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Internship Public Policy Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

BusPatrol

Director of Public Policy

Austin, TX · On-site +1

$225K - $250K/yr

... Public Policy and Government Relations. This role is ideal for someone with strong political ... Conduct state-by-state policy research and analysis to identify differences in laws and regulations.

BusPatrol

Director of Public Policy

Austin, TX · On-site +1

$114K - $140K/yr

... Public Policy and Government Relations. This role is ideal for someone with strong political ... Conduct state-by-state policy research and analysis to identify differences in laws and regulations.

Sun King

We are seeking a Research Associate to support the VP for Public Policy & Government Relations. This role will play a critical part in advancing our engagement on energy access, electrification, and ...

company951

Intern, Public Policy

Kansas City, MO · On-site

$15/hr

This internship includes both independent work and opportunities for collaborative projects and ... community research for reporting • Database management • Website content monitoring and ...

City of New York

Policy Director, Housing

Manhattan, NY · Hybrid

$129K - $158K/yr

... public policy research and analysis in government, nonprofit organization, academia, or a related ... area; or a satisfactory combination of education and experience equivalent to the above. RESEARCH ...

company951

Manager, Public Policy

Kansas City, MO · On-site

$55K/yr

... o Research Chamber policy positions and collaboration opportunities with relevant stakeholders and partners. o Represent the other Manager, Public Policy, at Kansas City, MO City Council meetings ...

City of New York

Policy Director, Housing

Manhattan, NY · Hybrid

$129K - $158K/yr

... public policy research and analysis in government, nonprofit organization, academia, or a related ... area; or a satisfactory combination of education and experience equivalent to the above. RESEARCH ...

Braven

Head of Public Policy

Washington, DC · On-site

$134K - $164K/yr

... research, materials, and talking points, and, if needed, represent Braven in key coalitions and ... policy internships * Grow and lead a coalition of organizations in the college-to-career space

Braven

Head of Public Policy

Newark, NJ · On-site

$123K - $151K/yr

... research, materials, and talking points, and, if needed, represent Braven in key coalitions and ... policy internships * Grow and lead a coalition of organizations in the college-to-career space

Braven

Head of Public Policy

New York, NY · On-site

$129K - $158K/yr

... research, materials, and talking points, and, if needed, represent Braven in key coalitions and ... policy internships * Grow and lead a coalition of organizations in the college-to-career space

Braven

Head of Public Policy

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$114K - $139K/yr

... research, materials, and talking points, and, if needed, represent Braven in key coalitions and ... policy internships * Grow and lead a coalition of organizations in the college-to-career space

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How much do internship public policy research jobs pay per month?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average monthly pay for internship public policy research in the United States is $6,439.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $4,416.67 and $7,666.67 per month, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an internship in public policy research?

An Internship in Public Policy Research is a temporary position for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in analyzing, developing, and evaluating public policies. Interns typically work with think tanks, government agencies, or advocacy organizations to assist with data collection, policy analysis, report writing, and event organization. This role helps individuals build skills in research, critical thinking, and communication, while learning about the policymaking process and current public issues. Such internships are valuable stepping stones for careers in government, non-profits, or academia.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect during an internship in public policy research?

As a Public Policy Research intern, you will typically assist with collecting and analyzing data, preparing policy briefs, and supporting the development of reports on current legislative issues. You may also participate in stakeholder meetings, contribute to literature reviews, and help organize outreach or advocacy events. Interns often work under the guidance of senior policy analysts or researchers, giving you the opportunity to learn about real-world policy processes and gain experience collaborating with diverse teams in a fast-paced environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship public policy researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Public Policy Researcher, you need strong analytical abilities, research skills, and a background in political science, public policy, or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis tools, policy databases, and presentation software such as Excel, SPSS, or Tableau is typically required. Attention to detail, written communication, and initiative are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for producing accurate policy analysis, clear reports, and impactful recommendations to inform decision-making.

What is the difference between Internship Public Policy Research vs Public Policy Analyst?

AspectInternship Public Policy ResearchPublic Policy Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate, some knowledge of policy or research methodsBachelor's or master's degree in public policy, political science, or related field
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in government, think tanks, or NGOsFull-time role in government agencies, think tanks, or consulting firms
Employer & Industry UsageInternship programs for students or entry-level candidatesProfessional role for those analyzing and developing policies

Internship Public Policy Research positions are entry-level, often held by students or recent graduates gaining experience. Public Policy Analysts are full-time professionals responsible for analyzing, developing, and evaluating policies. While internships focus on learning and supporting research, analysts take on more responsibility in policy formulation and decision-making.

