This role requires a background in media, press freedom, and human rights in the East Asia region, excellent research and English and Chinese writing skills, a solid understanding of journalistic standards, and the ability to work independently and proactively. You will collaborate with colleagues across different time zones, requiring strong interpersonal and project management skills. The Researcher must be available for at least one weekly team meeting in the evening (typically 7pm Taipei) and one all-staff meeting (typically 9am New York) to coordinate with colleagues in different regions. Additionally, this position requires occasional after-hours support in urgent cases. Candidates should ensure they can accommodate this schedule before applying.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Regional Director, Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator and other team members of CPJ.
• Responsible for monitoring, researching and documenting attacks on the press and other issues impacting press freedom in the region - primarily in China and Hong Kong, as well as Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia.
• Assists, advises and implements advocacy efforts and strategies to advance press freedom in the region. Maintain contacts, collaborate and coordinate with key stakeholders, including journalists, newsrooms, civil society groups, multilateral mechanisms and government agencies.
• Research, monitor, and report breaking news and events (alerts, statements, and/or features) affecting press freedom violations and the media environment in East Asia, including through the use and monitoring of social media and speaking with relevant contacts on the ground.
• Monitor developments affecting press freedom and journalists in East Asia and flag them to the Asia-Pacific Program promptly and accurately.
• Update to CPJ’s databases of imprisoned, killed, and missing journalists and media workers.
• Provide research and support on CPJ’s Journalist Assistance work on distressed journalists in collaboration with the Emergencies department.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the CPJ team. Collaborate with global team members, across different time zones, requiring strong interpersonal and project management skills. 
• Have a background in media, press freedom, and human rights in the East Asia region, excellent research, as well as English and Chinese writing skills
• Exhibits a solid understanding of journalistic standards, and the ability to work independently and proactively. 
• Must be available for at least one weekly team meeting (typically 7pm Taipei on Tuesday) to coordinate with colleagues in different regions, and one all-staff meeting (typically 9am New York on Wednesday).
• Work in a time zone within approximately 2–3 hours of the region’s core working hours. 
• Requires occasional after-hours support in urgent cases.
  
  

Qualifications & Competencies: 

Required:

• Minimum of five years of professional experience in researching, reporting, and writing on press freedom and broader freedom of speech issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong understanding of East Asia issues, including media and human rights.
• Strong commitment to press freedom.
• Fluency in both Mandarin and English (reading, writing, and speaking) is required.
• Proficiency in an additional regional language is a plus.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace applications is essential.
• Experience with Salesforce is a plus.
• Prior experience covering the region with existing contacts is preferred.
• Self-starter, team player, and comfortable to work in a multicultural environment. Ready to work on flexible hours when needed. 
• Experience working across time zones and collaborating with international teams.
• Applicants must have the legal right to work in the location to which they apply.
  
  

Equal Employment Opportunity:

CPJ provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.