Jacob is a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) funded Ph.D. candidate at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and the University of Waterloo. Jacob was the Global Affairs Canada 2023-2024 Margaret Meagher Fellow, where he worked to deepen the Government of Canada’s understanding of China. Jacob holds an M.A. in Political Science from the University of Waterloo, and an (Honours) B.A. from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Jacob’s multi-manuscript dissertation employs quantitative methods to model and analyze the Indo-Pacific security architecture. Using IR/political science methodology, Jacob analyzes practical issues of political contestation, organizational membership, and resiliency in the context of an Indo-Pacific region facing present and future international security challenges. Overall, Jacob’s work intends to help inform policymakers as they navigate an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region (to that effect, Jacob’s work has been cited by the United States Congressional Research Service).

Jacob’s scholarly work on Canada’s Indo-Pacific foreign policy has appeared in International Journal. He was the winner of the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust Essay Competition for his essay published in Canadian Naval Review. Jacob’s political commentary on the South China Sea as well as AUKUS has appeared in The Diplomat. He has contributed articles to Canadian newspapers, writing on various issues of international relations. Jacob has presented at international conferences in Austria, Croatia, and the United States. Jacob was a researcher for the Global Arena Research Institute based in the Czech Republic. He is the recipient of an excellence award for his work as a Teaching Assistant in the University of Waterloo’s Department of Political Science.

Jacob is working proficient in French. He enjoys travelling internationally.