1

Design Research Intern Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Intern Opportunity With The Education Trust The Education Trust (EdTrust) seeks an intern to join ... research process (design, data collection and analysis, summarizing findings, developing ...

A typical day for the Digital Design Intern could include: - Creating social media graphics and videos; - Developing templates to bolster rapid response efforts; - Researching competitors and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Design Research Intern information

See Washington salary details

$10

$21

$41

How much do design research intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for design research intern in Washington is $21.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $24.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Design Research Intern, you need a strong foundation in user-centered design principles, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and a relevant academic background in design, psychology, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Miro, and user research platforms such as UserTesting is highly valuable. Strong communication, curiosity, adaptability, and attention to detail are standout soft skills for this role. These capabilities are crucial for gathering actionable insights, collaborating effectively, and informing impactful design solutions.

What kind of projects or tasks can I expect to work on as a design research intern?

As a Design Research Intern, you can expect to assist with planning and conducting user interviews, usability tests, surveys, and competitive analyses. You'll help synthesize research findings into actionable insights that guide design decisions, and collaborate closely with designers, product managers, and engineers. Often, you'll participate in brainstorming sessions, create presentation materials, and help document user journeys and personas. This variety of hands-on experiences will build your skills in both research and design thinking, while allowing you to make meaningful contributions to ongoing projects.

What does a design research intern do?

A Design Research Intern supports the research process by gathering user insights, conducting interviews, analyzing data, and assisting with usability testing. They work closely with designers, product teams, and stakeholders to understand user needs and inform design decisions. Responsibilities may include creating research reports, synthesizing findings, and helping to develop user personas. The role provides hands-on experience in user-centered design and research methodologies.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Research jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Design Research jobs in Washington are:
What job categories do people searching Design Research Intern jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Design Research Intern jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Design Research Intern jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Design Research Intern job openings:
Infographic showing various Design Research Intern job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,649 per year, or $21.9 per hour.

P-12 Research and Data Intern

The Education Trust

Washington, DC • On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Other

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY
The Education Trust (EdTrust) seeks an intern to join the organization's P-12 division and support the Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) project. The ideal candidate has experience working directly with youth, conducting quantitative and qualitative research, and has a strength-based mindset, a commitment to sharing power with youth, and strong interpersonal skills. The Intern will use their skills to engage and train young people to conduct systematic research to improve the schools that serve them.
EdTrust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the U.S. education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where all students will thrive.
This role, beginning in July 2026 and ending in June 2027, is based in our Washington, DC office, and may be eligible for some telework. Interns must reside in DC, Maryland, or Virginia during the internship and report to the EdTrust office within three (3) days of hire for employment verification. In addition, the intern must be able to pass a criminal background check. The Intern will report to the P-12 Senior Research Manager. This role is budgeted for 20 hours per week.
ABOUT THE INTERN ROLE
Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Assist in planning a YPAR project, including supporting the recruitment and selection of youth to participate in the YPAR cohort, and supporting the revision of existing curriculum materials to align with the topic and scope of the YPAR project.
  • Assist in conducting the YPAR project, including supporting team building and training youth in research methods, and supporting all phases of the research process (design, data collection and analysis, summarizing findings, developing recommendations, and creating public-facing materials synthesizing results from the project).
Additional responsibilities may include the following:
  • Conduct literature reviews (i.e., identify, summarize, and synthesize research) on issues related to P-12 policy, research, and advocacy priorities
  • Support quantitative and qualitative analyses, and draft findings and conclusions
  • Analyze district and state level policies on topics such as, but not limited to, the use of AI in education
  • Draft briefs, PowerPoint presentations, blog posts, and other materials to share findings with internal and external stakeholders
  • Support fast-turnaround research and fact-finding to respond to stakeholder and media requests on pressing P-12 education issues
IDEAL SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS
  • Shared belief in EdTrust's mission and a commitment to improving educational equity, with a focus on racial equity
  • Willingness to receive and act upon constructive feedback
  • Ability to organize, prioritize tasks, work collaboratively, and meet deadlines
  • Strong communication skills
  • Attention to detail and ability to multitask
  • Ability to take initiative and be self-directed
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:
  • A bachelor's degree
  • Graduate coursework focused on education, public policy, psychology, or related social science fields
  • Experience working directly with youth
  • Experience or formal instruction in qualitative research methods and quantitative data analysis
  • Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
  • Proficiency and experience with quantitative (e.g., R, Stata) and qualitative (e.g., Dedoose, NVivo) analysis tools
  • General knowledge of education policy and specific knowledge in one or more of the following content areas: Artificial intelligence in education or social, emotional, and academic development (SEAD).

COMPENSATION
The pay for this role ranges from $21-24/hour for graduate students and $25-30/hour for doctoral students. To maintain equity within our intern pay scale, we do not negotiate on intern pay rates; pay rates for internships are primarily determined based on level of education. Sick leave is accrued in this role.
TO APPLY:
EdTrust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Qualified candidates please apply via ADP, including submitting an updated resume.