What cities are hiring for Internship Public Policy Research jobs?

Cities with the most Internship Public Policy Research job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Public Policy Research jobs?

The most popular types of Public Policy Research jobs are:

What states have the most Internship Public Policy Research jobs?

States with the most job openings for Internship Public Policy Research jobs include:

Internship Public Policy Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Public Policy Research job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,274 per year, or $37.2 per hour.

Assistant Specialist (Director, Industrial & Energy Policy Research) - 2035 Initiative, Institute fo

Santa Barbara, CA • On-site

University of California Santa Barbara
5 - 10K employees

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Position description
Through the UCSB Institute for Energy Efficiency, the 2035 Initiative is seeking an Assistant Specialist (Director, Industrial Energy Policy Research) who will work closely with Principal Investigators, researchers, and the 2035 Initiative's Director on domestic and international projects. The 2035 Initiative brings together engineers and social scientists to clean up our energy systems and address the climate crisis. We use cutting-edge empirical research, policy development, and media engagement to support transformational policy change in the United States and across the planet. We are looking for a mission-driven Director, Industrial Energy Policy Research with deep expertise in energy and climate policy research, strong project management capabilities, and the ability to work effectively across engineering and social science teams. The Director, Industrial Energy Policy Research will serve as a key intellectual contributor and operational anchor for the Initiative's research portfolio-leading and managing projects from inception through publication, coordinating across internal and external collaborators, and helping translate empirical findings into actionable policy recommendations.
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Manage a portfolio of technical and policy research projects end-to-end, including scoping, milestone planning, coordination across research teams, and delivery of final products on time and to a high standard
  • Lead and co-author policy research reports, working papers, and memos on topics including industrial decarbonization, clean energy policy, and regulatory strategy, translating complex empirical findings for policy and public audiences
  • Coordinate multi-disciplinary project teams composed of faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students, providing direction, feedback, and day-to-day oversight
  • Contribute substantively to technical and policy analyses, including collecting and processing energy, political, and regulatory data at the global, national, and state levels
  • Design and conduct quantitative and qualitative research, including survey research, to assess the policy landscape and public or stakeholder attitudes on climate and energy issues
  • Provide statistical analysis and coding support for Initiative research projects, primarily in R and/or Python
  • Collaborate with engineering and social science research teams to ensure technical analysis is policy-relevant and that findings are communicated clearly to non-technical audiences
  • Present research findings to government clients, policy audiences, and partner organizations
  • Engage with external stakeholders, policy advocates, and partner organizations as relevant to ongoing research projects
  • Broadly lend support to the Initiative team where needed and tackle special projects where appropriate

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, economics, environmental science, environmental studies, data science, statistics, or a related field.
Preferred qualifications
Advanced degree (PhD or Master's) in political science, public policy,
environmental policy, or a related social science or environmental
field
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-component research projects involving multiple collaborators, timelines, and deliverables
  • Substantial experience contributing to and leading policy research on climate, energy, or environmental topics, including authorship of published reports or peer-reviewed work
  • Experience coordinating and providing direction to teams of researchers, including graduate and undergraduate students
  • Proficiency in statistical programming (R and/or Python) for data analysis and visualization
  • Knowledge of industrial decarbonization strategies and policy pathways, including clean heat, electrification, and emerging energy technologies
  • Knowledge of U.S. and international clean energy policy landscapes, regulatory frameworks, and political dynamics
  • Experience designing and analyzing survey or other empirical research to assess attitudes or behavior related to energy or climate policy
  • Ability to manage a diverse portfolio of responsibilities simultaneously with rigor, speed, and attention to detail
  • Strong written communication skills, with experience producing policy memos, public-facing reports, and similar content
  • Experience presenting research findings to government, policy, or public audiences
  • Experience engaging with external partners, advocates, or stakeholders in a research or policy context

Application Requirements
Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
  • Cover Letter
  • Writing Sample - A policy report, working paper, or published article of which you are the lead or sole author

Reference requirements
  • 2-3 required (contact information only)

Please provide the names and complete contact information for at least 2 references. In the event the applicant is selected as the finalist, the committee may contact the references before making their final selection.
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03117
Help contact: madeleineforrest@ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
  • "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs , as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Job location
Santa Barbara, California

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