Research Intern Jobs in District of Columbia
Research Intern jobs in District of Columbia concentrate in federal policy, public health, think tanks, and international affairs, making D.C. one of the most active markets in the country for early-career researchers at every level from undergraduate to post-graduate fellow. Most hiring centers on Washington itself, where institutions such as the Brookings Institution, the Pew Research Center, and the National Institutes of Health maintain a steady demand for research support. The most in-demand specialties include policy analysis, social science research, and public health data work. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 6+ Research Intern jobs
JOB SUMMARY
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.
The Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics provides unmatched thought leadership for the Washington policy community by examining China's economy and its commercial relationship with the United States and the rest of the world. We go beyond the headlines to examine China's macroeconomy, trends in industrial policy and specific high-tech sectors, its trade and investment, the energy transition, U.S.-China relations, and China's role in global economic governance. Our analysis is shared with the policy community, business leaders, scholars, and the public through reports and commentaries, interactive digital content, and events. We generate new conversations among stakeholders in the United States, China, and other countries by convening discussions on the factors influencing their decisions.
The Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics is seeking a part-time paid research intern who can provide dedicated support for research and analysis, during the period from early September to mid-December 2026. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, professional, and have a strong interest in China's economy, industrial policy, and clean tech. The research intern supports the program's research agenda, publications, events, and promotional activities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Carrying out quantitative and qualitative research on China's industrial policy and specific sectors. This involves collecting data from firms, industries, and government of China and elsewhere.
- Assisting in collecting and organizing data including but not limited to macroeconomic, trade, and financial data for China and other major economies.
- Writing event summaries.
- Drafting text and creating figures for program promotion, such as newsletters and social media content.
- Providing logistical and administrative support for projects and events.
- Performing a variety of other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE
- Must demonstrate academic or professional background in China's economy, political economy, international trade and finance, and/or clean technology.
- Must have strong Chinese language skills and preferably experience in working with Chinese language sources.
- Must be at least a current undergraduate senior. Current graduate students preferred. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent from a non-U.S. institution.
- Must be eligible to work in the United States.
- Must be able to work on-site and commit to 20 hours per week.
- Must have strong research, analysis, writing, and communication skills.
- Must have familiarity with Excel as well as data collection, cleaning, and visualization experience.
- Must have the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
- Must have the ability to manage competing priorities and multiple projects under tight deadlines.
- Data analysis and web scraping skills are a plus.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applications are due on Friday, July 19, and should be submitted through the CSIS Careers & Culture portal. The review process will continue until the position is filled. All applicants must submit the following documents, as a single PDF file under the "Resume" field:
- Resume
- Cover letter.
- A writing sample (max 5 pages) related to China's economy, economic policy or international commercial relations.
- Academic transcript (official or unofficial).
- Contact info for 3 references (name, title, affiliation, email address, and phone number).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
JOB SUMMARY
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.
The Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics provides unmatched thought leadership for the Washington policy community by examining China's economy and its commercial relationship with the United States and the rest of the world. We go beyond the headlines to examine China's macroeconomy, trends in industrial policy and specific high-tech sectors, its trade and investment, the energy transition, U.S.-China relations, and China's role in global economic governance. Our analysis is shared with the policy community, business leaders, scholars, and the public through reports and commentaries, interactive digital content, and events. We generate new conversations among stakeholders in the United States, China, and other countries by convening discussions on the factors influencing their decisions.
The Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics is seeking a part-time paid research intern who can provide dedicated support for research and analysis, during the period from early September to mid-December 2026. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, professional, and have a strong interest in China's economy, industrial policy, and clean tech. The research intern supports the program's research agenda, publications, events, and promotional activities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Carrying out quantitative and qualitative research on China's industrial policy and specific sectors. This involves collecting data from firms, industries, and government of China and elsewhere.
- Assisting in collecting and organizing data including but not limited to macroeconomic, trade, and financial data for China and other major economies.
- Writing event summaries.
- Drafting text and creating figures for program promotion, such as newsletters and social media content.
- Providing logistical and administrative support for projects and events.
- Performing a variety of other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE
- Must demonstrate academic or professional background in China's economy, political economy, international trade and finance, and/or clean technology.
- Must have strong Chinese language skills and preferably experience in working with Chinese language sources.
- Must be at least a current undergraduate senior. Current graduate students preferred. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent from a non-U.S. institution.
- Must be eligible to work in the United States.
- Must be able to work on-site and commit to 20 hours per week.
- Must have strong research, analysis, writing, and communication skills.
- Must have familiarity with Excel as well as data collection, cleaning, and visualization experience.
- Must have the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
- Must have the ability to manage competing priorities and multiple projects under tight deadlines.
- Data analysis and web scraping skills are a plus.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applications are due on Friday, July 19, and should be submitted through the CSIS Careers & Culture portal. The review process will continue until the position is filled. All applicants must submit the following documents, as a single PDF file under the "Resume" field:
- Resume
- Cover letter.
- A writing sample (max 5 pages) related to China's economy, economic policy or international commercial relations.
- Academic transcript (official or unofficial).
- Contact info for 3 references (name, title, affiliation, email address, and phone number).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
See All 6 Research Intern Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Intern JobsResearch Intern Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Intern Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research intern jobs across District of Columbia.
- Current enrollment or recent graduation from an accredited college or university program
- Demonstrated experience with quantitative or qualitative research methods and data analysis
- Proficiency in research tools such as SPSS, Stata, R, or Python for data work
- Strong written communication skills for preparing policy briefs or research summaries
- Familiarity with federal policy processes, regulatory frameworks, or public sector research environments
- Ability to obtain a background check or security clearance where federal access is required
Research Intern Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research intern in District of Columbia?
Research intern roles in District of Columbia do not require a state-issued license, but competitive candidates typically hold enrollment in or a degree from a recognized university program in social sciences, public policy, economics, or a related field. D.C. employers strongly favor candidates with coursework or project experience tied to federal policy areas, public health, or international affairs. Applying directly to think tanks, federal agencies, and D.C.-based nonprofits is the most common path.
Which companies hire research interns in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring research interns in District of Columbia right now include AARP, THE EDUCATION TRUST, and Children's National Hospital, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. D.C.'s dense concentration of federal contractors, policy institutes, and health agencies means new cohorts of research intern openings appear throughout the year, not just in summer cycles.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most research intern jobs?
The cities with the most research intern openings in District of Columbia are Washington. Washington itself drives the overwhelming share of demand given its federal agencies, major think tanks, and international organizations, while adjacent areas in the broader D.C. metro benefit from the spillover of large government contractors and health research campuses headquartered just outside the city limits.
Are there remote research intern jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than many fields, since much research intern work centers on literature reviews, data analysis, and writing tasks that translate well to remote settings. About 75% of research intern openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of the role. Policy writing, data coding, and background research assignments are the parts of the job most commonly performed fully remotely.
How can I get hired as a research intern in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to structured internship cohorts run by D.C.-based federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Urban Institute, or the Congressional Research Service, which regularly accept applicants with limited prior experience. A well-documented class research project, a senior thesis, or a writing portfolio demonstrating analytical work gives candidates a strong edge. Adjacent roles such as research assistant, data entry associate, or program assistant at a D.C. nonprofit are common lateral starting points.
Where can I find and apply to research intern jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to research intern jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across D.C. employers. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and interests, and apply directly through each listing without any additional steps required on the platform.
See All 6 Research Intern Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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