PolicyLab Intern

• 10-12 hours per week (flexible schedule for independent work)
  • Ability to travel to Salt Lake City once per week during the 2027 legislative session.

Is this a work study job? No

VP Area

VP Area President

Department

Location

Location Other

City

City Lehi, UT

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range

Pay Rate Range $15.00 /Hr

Close Date

Close Date 11/27/2026

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

Job Summary

Policy Lab serves as a core component of the Nucleus Institute’s mission, bridging frontier research and state governance to deliver clear, actionable guidance to Utah’s Legislature. This selective internship is designed to cultivate the next generation of policy leaders, immersing students in the full arc of the legislative process while distilling expert scientific knowledge into real-world policy impact.

Program Structure and Commitment:

• This is a paid hourly position at $15 an hour.
• Interns are encouraged to work with their academic advisors to arrange for school credit based on their university’s requirements.
• Interns must remain students for the duration of the internship.

Responsibilities

Policy Lab interns engage in a specialized, two-semester program. Responsibilities include observing the legislative process firsthand, contributing to a long-term research agenda, and executing independent policy projects. Strong research and writing skills, an aptitude for systems thinking, and a commitment to translating scientific expertise into actionable legislative solutions are essential.

Key Responsibilities and Learning Objectives:

• Framework Mastery: Complete training in foundational policy frameworks, including systems thinking, wicked problems, and deliberative democracy.
• Legislative Learning: Connect with local lawmakers to gain firsthand understanding of state policy making.
• Research Infrastructure: Design, build, and maintain a comprehensive research database system for tracking tech innovation policy developments across various jurisdictions (local, state, national, international).
• Data and Analysis: Create stakeholder mapping tools, develop standardized templates for research briefs, and gain competence in research workflow and citation management systems.
• Applied Policy Research: Conduct comparative policy analysis (e.g., AI regulation approaches), support evidence-based policy research through data collection, policy design thinking, and policy evaluation.
• Cohort Leadership & Knowledge Sharing: Serve as a mentor and transition lead by training incoming interns, thoroughly documenting research workflows, and ensuring the program’s sustained operational success.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, or equivalency.
• Current undergraduate and graduate students attending a Utah institution of higher education. We encourage students from all majors to apply.
• Strong research and writing skills with the ability to synthesize complex information accurately and concisely.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive, self-driven, and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with research databases and tools.
• Genuine interest in technology policy and innovation shaping Utah’s future.
• Availability to commit to 10-12 hours per week for the duration of the internship.

Preferences

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at  for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving…