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Cognitive Science Internship Jobs in Washington, DC

VENESCO LLC

Operational Psychologist

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$165K - $200K/yr

... cognitive performance, team dynamics, and organizational readiness ... The Operational Psychologist applies behavioral science principles to optimize performance ...

Goodwin House

Fitness Specialist

Falls Church, VA

$30/hr

Since 2022, we've also been annually recognized as one of the top 100 employers for interns by the ... These activities support older adults with a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities.

Goodwin Living

Fitness Specialist

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$30/hr

Since 2022, we've also been annually recognized as one of the top 100 employers for interns by the ... These activities support older adults with a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities.

Goodwin Living

Fitness Specialist

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$30/hr

Since 2022, we've also been annually recognized as one of the top 100 employers for interns by the ... These activities support older adults with a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities.

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Cognitive Science Internship information

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$2.4K

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How much do cognitive science internship jobs pay per month?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average monthly pay for cognitive science internship in Washington, DC is $7,293.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $5,000.00 and $8,683.33 per month, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cognitive science internship?

A Cognitive Science Internship is a temporary, practical work experience for students or recent graduates interested in cognitive science, an interdisciplinary field that explores the mind, intelligence, and behavior from psychological, neuroscientific, computational, and philosophical perspectives. These internships allow participants to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world research or projects, often involving tasks such as data analysis, experimental design, literature reviews, or programming. Interns can work in academic labs, tech companies, healthcare organizations, or research institutes, gaining hands-on skills and professional connections. The experience helps clarify career interests and can be a valuable stepping stone for graduate studies or entry-level positions in related fields.

What types of projects or research tasks are typically assigned to cognitive science interns?

Cognitive Science interns often work on interdisciplinary projects that may involve data analysis, experimental design, literature reviews, or assisting in behavioral studies. You might contribute to tasks such as collecting and analyzing data from cognitive experiments, programming simple behavioral tasks, or collaborating with team members from psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and linguistics. Interns are usually encouraged to participate in team meetings and may have opportunities to present their findings or support ongoing research publications. This hands-on experience helps interns gain valuable insights into real-world applications of cognitive science and develop technical and collaborative skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cognitive science intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cognitive Science Intern, you need a solid background in psychology, neuroscience, computer science, or linguistics, usually supported by relevant coursework or a related degree. Familiarity with data analysis tools (such as Python, R, or MATLAB), experimental design software, and possibly experience with brain imaging systems is highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, communication skills, and adaptability help interns collaborate effectively and contribute original ideas to interdisciplinary research teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for successful participation in research projects and for making meaningful contributions to the field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cognitive Science jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Cognitive Science jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Cognitive Science Internship jobs in Washington, DC?

For Cognitive Science Internship jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cognitive Science Internship jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Cognitive Science Internship jobs in Washington, DC are:

Cognitive Science Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cognitive Science Internship job openings in Washington, DC as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,520 per year, or $42.1 per hour.

2027 Internship - Human Centered Design

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 75 rated research

Job description

Description
Help multidisciplinary teams understand complex problems, uncover what people truly need, and turn those insights into concepts that can improve real-world systems.
Do you ...
  • get energized by working with teams to tackle difficult challenges and rapidly deliver human-centered solutions?
  • consider yourself both a right-brained and left-brained thinker with an appreciation for art and science?
  • have a growing understanding of design thinking or innovation methods and techniques, and are looking to learn more about different processes and approaches?
  • enjoy stepping into ambiguous problems with curiosity, learning from others, and figuring out the next best step?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team for the summer at APL.
About the Role
The Operations & Analysis Group is seeking an intern to be a member of multi-disciplinary teams in the discovery, design and development of innovative solutions for complex problems to improve the lives of our end-users. Our teams use human-centered design approaches to tackle complex challenges in strategic planning, process improvement, product design, and service delivery for the DoW. You'll be joining our team of problem solvers to research and analyze the challenge space, and conceptualize and develop high-impact concepts.
What You Will Do
  • Work with cross-functional teams to develop critical concepts for our sponsors, bringing your perspective while actively building on the ideas of others
  • Immerse in the problem space through interviews, observations, and research to understand user needs, pain points, and context with curiosity and empathy
  • Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to uncover patterns, insights, and opportunity areas
  • Contribute to design workshops and co-creation sessions with users, stakeholders, and technical experts
  • Build low-fidelity prototypes and experiments to test ideas with users, seek feedback early, and iterate based on what you learn

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Are pursuing a degree in Human-Centered Design, Design Thinking, Product Design, Human Systems Engineering, Human Factors Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering or Design, Organizational Behavior, Public Policy, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Anthropology, User Experience Design, Business Administration or a related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Enjoy working on teams and feel comfortable facilitating collaboration across disciplines. Have a foundational understanding (or burning curiosity) around methods like human-centered design, systems thinking, product design, or service design
  • Have a passion for building team culture, driving innovation, and building/executing strategic initiatives
  • Love solving hard problems through iteration, learning, and creativity
  • Possess excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Are able to obtain Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Hold an Active Secret clearance or above
  • Hold a Bachelors Degree or higher in any of the disciplines listed above (or an equivalent field)
  • Have experience or coursework in human-centered design methodologies such as human-centered design, design thinking, agile, lean six sigma, lean start up, and user-centered design
  • Have familiarity with collaboration methodologies from industry (e.g. Google Sprint, LUMA, etc.)
  • Are confident using Miro, Figma, or other collaborative or design tools
  • Have experience with ethnographic research and synthesis
  • Have experience with rapid prototyping and user testing

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$22.60 Hourly
Maximum Rate
$47.95 Hourly

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